Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Just two days before the start of open enrollment for the Affordable Care Act and Republicans’ cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) take effect, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) convened social media influencers and digital creators for a virtual briefing to discuss where things stand, how to end the shutdown, and what’s at stake for working families across the country. 

Participants included creators and organizers representing millions of followers on TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube. The conversation centered on the ongoing impacts of the shutdown, including the looming suspension of federal food assistance and skyrocketing health care premiums after the expiration of enhanced ACA subsidies. 

“As the government shutdown enters its 30th day, digital creators are helping cut through the noise and tell the truth about what’s really happening in Washington, which is why I convened a select group of influencers and organizers for a briefing,” said Rep. Gomez. “In just two days, on November 1st, open enrollment begins, and millions of working class families will see their health care premiums skyrocket because Republicans let key tax credits expire, and SNAP benefits will run out for 42 million Americans — parents, kids, seniors, and workers who won’t be able to afford groceries. I will keep meeting with anyone willing to listen and exposing the false choice being presented to the American people by Trump and congressional Republicans who have a track record of disdain for programs like SNAP, WIC, Medicare and Medi-Cal.” 

The session also covered how creators are using their platforms to cut through misinformation and hold Republican policymakers accountable for the prolonged crisis. Creators and influencers like Sidney Raskind, Maggie Reed, Dr. Ilan Shapiro, Dyna Edyne, — representing millions of followers across platforms— joined in for the briefing.

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

WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Speaker Johnson appeared on CNN’s Inside Politics with Dana Bash and Fox News’ The Story with Martha MacCallum to discuss how Congressional Democrats have had 14 opportunities to fully fund SNAP and WIC benefits for American families but have refused each opportunity and instead voted to keep the government closed.

“There’s a very important point that everyone needs to understand. Republicans have voted 14 times to provide SNAP benefits, military pay, veterans’ health services, nutrition assistance for young women, the disabled, and the elderly. We’ve done it 14 times. The Democrats have voted 14 times to block all of that,” Speaker Johnson said.

Watch Speaker Johnson on CNN here, on Fox News here.

On public opinion turning against Congressional Democrats:

The reason that our numbers are rising is because we are articulating the simple truth. What [Rep. Stansbury] said is absurd and even CNN had to say wait a minute, that’s not right. They are the ones that have voted now, between the House and the Senate, 14 times to close the government and impose all this pain on the American people. It’s the Republicans voting over and over to keep the government open. I think there is a break coming, I think the dynamic will change. I certainly hope so; we pray that’s true. That the Democrats will continue to feel the pressure from the American people, from all these voices, even in the moderate and center-Left, like the unions who are saying please do the right thing, stop playing games, you are hurting real Americans and break that impasse. We are appealing to whatever moderate and centrist Democrats are left in the Senate to do the right thing, put the politics aside, do the right thing for the people so we can get about our work here again and get the government open.

On Congressional Republicans repeatedly voting to fully fund SNAP and WIC benefits:

There’s a very important point that everyone needs to understand. Republicans have voted 14 times to provide SNAP benefits, military pay, veterans’ health services, nutrition assistance for young women, the disabled, the elderly. We’ve done it 14 times. The Democrats have voted 14 times to block all of that. We need to do all of those things simultaneously. You have to pay the troops, you have to pay Border Patrol, TSA agents and air traffic controllers and everybody else. All of these things need to be done, not just part of them. The White House has bent over backwards to try to mitigate and reduce the pain as much as possible. We’ve gotten troops paid for part of October, but those funds are running out. We got WIC funding, women, infants, and children nutrition programs, funded thanks to the President. But that money’s running out as well. This is very real. The pain is very serious, and Democrats are playing games with this.

