Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)
Headline: Congressman Veasey Releases Statement on Fort Worth ISD Takeover by TEA
Fort Worth, TX— Congressman Veasey released the following statement in regards the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) announced takeover of the Fort Worth Independent School District (Fort Worth ISD):
“Let’s be clear: this takeover has nothing to do with improving the lives of low-income, children in Fort Worth ISD. This hostile takeover is about one thing: paving the way for underperforming charter schools and private school vouchers to dominate public education in Fort Worth.
As a Member of Congress, my job is to work with our city to strengthen neighborhoods. The school district’s job is to educate our kids. But it is not the job of politicians to play educator – ever.
This is 100% about politics. And if I’m wrong, then show just one initiative from the governor’s office that’s actually helping communities of color anywhere in Texas.
And let’s talk about hypocrisy. If these same folks are so worried about student performance in southeast Fort Worth, then where were they when the BIG UGLY BILL passed? That bill stripped Fort Worth families of health care and the ability to put food on the table. You think test scores and attendance won’t suffer when parents are choosing between groceries and medicine?
I didn’t hear a single word from Gov. Abbott, the TEA, or any of these so-called “education reformers” about how the BIG UGLY BILL would devastate the families I represent.
It’s past time for an honest community conversation about what’s really going on here with the TEA and our governor.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)
McGovern Statement on Appalling Reports of Summary Executions in Sudan
Washington, October 29, 2025
WASHINGTON—Today, Congressman James P. McGovern, Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos human rights commission, released the following statement in response to appalling new reports of summary executions and other serious atrocities in El Fasher, Sudan:
“I’m horrified and outraged by reports coming out of Sudan that RSF (Rapid Support Forces) fighters are going from house to house in El Fasher and murdering civilians. After living under siege for nearly two years, many civilians in El Fasher are too weak to even flee the violence—some have literally dropped dead in the streets while attempting to escape.
“The international community must urgently work to prevent further atrocities. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has not yet even publicly commented on these human rights violations, must urgently focus his attention on Sudan. In his confirmation hearing, he said that he would raise with UAE leaders the fact that they are ‘openly supporting an entity [the RSF] that is carrying out a genocide.’ He must fulfill his commitment quickly and insist that the UAE end support for genocide in Sudan.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens moves to lower grocery prices and push back on Trump’s reckless trade policies that are making food and candy more expensive
WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens is tackling rising grocery prices due to Trump’s chaotic tariffs. From candy to kitchen staples, prices continue to climb, turning the checkout line into the scariest part of Halloween for Michigan families. To help stop Trump’s price hikes, Stevens highlighted herNo Tariffs on Groceries Actas a way to lower costs and give families some relief at the checkout line.
Michigan congresswoman Haley Stevens hopes a proposed bill will reduce the cost of groceries nationwide.
Stevens introduced her No Tariffs on Groceries Act… The bill would require congressional approval before a president could impose tariffs on food products.
Stevens believes the current administration’s tariff policies are driving up prices at grocery stores and making it more expensive to buy food.
“I’m working as hard as I can to get this legislation heard and passed, and I’m not going to stop talking about it until it happens.”
“Just a handful of days ago, I was in Pontiac, Michigan, participating in a trunk or treat[…] parents were excited to be out there with their kiddos, but just a few minutes into the conversation, they were talking to me about the price of candy.”
“[…] Some were asking me about SNAP benefits and feeling very frustrated.”
“And right now, this administration is making a policy choice not to go into reserve funds to keep SNAP going, and I find it really wrong.”
“I think we’re clearly in the cost-of-living crisis moment right now, with 1.3 trillion dollars of credit card debt in this country.”
“People are putting grocery bills on credit cards, and I really believe this is why we need my bill, the No Tariffs on Groceries Act.”
A congresswoman from Michigan wants to address food costs, and it starts with the rising costs from imported products.
Representative Haley Stevens, from Michigan’s 11th Congressional District, introduced the No Tariffs on Groceries Act to address President Donald Trump’s ability to set tariffs on things like food.
“We need open free market Capital, those principles to work and to win the day, just as we continue to provide and push for equal opportunity and accessibility.”
