Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Aderholt voted ‘Yes’ on the SAVE America Act, which passed through the House of Representatives.

The SAVE America Act requires proof of citizenship when registering to vote in federal elections and strengthens election integrity standards.

“I am proud to have voted ‘Yes’ on the SAVE America Act to ensure that American elections are fair and free. We need to restore confidence in our voters and integrity in our elections, because it’s common-sense that American elections should be decided by American voters, and American voters only,” said Congressman Aderholt.

The Pew Research Center shows that 83% of Americans support requiring all voters to show government issued photo identification.

Americans need to use a photo I.D. to check into hotels, buy alcohol or tobacco, open a bank account, board a flight, donate blood, buy cold medicine. The SAVE America Act would simply add “voting in a federal election” to that list.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

U.S. Senator Angus King (I-ME) and U.S. Representative Chellie Pingree (D-ME) are demanding answers to their unanswered questions regarding the recent surge of Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) activity in Maine. In a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting Director of ICE Todd Lyons, the members of the Maine Delegation called for a detailed explanation and update about ICE’s presence in Maine, including what their mission is and who they are targeting.

The letter comes on the heels of ICE’s enforcement actions in Maine, inappropriately called “Operation Catch of the Day,” which began nearly three weeks ago. Since its start, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has provided no formal information on the people arrested and their legal status beyond a list of 19 people on its website. Meanwhile, DHS claims that several hundred people have been detained.

“We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine. It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine,” the lawmakers began. 

The lawmakers continued, “On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement. While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE.”

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

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Dear Secretary Noem and Director Todd Lyons:

We write to request your prompt response to our outstanding questions regarding Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) recent surge in activity in Maine.

It has been 22 days since the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that ICE would launch “Operation Catch of the Day” (OCOTD) in Maine. The January 20, 2026, announcement from DHS stated that this operation was “an immigration enforcement effort across the state of Maine targeting the worst of the worst criminal illegal aliens who have terrorized communities.” ICE officials told the media in Maine that the target for the operation was 1,400 individuals and that roughly 200 individuals have reportedly been apprehended thus far. The DHS website “Worst of the Worst” lists only 19 individuals apprehended in Maine.

On January 29, 2026, we learned from Senator Collins that Secretary Noem would be halting the operation; however, we have not seen any written correspondence corroborating this announcement.

While state and municipal leaders along with stakeholders in Maine have reported a reduction in ICE’s presence related to this recent surge—absent a formal notice from DHS of the end of the operation—we have outstanding questions regarding the scope of this operation as detailed in various correspondence with the Legislative Affairs offices of DHS and ICE. To address these urgent concerns, we request that you provide answers to the following questions and information requests by Wednesday, February 18, 2026:

1. Please confirm whether Operation Catch of the Day is ongoing in Maine?
   1. Please clarify if the operation has been completely halted, reduced, or has not yet changed?
   2. If it has only been reduced, please detail the current scope and nature of this operation?
   3. What further information can ICE provide regarding any ongoing activity?
2. What is the objective of launching “OCOTD” in Maine?
3. Which individuals are being targeted?
4. How many DHS/ICE (any federal) agents were deployed to Maine specificallyfor “OCOTD?”
   1. How many additional agents have arrived to Maine for this operation?
   2. What agencies did they represent?
5. What is the total number of arrests made to date (from the time you are responding to this inquiry) as part of OCOTD?
   1. Barring any legal restrictions, please provide a name and justification for each criminal arrest—such as what is posted on DHS’ “Worst of the Worst” website and clarify whether the individual has been convicted of or just charged with the crime listed?
   2. Where are detainees apprehended in this operation being taken (please list name of states and facilities)?
   3. Among those arrested, do any have final removal orders?
   4. Among those arrested, how many have criminal convictions verses criminal charges
   5. How many discretionary arrests of asylum seekers?
   6. How many arrests are of refugees whom US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have decided to re-interview?
6. Please share where and how ICE compiled its list of “1,400 targets” for OCOTD?
7. Why are detainees of OCOTD who are asylum seekers, those without a criminal record, and waiting to appear before an immigration judge, being taken into custody?
8. There have been numerous arrests of individuals without criminal records—what is the justification for these arrests? This is contrary to the DHS statement that the objective of OCOTD is to arrest the “worst of the worst.”
   1. How is ICE classifying “the worst of the worst?”
   2. Does this include those with parking citations, for example?
9. Are there any concurrent, separate operation(s) and/or targets being pursued in tandem with OCOTD?
   1. If so, please what are those operation(s)?
   2. Are there any U.S. citizens on ICE’s target list in Maine?
10. It appears the individuals who have been listed in DHS’s announcement about “Operation Catch of the Day” do not also appear on the “”Worst of the Worst” website under Maine arrests, despite being characterized as “worst of the worst”? Please explain.