On Democrats calling for “negotiations” while the government remains closed:

There’s no deal to be made. Remember, the CR does not have Trump or Republican priorities on it at all. There’s nothing we can pull off of that to make it more palatable for the Democrats. I would’ve done that a long time ago. But we operated in good faith from day one. Back in September, on September 19, we voted for a clean, nonpartisan CR. It’s only 24 pages in length. It just says keep everything at status quo so we can all finish our jobs here. The Democrats rejected it for the first time in their lives. They did the same type of CR, voted for it 13 times during the Biden Administration. The only reason they did it right now is because they’re afraid of the rise of the Far-Left Marxists in their party. And they have to show them that they’re going to fight even while real people are hurting during this political game, this showmanship. Chuck Schumer’s trying to save his own political hide in New York. And he’s willing to put the American people through this great hardship for that reason alone. And it is shocking to us.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

  Washington, D.C. (October 30, 2025)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Sen. Dick Durbin, Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Sen. Alex Padilla, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Border Security and Immigration, issued the following statement in response to the Trump Administration’s decision to slash refugee admissions to 7,500—almost entirely limited to white South Africans—without the legally required consultation with Congress:  

“The Trump Administration just announced that it will gut the United States’ refugee admissions program—slashing the annual cap to a mere 7,500 refugees, an astonishing 94% cut over last year and the lowest level in our nation’s history. To add insult to injury, the Administration is skipping over the tens of thousands of refugees who have been waiting in line for years in dire circumstances to come to the United States and it is instead prioritizing a single privileged racial group—white South African Afrikaners—for these severely limited slots.  

“This bizarre presidential determination is not only morally indefensible, it is illegal and invalid. The Administration has brazenly ignored the statutory requirement to consult with the House and Senate Judiciary Committees before setting the annual refugee admissions ceiling. That process exists to ensure that decisions of such great consequence reflect our nation’s values, our humanitarian commitments, and the rule of law, not the racial preferences or political whims of any one president.  

“The reason for this evasion is evident: the Administration knows it cannot defend its egregious policy before Congress or the American people. While nearly 130,000 vetted, approved refugees—men, women, and children fleeing persecution and violence—wait in limbo after being promised a chance at safety, Donald Trump is looking to turn refugee admissions into another political giveaway for his pet projects and infatuations.  

“We reject this announcement as both unlawful and contrary to America’s longstanding commitment to offer refuge to the persecuted. To twist our refugee policy into a partisan straightjacket is to betray both our legal obligations and our moral identity as a nation.”  

###  

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

Congressman Allen Visits Golden Harvest Food Bank in Augusta

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) has been working hard to support federal workers, contractors, and constituents affected by the ongoing government shutdown. These headlines tell the story:

ALXnow: Beyer Shares Resources For Federal Workers Affected By Government Shutdown

WUSA9: Virginia Congressman Proposes Bill To Help Furloughed Employees

Government Executive: House Dems Urge Utilities To Keep Lights On For Feds Amid Shutdown

“The lawmakers, led by Reps. Don Beyer, D-Va., and Sarah Elfreth, D-Md., encouraged power, water and internet service providers in a letter to hold federal employees and contractors harmless for the duration of the appropriations lapse.”

ALXnow: Rep. Beyer Says Federal Workers Guaranteed Back Pay Despite Trump Administration Memo

[PICTURED RIGHT] New York Times: ‘No Idea How Long People Can Hold Out’: Federal Workers Feel Brunt of Shutdown

“Representative Don Beyer, a Northern Virginia Democrat, was among the two dozen volunteers loading boxes of produce and dried goods into cars.

Mr. Beyer had time to help, he said, because the House had not been in session for more than a month.

“It’s incredibly frustrating,” added Mr. Beyer, who said he was not taking a paycheck while the government was shut down, in solidarity with staff members and constituents who were not getting paid. “There are so many really important things we should be doing.” [Photo credit: Alyssa Schukar for the New York Times]

Government Executive: As White House Promises More Federal Layoffs, Democrats Say ‘We’ll See Them In Court’

Virginia Mercury: Virginia Delegation Condemns Federal Worker Firings                    

Blue Virginia: Virginia Delegation Democrats Slam White House Threat to Furloughed Workers’ Back Pay