“And look, the Government can level the playing field, but right now we have a President who is gallivanting the world”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)
While Trump continues his reckless trade policy, MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ bold plan aims to lower costs, create jobs, and protect Michigan workers and manufacturers
Washington, D.C. — This week, President Donald Trump is in Asia continuing his reckless trade policy, and doing nothing to reduce America’s reliance on the Chinese for critical minerals. Trump’s attempts at making a weak deal with China emphasizes the importance of Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens’Unearth America’s Future Act, a national strategy designed to revitalize the U.S. manufacturing supply chain, bring critical mineral production and innovation back from China, and prevent rising costs.
The Unearth America’s Future Act supports responsible domestic mineral production, fosters public-private partnerships, and invests in next-generation innovation — all while keeping jobs in Michigan and reducing reliance on foreign adversaries like China. Meanwhile, Trump continues to chase headlines overseas and fails to deliver results for American workers, leaving the United States reliant on China for mineral production. Rep. Stevens’ plan is a roadmap that ensures Michigan leads in autos, energy, and national security. Her bill is the only serious, long-term solution to build a resilient supply chain, lower costs, and keep Michigan competitive.
“While Donald Trump wants to leave us dependent on the Chinese, I’m focusing on creating jobs in Michigan and lowering prices at home,” said Congresswoman Haley Stevens. “The Unearth America’s Future Act ensures that Michigan remains the center of manufacturing, creates good-paying jobs, strengthens our economy, and brings critical industries back home. We have the talent, the innovation, and the drive right here in Michigan.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)
Headline: Carter warns Georgia Senators: Their Shutdown Will Hurt Head Start Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) sent a letter to Senators Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Raphael Warnock (D-GA) urging them to reopen the government before Head Start, a program that provides early education, health and nutrition, and family support for children and families in need, runs out of funding and low-income families in Georgia suffer.
Beginning November 1st, five Georgia Head Start providers will lose federal funding if the lapse in appropriations continues, forcing at least one provider – Action Pact – to close its doors. In a letter to impacted families, Action Pact cited a lack of “action by Congress” in forcing its decision.
In the letter, Rep. Carter writes, “These programs provide high-quality early education, nutritious meals, health and developmental screenings, and essential support services for children with disabilities and those experiencing homelessness… In Georgia alone, more than 16,000 children and families depend on these services. Yet, because of your continued support to shut down the government, classrooms could soon go dark and hundreds of teachers will be furloughed.”
Rep. Carter continues, “Instead of holding hardworking Georgia families hostage, I urge you to act immediately to end the government shutdown and keep Head Start programs open and operational so that no child in Georgia loses access to the care and education they deserve.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)
Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) personally led two U.S. Capitol tours for students for Fort Recovery Middle School in Mercer County and Antwerp Middle School in Paulding County.
During the ongoing government shutdown, many federal operations, including public Capitol tours, are suspended until the government reopens. However, Members of Congress are still permitted to lead tours themselves, allowing students and visitors to continue experiencing the U.S. Capitol. Last week, Congressman Latta led two Capitol tours for Marion Local Schools and Coldwater Middle School in Mercer County.
Both Fort Recovery and Antwerp Middle Schools traveled to Washington, DC for their eighth-grade field trips, though many of their planned activities were cancelled due to the ongoing government shutdown. The Fort Recovery students spent over a year preparing for the trip, raising funds through a laundry soap fundraiser.Likewise, Antwerp Middle School students sold cookie dough, poinsettias, beef jerky, Little Caesars pizza, and baked goods, hosted raffles, and volunteered at local events to make their trip possible. Congressman Latta was glad to welcome both groups to the Capitol and ensure they could still experience one of the highlights of their visit.
“It’s important for students to learn about American history and civics, and there’s no better way than by visiting the place where it all happens. I was glad to welcome Fort Recovery and Antwerp Middle School to the U.S. Capitol today, answer their questions, and show them the people’s House. I hope their visit inspires them to stay engaged and continue learning about their government,”Latta said.
“When I initially heard of the government shutdown, I along with the students and parents was definitely anxious and nervous on how that would play out for us on our Washington, DC trip. This trip is an experience that students look forward to each year and has been ongoing in our district and many other Mercer County school districts for many years. So it’s a big deal. One consequence of the shutdown was we wouldn’t get to publicly tour the Capitol. Fortunately for us, K&K reached out to Congressman Latta and was able to secure this private tour. This was an amazing opportunity for our students, and we are greatly appreciative of his time and willingness to step up. One remarkable thing about living in a small town is that the networking is there and many other community members voiced concerns and advocated for us in finding a way into the Capitol to reprieve some of the disappointment of missing out on some other stops in the trip. This tour definitely will be something the students remember for years to come as a unique and memorable experience. We can’t thank Congressman Latta enough,”said Jessica Jutte, 7th Grade Teacher at Fort Recovery Schools.