We have repeatedly asked for this basic information over the past three weeks. Senator King made request on January 23; Congresswoman Pingree sent you a letter with a similar series of questions on January 22; and further, we have jointly requested to be briefed on your agency’s operation—all with no response. We expect answers to the questions posed here, as well as responses to our previous inquiries, within a week, as congressional oversight is not optional. 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter. 

Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement after successfully forcing and winning a House vote to terminate Trump’s national emergency declaration and tariffs on Canada.

“Last year, American families paid nearly $1,700 more as a direct result of Trump’s tariffs. The price of goods from Canada rose by as much as 35%, while U.S. exports to Canada fell by 21%, further harming U.S. small businesses and farmers. The American people sent us to Congress to lower their cost of living, not drive it up.

“For months, Republicans blocked a vote on Trump’s illegal tariffs, choosing procedural games over their responsibility to the people they represent. Today, Democrats, joined by several Republicans, were able to force that vote and put Republicans on record. The question was simple: stand with working families and lower costs, or keep prices high out of loyalty to Donald Trump? House Democrats will continue fighting to lower costs, even if most Republicans won’t.” 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), Congressman Chip Roy (R-Texas), and election integrity advocates in a press conference celebrating House passage of the SAVE America Act. 

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
Leader Scalise’s remarks:“Thank you, Chip. I appreciate your leadership and all the people up here, and especially those friends from the outside world that have been focusing on this for a long time.“The House of Representatives, led by Republicans, came together tonight and said, we will protect the sanctity of your vote. It’s so important. You think about the military veteran who risked his life overseas to defend our freedoms, and he comes back home, and his vote will be stolen if somebody’s able to vote illegally. It happens. I come from a state where our elections commissioner was sent to federal prison. We all know it goes on, and how can you protect it?“Then, when you listen to the arguments by the Democrats, it was some of the most embarrassing, hypocritical debate you could hear. They’re talking about voter suppression. Well, let me tell you, and it’s been brought up, try getting on an airplane and flying home tonight without showing a picture ID. Try going into a bar without showing a picture ID. Try getting into the Democrat National Convention without showing an ID. They required it. The same Democrats that are saying things like ‘Jim Crow’ said you have to have an ID to get into their own convention because they know it’s common sense if you want to have a secure operation in anything, and elections are the most important franchise we have in America to protect democracy.“So, yes, we had a really important vote. Great to see one Democrat. Really perplexing why every other Democrat — you wanted to support voter fraud. That’s really what you’re supporting if you voted no tonight. You’re saying you’re okay with voter fraud, and that’s a disgrace. Look at states that have done this. Georgia, they said all those same things, by the way, in the state of Georgia, that passed a voter ID requirement. What happened in the next election after? You had actually higher voter participation…“So you will increase confidence amongst legal voters with this provision. And that’s why it’s so important that the Senate take this up and find a way to get it to President Trump’s desk. President Trump wants this bill on his desk so he can sign it into law and give even stronger protections to all Americans, over 80% who strongly want the protection of the sanctity of their vote.”

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

WASHINGTON — Following House passage of the SAVE America Act, Speaker Johnson hosted a press conference alongside House Republican Leadership, House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, Congressman Chip Roy, and election integrity advocates from around the country.

Speaker Johnson highlighted that all but one House Democrat voted against protecting the integrity of American elections and encouraged Senate Democrats to vote for this commonsense legislation supported by more than 80% of the American people.

“Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote; everyone in the country understands the necessity of that and understands how simple it is and how important it is,” Speaker Johnson said. “And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system, who want to participate in our elections illegally unlawfully.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s press conference remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

Good evening, everybody. This was a very important night on the House Floor. House Republicans tonight stood with the overwhelming majority of Americans who demand secure elections. Standing with me are some of the champions of this cause in the House and some of the leaders outside our Chamber who’ve been working on this issue to ensure this integrity for quite some time. And this is a big achievement tonight by voting for the SAVE America Act.

House Republicans did exactly what the American people sent us here to do. It’s promises made, promises kept. Ensuring the integrity of elections is an essential issue. It’s essential to maintaining our constitutional republic. And everybody in this country seems to understand and agree to that. This is about a 90/10 issue in the polling because all that we’ve done tonight in this simple piece of legislation is apply common sense. 