[VIDEO] Forbes: ‘I’m Angry And I’m Heartbroken’: Don Beyer Slams ‘Sheer Meanness’ Of Trump Admin. During Shutdown

Falls Church News Press: Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Beyer, Walkinshaw, Over 60 Lawmakers Press Administration to Reinstate Furloughed Federal Workers at Agencies Unaffected by Republican Shutdown, Resume Their Pay

Richmond Times Dispatch: Va. Democrats Urge Miyares To Join Suit Over SNAP Benefits

Virginia Dogwood: Virginians Will See Health Insurance Premiums Surge If ACA Subsidies Expire

“Virginia Democrats have made preventing these premium increases a priority, while Republicans have come under attack for their unwillingness to protect Americans’ healthcare.”

ALXnow: Beyer Bill Would Let Federal Workers Tap Retirement Funds Without Penalty During Shutdown

Virginia Independent: Virginia Democratic Lawmakers Demand Trump Keep Promise To Pay Furloughed Workers

Federal News Network: ‘What Happened To All Of Our Funds?’ Passport Services Staff, Exempt From Shutdowns, Working Without Pay

“Last week, Sens. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), along with Reps. Don Beyer (D-Va.) and James Walkinshaw (D-Va.), joined more than 60 of their colleagues in calling on OMB to immediately reinstate any furloughed employees at agencies fully funded through user fees, and to resume paychecks for employees who are working without pay.”

Falls Church News Press: 53 U.S. Representatives Urge Utility Companies To Suspend Penalties And Shutoffs For Federal Workers And Contractors During Government Shutdown

ALXnow: Beyer, Warner, And Kaine Decline Pay During Shutdown

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that Democrats remain ready, willing and able to negotiate a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and lower costs as Republicans continue pushing forward their unprecedented cuts to healthcare and nutritional assistance.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day 30 of the Trump-Republican shutdown and House Republicans remain on vacation. They’ve canceled votes for five consecutive weeks. House Republicans are missing in action, yet Speaker Mike Johnson is saying the quiet part out loud. It’s extraordinary that earlier today, Mike Johnson admitted that Republicans are willing to starve hungry children in this country and take away SNAP benefits starting on November 1st so they can pressure Democrats into gutting the healthcare of the American people. That’s what Mike Johnson admitted to just a little while ago. That’s extraordinary. But it’s what we know to be the case for Republicans. From the very beginning of this presidency, cruelty has been the point, and what has been driving their policy agenda is to make life better for the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. That’s what the One Big Ugly Bill was all about. Largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Ripping food away from the mouths of children, seniors, veterans and families. And all of this was done to provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors.

And now, as we approach November 1st just two days from now the beginning of open enrollment, tens of millions of Americans, including many in the state of Louisiana, are about to experience dramatically-increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles that will bankrupt them because of Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Democrats will continue to stand up for everyday Americans, for working-class Americans and for middle-class Americans, for the poor, the sick and the afflicted, for the least, the lost and the left-behind throughout this country. We’re in this fight until we win this fight because we know we’re on the right side of this fight for the American people to protect their healthcare and to stop these cruel Republicans from ripping SNAP benefits away from the American people.

Full press availability can be watched here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Two of Congressman French Hill’s (AR-02) Arkansas-focused bills — the Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act and legislation directing the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a building in Perry County — have advanced in the Senate Agriculture Committee as part of a 13-bill lands package that passed with unanimous consent.

Rep. Hill said, “I’m proud to lead on legislation that strengthens Arkansas communities and protects the natural beauty that defines our state. The Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act fulfills a promise made more than forty years ago to protect one of our state’s most beautiful and culturally significant landscapes for future generations. Preserving Arkansas’s natural beauty has been one of my top priorities in Congress, and this bill ensures that legacy continues.

“I’m also pleased that my Perry County conveyance bill is moving forward, which will finally allow the community to put a long-vacant federal building to good use for youth, agriculture, and conservation programs. These two bills reflect Arkansas’s values of community, common sense, and preserving our state’s natural beauty for the next generation.