“The Antwerp Class of 2030 is grateful for the opportunity to still be able to tour the Capitol while on the 8th grade trip to DC this year. We thank Congressman Latta for taking time out of his busy schedule to make this happen! This is a very important part of the trip as it helps our students understand how our government works and the role Congress plays in its success. This will be a stop that they will never forget,” said Zac Feasby, Antwerp 7th & 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — On Day 29 of the Democrat Shutdown, Speaker Johnson held a press conference alongside House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast and House GOP Leadership to provide another civics lesson to Democrats and media members who refuse to acknowledge that 60 votes are required to pass the clean CR in the U.S. Senate. Speaker Johnson also addressed Democrats abandoning unions despite their plea to reopen the government and ensure federal workers are paid.
“It is a shame that Democrats need to be publicly prodded by millions of hardworking Americans to just simply do the most basic function of their jobs. A rational person would read the pleas of the federal workers and conclude that it is time to end the charade and turn the lights back on,” Speaker Johnson said. “But the Democrats are not rational right now. They’ve deliberately ignored the plight of all these federal workers around the country.”
On Democrats either not understanding civics or willfully misleading the American people:
Ronald Reagan used to remind us that you can always trust the American people. And we do. We trust their intelligence, and we trust their understanding of basic civics. In fact, we trust the American people’s understanding of civics far more than the Democrats in this building right now. And a quick reminder of that; the people know that in the House of Representatives, you need a majority vote. You need 218 votes to pass legislation, to pass a clean continuing resolution to fund the government. That’s exactly what we did on September 19. They also know that in the Senate, you have to have 60 votes to pass substantive legislation. And we’ve only got 53 Republican seats. That means we need, by the math, at least seven Democrats to join us to reopen the government. Now, in other words, the Democrats are the only reason that the government is closed, and there is no other way to spin that to make something else true about it.
And of course, the Democrats know all that. We’ve seen their party leaders and we’ve now made their, their phrases and their comments famous here every morning. Chuck Schumer, Whip Katherine Clark in the House, they’ve openly admitted that they’re using the pain of the American people as their leverage. Why? To show to their base that they’re fighting. And they’re counting on the American people not noticing all this. And that’s the very reason why we have to come in here every morning and relay the simple truth.
On Democrats abandoninglabor unions and federal employees:
On Monday, the largest union of federal workers, the American Federation of Government Employees came out and publicly urged Democrats to join Republicans and pass the House’s short-term funding bill. The union’s president said, “A strong America requires a functioning government, one that pays its bills, honors its commitments, and treats its workforce with respect by paying them on time.” Amen to that. Of course, we agree.
But it wasn’t just the AFGE, you had the same commentary, the same plea by the National Association of Air Traffic Controllers, the Coalition of Airline Pilots Associations, the Net Jets Association of Shared Aircraft Pilots, the Allied Pilots Association, the Southwest Airlines Pilots Association, the leader of the Teamsters and the New York Steamfitters Union. They’re all coming out. These are the constituencies that the Democrats claim that they support. And that’s why the unions came on side of the Republicans in the last election. They’ve had enough of this nonsense, and they’ve all called on Senate Democrats to end this shameful shutdown. And it is a shame that Democrats need to be publicly prodded by their millions of hardworking Americans to just simply do the most basic function of their jobs. A rational person would read the pleas of the federal workers and conclude that it is time to end the charade and turn the lights back on. But the Democrats are not rational right now. They’ve deliberately ignored the plight of all these federal workers around the country.
On the mainstream media and Democrats both distracting from the pain caused by the shutdown:
According to the Media Research Center study, by a 2.5 to one margin, the Capitol Hill press corps has tweeted more about the House calendar during the shutdown than the negative consequences of the Democrat Shutdown. The troubles that we have, the hardships that are being experienced because of the troop pay and WIC funding and flights grounded and SNAP funding, you guys are writing more about the House calendar than the real pain that’s being inflicted on the American people. And that’s why we have to come in and relay the simple facts.