All this SAVE America Act does is it enhances the SAVE act, which you’ve already passed twice before, which says that you have to have proof of citizenship before you register to vote in federal elections. The law already provides for that, but we need to ensure that it’s enforced. And the second part of it, what we added tonight and what is part of the SAVE America Act is the second piece, the very commonsense requirement that you have a photo ID if you’re going to vote. So that’s it, that’s what the bill does. Proof of citizenship and photo ID to vote. Everyone in the country understands the necessity of that, understands how simple it is and how important it is. And the only people that oppose it are people who want to cheat our system, who want to participate in our elections illegally unlawfully. 

And that’s not fair to the American people and the citizens of this country. And so, we had only one House Democrat participate with us tonight. This has become a bitter partisan fight in its madness to us. We can’t quite understand what the rationale is for opposing a free and fair election, but they’re going to have to explain this to the people, and they’re going to have a hard time doing that. Now, this bill, having passed the House, will now go to the Senate, and we are encouraging all of our Senate Republican colleagues who believe in this just as we do, to try to get this thing through the system to pass it there. And we’re hoping that some Democrats in the Senate will come to their senses and do the right thing for the people. Otherwise, they got a lot of explaining to do, as we say down in the South. 

This is something that is overdue. It’s something that’s common sense. It’s something that comports with what the American people want. And there’s really just one question that would linger over all this. Now, will Senate Democrats continue to cater to their extreme left-wing base or are they going to finally join the overwhelming majority of Americans on this commonsense reform?

But I’ll tell you this, once again, Republicans have demonstrated that we are the party of common sense. We are the party that’s delivering exactly what the American people sent us here to do. And we will continue that.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted for the ‘‘Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act’,” also known as the ‘”SAVE America Act.” The legislation, which Rep. Kelly co-sponsored, would uphold and strengthen current law by permitting only U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections.

Kelly previously supported the SAVE Act when it passed the House in 2025. Today’s vote includes new language to strengthen voter ID requirements, which are supported by 83% of Americans.

“The SAVE Act ensures only American citizens are allowed to vote in American elections. The legislation also includes critical voter ID requires that will strengthen our elections across the board. Free and fair elections are a cornerstone of our democracy,” said Rep. Kelly.

BACKGROUND

The SAVE America Act would protect and preserve the right of American citizens to vote by:

• Requiring individuals to present an eligible photo identification document before voting. (NEW)
• Requiring states to obtain proof of citizenship – in person – when registering an individual to vote. (From original SAVE Act)
• Requiring states to remove non-citizens from existing voter rolls. (From original SAVE Act)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Votes for SAVE America Act, Supports Election Integrity

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Eviction Helpline Act Would Establish National Hotline for Eviction-Related Assistance; Helping More Families Save Act Would Modernize HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency Program

Helping More Families Save Bill Text | Eviction Helpline Bill Text

WASHINGTON – This week, the House passed two bills championed by Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) that would strengthen eviction protections and help families receiving federal housing assistance achieve financial independence. The Eviction Helpline Act and Helping More Families Save Act passed the House as part of the bipartisan Housing for the 21^st Century Act.

“The housing crisis is burdening folks across the country, and it is past time that our laws reflect the basic necessity of a safe, affordable, stable home,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “For those who know how destabilizing evictions can be, or who are burdened by the weight of financial inequity and insecurity, this legislation is for you.”

The Eviction Helpline Act would require the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish and promote a national hotline so that households can receive access to the eviction-related assistance they need and get help even before an eviction is filed. Bill text is accessible here.

The Helping More Families Save Act would modernize and expand HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program for low-income families and empower them to achieve financial stability through financial literacy, job training, and childcare. Bill text is available here.

Congresswoman Pressley discussed these two bills during the Committee’s markup of the 21^st Century Housing Act, citing the eviction crisis in towns like Randolph in the Massachusetts 7^th Congressional District and the success of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program in Massachusetts.

Last month, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congresswomen Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) held the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ (CPC) Lowering Costs Taskforce’s first shadow hearing, titled “Building the New American Dream: Lowering Housing Costs for All.” The shadow hearing brought together housing experts and CPC Members to advance solutions to lower costs by building more affordable, public, and market-rate housing; cracking down on corporate and landlord greed; and expanding federal assistance for low-income families.

As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.

• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-35) and 52 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling on him to rescind a recent HUD decision to slash essential Continuum of Care (CoC) program funding. 
• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act, legislation to promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.
• In May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley celebrated the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood in Somerville.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium. 
• On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so. 
• On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis. 
• In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
• On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology. 
• In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.

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