“I want to thank Chairman Westerman for his partnership in advancing these bills through his committee in the House, and Senator John Boozman, Chairman of the Senate Agriculture Committee, for his leadership in helping advance both of these Arkansas priorities.”

Key Provisions

Flatside Wilderness Expansion Act (H.R. 1612)

• Expands the Flatside Wilderness Area in the Ouachita National Forest by approximately 2,200 acres of existing U.S. National Forest, fulfilling the vision first set forth by Arkansas leaders in the 1984 Arkansas Wilderness Act.
• Builds on Rep. Hill’s successful 2019 effort to add 640 acres to the Flatside Wilderness, signed into law by President Trump.
• Ensures conservation of one of Arkansas’s most treasured landscapes while maintaining public access for outdoor recreation, hunting, and hiking.

Perry County U.S. Forest Service Building Conveyance

• Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to transfer ownership of a vacant 0.81-acre U.S. Forest Service property at 1069 Fourche Avenue in Perryville, Arkansas, to Perry County.
• Allows the county to use the building for community programs, including the University of Arkansas Extension Program, the Perry County Conservation District, and 4-H Youth Development.
• Supports local economic and educational opportunities while reducing federal maintenance costs for unused property.

Local Support

Both bills have received broad support from Arkansas leaders, conservation advocates, and local officials who have long worked toward these outcomes. Quotes from state and local partners follow below.

“I am grateful to Rep. French Hill, Senator John Boozman, and all of the federal partners who played a part in advancing these critical pieces of legislation. Here in the Natural State, we are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the country, and thanks to this legislation, we will be able to preserve what makes us special, educate the next generation on the importance of conservation, and continue our efforts to establish Arkansas as a leading destination for year-round outdoor adventure.”

— Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders

“By preserving these 2,200 acres within the Ouachita National Forest, the Flatside Wilderness Additions Act will protect an incredible landscape of untouched wilderness. We thank Congressman Hill for his leadership and commitment to preserving The Natural State.”

— Shea Lewis, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism and Director of State Parks

“The expansion of the Flatside Wilderness Area is a direct investment in the future of The Natural State. The AGFC’s mission is centered on conservation and stewardship, and protecting this rugged, unspoiled landscape ensures that Arkansans and visitors alike will have access to true wilderness experiences for years to come. This move is critical for biodiversity and guaranteeing the limitless opportunities for outdoor education and recreation that define our state.”

— Doug Schoenrock, Director of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission

“I want to thank Congressman Hill for his leadership on these two bills that will greatly benefit our constituents in Perry County and all of central Arkansas. Perry County is blessed with some of the prettiest scenery in all of Arkansas, and thanks to Congressman Hill, future generations will get to enjoy the beauty around Flatside Pinnacle.

“I also want to thank Congressman Hill for making good use of an abandoned forestry building in Perryville that was paid for by the taxpayers in our district. It is great to see that our Congressman has not forgotten what common sense looks like.” 

— Arkansas State Representative Mary Bentley 

“On behalf of the citizens of Perry County, I would like to take this opportunity to thank Congressman French Hill for his continuous support to preserve the natural beauty of Perry County and his support of numerous county-based organizations that serve the citizens of Perry County.”  

— Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon

“As everyone who has hiked the Ouachita Trail knows, the Flatside Wilderness ranks among the most majestic landscapes in America. Today’s action moves us one step closer to ensuring future generations can enjoy its world-class hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. Congressman Hill’s tireless efforts to complete the Flatside Wilderness builds upon more than a century of work – from President Theodore Roosevelt’s establishing the Arkansas National Forest in 1907 to Senator Bumpers and Congressman Bethune creating the Flatside Wilderness forty years ago.

“By safeguarding an additional 2,215 acres of the Ouachita Mountains’ unique, east-to-west trending ridges, Congressman Hill is continuing to do his part to advance Arkansas’ remarkable conservation legacy, ensuring the long-term survival of 380 vulnerable species and the wild spaces that make the Natural State one of the premier outdoor recreation destinations in the nation.”