Now, there’s a misguided strategy that the Democrats are pursuing right now, and it reveals two important things that can’t be glossed over. Number one, it shows they have no cards to play except to try to blame the other team, which is ridiculous. And it shows how little they think of the American people. They had a rally a couple weeks ago. They tried to portray President Trump as a king. And we pointed out again the obvious truth. If the President was a king, then the government would be open. He’s been trying to do that. And low-income families would be getting the food assistance that they need by Saturday. Republicans cannot wave a wand and reopen the government on our own. We must have a handful of centrist Democrats in the Senate do the right thing.
And any Democrat suggesting otherwise knows exactly what they’re doing, and they insult the intelligence of the American people, and by the way, every reporter in this room, when they do that. Unlike Democrats, Republicans have nothing to twist or spin. We are just simply here relaying the simple facts and the truth. And the American people are responding to that. And that’s why the polling indicates that they trust us more than the other side, because we are the ones here telling you the truth. We have nothing to hide. They are trying to obscure the facts.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)
WASHINGTON — Democrats in Congress have now voted 14 times to keep the government closed.
Since the shutdown began, Democrats have cycled through excuses and lies — first claiming that they didn’t cause it, then it was about “health care,” then it was about “Trump.” But over time, they’ve admitted what this is really about: power and political leverage.
Behind closed doors and in public interviews, top Democrat leaders have been caught admitting the truth — that their shutdown is a political weapon, not a policy disagreement.
They’ve acknowledged that the pain inflicted on working families is “leverage” and a cynical tool to appease the far-left activists driving their agenda.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)
Palm Desert, CA – Today, Congressman Raul Ruiz introduced the Home Energy Assistance in Times of Shutdown Act (HEATS Act), legislation that ensures families in need can continue receiving critical home energy assistance, even during a government shutdown like the one currently impacting families in California’s 25th district.
The HEATS Act guarantees continued funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)during a government shutdown by authorizing the U.S. Treasury to provide the necessary resources. This will ensure that vulnerable households, particularly seniors, children, and those with medical conditions, can continue to afford heating, air conditioning, and energy services when they need them most.
“No family should be forced to choose between heating or cooling their home and putting food on the table, especially during a government shutdown,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “In desert communities like ours, access to air conditioning during periods of extreme heat is not a luxury, it’s a matter of life and death. The HEATS Act protects low-income families with the assurance that they can keep the lights on and their homes safe and cool.”
Background
LIHEAP helps millions of low-income households each year afford energy costs, particularly during extreme weather seasons. In hot, arid regions like California’s 25th District, reliable access to air conditioning during summer months is critical to preventing heat-related illness and death. However, when the federal government shuts down, the program’s funding can be delayed or disrupted—leaving families dangerously exposed during periods of extreme temperatures.
The HEATS Act provides a safeguard by authorizing the Treasury to transfer necessary funds to keep LIHEAP operating during any lapse in federal discretionary appropriations. This measure is especially urgent as Russell Vought, the former Director of the Office of Management and Budget, has threatened to pull funding for LIHEAP and other critical safety net programs amid the ongoing shutdown. Congressman Ruiz is a cosponsor of this legislation.
This bill complements the bipartisanLIHEAP Staffing Support Act (H.R. 3876), which provides a permanent solution to strengthen LIHEAP operations and ensure states have the staffing and resources they need to deliver assistance efficiently year-round.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Last Word, where he highlighted that Democrats will continue fighting to protect the healthcare and nutritional assistance of the American people from Republicans who continue to weaponize them.
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leading off our discussion tonight is House Democratic Leader, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Thank you very much for joining us tonight. I want to begin with that last meeting that you had in the Oval Office, which was about this government shutdown. Hasn’t been a meeting since. There’s been no attempt to solve the problem since by Donald Trump or the Republicans. And Donald Trump taunted you with that hat. And you cut to today, and there’s Speaker Johnson trying to end this subject, trying to make it clear that there’s absolutely no possibility of Donald Trump running for a third term, while Donald Trump still plays that game publicly. Do you see the Johnson move as an attempt to just completely shut this down for strategic reasons? That Trump is probably helping you elect Democrats with that kind of talk.