— Collin O’Mara, President and CEO of the National Wildlife Federation

“The members of Friends of the Ouachita Trail (FoOT) maintain 294 miles of hiking and biking trails in the Ouachita National Forest and Central Arkansas Water lands through volunteer adoptions. FoOT members understand the importance of protecting special places within the broader working forest landscape and celebrate this progress towards expanding the Flatside Wilderness Area for the benefit of all Arkansans. We thank Congressman Hill, Congressman Westerman, and Senator Boozman for their leadership and support of this legislation.”   

— Matt Edwards, President, Friends of the Ouachita Trail

“The Flatside Wilderness is such an important part of Arkansas’s shared outdoor heritage. Hikers, hunters, campers, and other outdoor enthusiasts have known for years about outstanding opportunities for solitude that can be found on the Ouachita Trail, and anyone who’s made the 90-minute drive from Little Rock to Flatside Pinnacle can testify to how spectacular this corner of the Ouachita National Forest really is. Rep. French Hill’s effort to better preserve this landscape is popular with Arkansans for a reason, and that’s because it keeps the Natural State exactly that: natural.

“SELC applauds the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Forestry, and Nutrition for favorably reporting this bill today, and we look forward to working with Sen. John Boozman on its final passage.”

— Anders Reynolds, Federal Legislative Director, Southern Environmental Law Center

“The eleven hundred members of the Ozark Society enthusiastically support Congressman Hill’s hard work to expand the centrally located Flatside Wilderness by 2,200 acres. The preservation of our state’s wild places will only further enhance Arkansas’ reputation as a destination for visitors and continue to make it increasingly attractive to young professionals and industries who are only just beginning to recognize our state for the outstanding quality of life we enjoy.”  

— Brian Thompson, President, and David Peterson, Past President, Ozark Society

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

U.S. Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) released a statement on the arrest announcement of a third suspect tied to the murder of Eric Tarpinian-Jachym, an intern in Rep. Estes’ Washington, D.C., office. Tarpinian-Jachym interned during the Summer 2025 term and was murdered in Washington, D.C., on June 30, 2025.

“The announcement of a third arrest tied to the murder of my intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym is another step closer to bringing closure to this tragedy,” said Rep. Estes. “Thanks to the work of U.S. Attorney Pirro, the detectives at Metropolitan Police Department, and others who have worked diligently to bring these suspects in, this case is closer to being solved. Eric’s life was cut short far too quickly. He will never be forgotten by those who loved and knew him. My prayers are with his family as they process this new development.”

Background: 

September 2025 – Estes Releases Statement on Arrests for the Murder of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

September 2025 – Estes and Colleagues Host Press Conference on the D.C. Crime Crackdown

July 2025 – ICYMI: Estes Joins Fox & Friends

July 2025 – Rep. Estes Expresses Condolences To Family Of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym

July 2025 – Estes Honors the Life of Intern Eric Tarpinian-Jachym on House Floor

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the introduction of a resolution recognizing October 2025 as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month. Observed annually in October, National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month was established to raise public awareness of learning disabilities, promote early and accurate diagnoses, and encourage the provision of appropriate interventions and support to help individuals with learning disabilities achieve success in education and in life.

“I began my career in public service to ensure that individuals with learning disabilities, like my daughter who has dyslexia, have the resources and positive learning environments they need to live up to their fullest potential,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “In recognizing October as National Learning Disabilities Awareness Month, we are bringing much-needed awareness to the challenges people with learning disabilities face and, more importantly, reaffirming our commitment to providing them with the support they need to succeed.”

This resolution brings awareness to the learning disabilities that impact millions of children and adults and reaffirms support through advocacy and education for all individuals affected by learning disabilities across the United States.

The resolution is endorsed by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, The Reading League, Council for Learning Disabilities, Association of Educational Therapists, Learning Disabilities Association of America, and Division for Learning Disabilities of the Council for Exceptional Children.

The full text of the resolution can be found here.

###

Issues: 119th Congress, Education

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)