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it seems to me, Lawrence, that Johnson understands that the second Trump term has been a national nightmare, and the notion that the American people will have to experience more of what they are dealing with right now, largest cut to Medicaid in American history, Republican healthcare crisis, threatening to starve children and seniors and veterans by cutting off SNAP. The fact that costs haven’t gone down, they’re going up. The assault on all of the things, the American way of life, law-abiding immigrant families, democracy itself, the rule of law. It’s all a nightmare. Now, Donald Trump tries to distract, as he did in that meeting, by dropping those hats in the middle of the meeting randomly in front of myself and Chuck Schumer. We were there to talk about the fact that Republicans are gutting the healthcare of the American people, and as Democrats, we would not support it. And I think Johnson wants no part of this subject. Because he knows the more talk of Trump and a third term, the more disastrous it is for Republicans electorally.
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: So on the nutritional benefits, they have never been interrupted during any of the previous government shutdowns that we have ever seen. It was never contemplated by Republicans or anyone at any point in power to do that. You have state attorneys general saying it’s illegal. This is against the law. That the law specifically provides for the ability to deliver those benefits even in a government shutdown. Is this something that the Congress could simply rise up tomorrow and say, okay, we will pass a bill right now to make sure this happens, if necessary?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Yes, the Congress could rise up tomorrow, part of the problem, of course, is that Republicans, as you’ve pointed out, have been on vacation for the last six weeks. Canceled votes for the last five weeks. It’s extraordinary. They’re nowhere to be found. But the money already exists to ensure that SNAP benefits continue through November 1st into November. But the administration is clearly trying to weaponize hunger as part of their effort to continue to try to jam their right-wing ideology and this partisan spending bill down the throats of the American people. And remember, this is the same group of folks, these MAGA extremists, who passed their One Big Ugly Bill that, in addition to including almost a trillion-dollar cut to Medicaid, involved the largest cut to nutritional assistance, Lawrence, in American history, $186 billion. They literally ripped food out of the mouths of hungry children and seniors and veterans and women and families in order to provide billionaire donors with massive tax breaks that they also made permanent. And now they can’t find a dime for nutritional assistance, they allege, and can’t find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for working-class Americans.
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: So there’s a new mystery Republican healthcare bill, apparently or policy or piece of paper or sentence or something. And Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene apparently does not believe it. We saw her public reporting about the Republican Conference call today, in which the Speaker apparently tried to placate people like her and others, possibly, with the idea that, ‘oh, no, no, we’re working on coming up with something on healthcare.’ Have you ever seen a sentence of Republican healthcare policy?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Not at all and you know Mike Johnson has been fond over the last several weeks of saying we’re working on it, we’re working on it, Republicans are the party of healthcare. No reasonable person in America believes that Republicans give a damn about the healthcare of the American people.This is the same group of folks, mind you, who have tried to repeal and destroy the Affordable Care Act more than 70 different times since 2010—over the last 15 years. It’s the same group of people who, as a result of their policies from the One Big Ugly Bill, are causing hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers to close all throughout America, including in rural parts of the country, in Louisiana, in their own communities. It’s the same group people, of course, who have triggered the possibility of a $536 billion dollar cut to Medicare if Congress doesn’t act at the end of this year because of the One Big Ugly Bill. It’s a Republican healthcare crisis that’s devastating rural America, urban America, small town America, working-class America, the heartland of America and Black and brown communities throughout America. So it’s laughable for them to argue that they have a healthcare plan designed to make life better for the American people. And Marjorie Taylor Greene is correct, that it’s nowhere to be found.
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Before you go, this government shutdown can only end when there’s a phone call from Donald Trump to you or from the Speaker to you. At some point, someone has to reach across the aisle to someone, Chuck Schumer, you, and the conversation has to start. What is going to happen next?
LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we continue to maintain publicly—Leader Schumer, myself, House and Senate Democrats—we’re ready, we’re willing, we’re able to sit down with any of them, anytime, anyplace, either at the Capitol or we’ll go back to the White House, in order to reopen the government, to pass a bipartisan spending agreement that actually makes life better for the American people, not worse, and then, of course, decisively addresses the Republican healthcare crisis. Trump gets back into town, apparently, at the end of the week. We’ll be here ready to meet with him, because we certainly know that in the absence of Donald Trump actually coming to the conclusion that it’s time to end the Republican shutdown, Mike Johnson and Leader Thune don’t have the permission or the ability to act independently because Republicans in this Congress are nothing more than a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel.
LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: House Democratic Leader, Hakeem Jeffries. Thank you very much for starting off our coverage tonight.