ICYMI: A weaker Iran means a stronger America

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: ICYMI: A weaker Iran means a stronger America

After nearly 5 decades of terror from Iran, President Donald Trump took decisive action to weaken and confront the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism.

Over those decades, Iran crossed every single red line.

Now, the bravery of the United States Armed Forces is on full display, and President Trump has made his message clear: the conflict will end when Iran can no longer threaten the United States, our allies, and the rest of the world with thousands of its missiles and its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

In case you missed it, Rep. Buddy Carter discussed President Trump’s decisive military action on Fox News.


Fox News, March 8, 2026

Mike Emanuel (host)“What is your analysis of where we are one week into this operation in Iran?”

Rep. Carter: “…America and the world are safer today than [we] were two days ago.”

Mike Emanuel: “On the issue of American boots on the ground, is it your sense the President as Commander in-Chief doesn’t want to tie his hands or the hands of his commanders by saying what he will or won’t do?”

Rep. Carter: “He’s being strategic …that’s what the president’s doing here. No one wants troops on the ground. The President doesn’t want it. We don’t want it. But you don’t tell the enemy what you’re going to do or what you’re not going to do… He’s making sure they understand that option is on the table.”

Mike Emanuel: “We’ve seen oil prices shoot up since the start of this operation. How concerned are you about fuel prices going forward?”

Rep. Carter: “… can you imagine what would be the case if the President had not unleashed American energy…? Can you imagine what it would be like if we were still under the policies of the Biden-Harris Administration, what oil prices would be like now and gasoline prices? This is going to add stability in the future so that Iran will not be able to really manipulate the markets like they have in the past. … There’s going to be some short-term pain, but I can assure you it’s going to be for the benefit of the long-term gain.”

Mike Emanuel: “Do you worry about Iran taking your fellow Republicans off message in terms of the pocketbook issues that so many Americans are worried about heading into the midterms?”

Rep. Carter: “No, I think we’re concentrating on making sure people know that President Trump and our policies, particularly the Working Families Tax Cut Act that I voted for, that our Democratic Senator here in the state of Georgia, John Ossoff, voted against, [are] putting more money in people’s pockets. …the average refund for the IRS was up 10.2%. And as we see the impact of the Working Families Tax Cut Act, that’s no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, no tax on social security, increased child tax credit; all of that is going to make for more money in people’s pockets, and it’s going to make for a better economy.”

Watch the full interview here.

###

Rep. Neguse Attempts to Inspect “Secret” ICE Holding Facility On Western Slope

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Lafayette, CO — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse attempted to conduct a congressional oversight inspection at 100 Midland Ave. in Glenwood Springs. According to concerning public reporting, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is maintaining at the unmarked location at least one of nine purported “secret” facilities holding individuals detained by the agency in the state of Colorado. 

Neguse attempted to request entry at the main doors of the facility, but no agency personnel presented themselves or responded via phone, and he was therefore not given the opportunity to speak with any ICE or Department of Homeland Security representatives. Earlier today, he joined Colorado’s democratic congressional delegation in  sending a letter to Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons today demanding answers about the holding cells — and he intends to follow up about this specific location in the coming days. 

“Our attempted inspection today in Garfield County raised far more questions than answers, and we intend to get to the bottom of it. We know that the cruel and unconscionable practices of the Trump administration are wreaking havoc each and every day, including in communities like this one — and we’re going to continue to push back,” said Congressman Neguse in a video recording taken after the attempted visit. 

Watch the full recording HERE

###

Pingree, Murphy, King Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Legislation to Protect Small Farmers from Financial Risk

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

Today, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) introduced the Agricultural Management Assistance Act to reauthorize and improve the Partnership for Risk Management Education and the Agricultural Management Assistance (AMA) programs, which help farmers manage financial risk through diversification, marketing, or conservation practices. The AMA program is only available to 16 states that have historically low rates of participation in the Federal Crop Insurance Program, including Maine. U.S. Senators Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), and Angus King (I-Maine) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

The Agriculture Management Assistance Act would boost funding for the AMA to $30 million, increase funding limits for farmers to $200,000 over five years, and expand the eligible uses for these funds to include: soil health improvements, composting, supporting perennial crop production, and food safety certification in addition to existing authorized uses such as water management structure and soil erosion control.

“Farmers in Maine and across the country are facing unprecedented uncertainty—from extreme weather and rising costs to volatile markets. Programs like Agricultural Management Assistance give farms the tools they need to manage risk, invest in soil health and conservation, and keep their operations viable for the long term,” said Pingree. “I’m proud to partner with Senators Murphy and King to strengthen this program and ensure farmers in states like Maine have the support they need to adapt and thrive.”

“Connecticut’s small farmers are really important to the diversity of our state’s food supply, but they face unique challenges, especially as climate change worsens,” said Murphy. “Our bill provides small farmers with the support they need to navigate financial risks and invests in making their farms more resilient and efficient in the long term.”

“Maine’s farmers are the backbone of our rural communities, and they deserve the same safeguards and assistance that we provide other industries across the country,” said King. “The Agricultural Management Assistance Act will help ensure that Maine farms have the tools they need to manage financial risks, handle nature’s evolving challenges, and continue to produce the food that supports our local economies and families.”

Full text of the bill is available HERE.

###

Read More (Rep. Steube Introduces American Families First Assistance Act)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

March 12, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced today the American Families First Assistance Act or AFFA Act. This bill would ensure American families — not Biden-era migrants — are prioritized in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
“American taxpayer dollars should go to struggling American families, not migrants who entered the country under the Biden administration’s failed border policies,” said Rep. Steube. “The American Families First Assistance Act ensures TANF benefits are reserved for those the program was intended to serve.”
Background: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal block grants to states to assist low-income families with children.
Under current law, several categories of non-citizens are classified as “qualified aliens” and may be eligible for TANF benefits, including individuals paroled into the United States.
The American Families First Assistance Act amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to narrow that eligibility and prevent migrants paroled into the United States from receiving TANF benefits while preserving eligibility for lawful permanent residents and Cuban refugees.
Read the full bill text here.

Krishnamoorthi Warns Trump EPA Climate Rollback Threatens Illinois Families’ Health, Raises Costs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the agency’s decision to rescind the Endangerment Finding, warning that the move would weaken protections against harmful pollution and expose Illinois families to greater health risks and economic costs.

 

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi argued that overturning the finding would undermine long-standing safeguards designed to protect Americans from dangerous pollution and climate impacts.

“Repealing this determination abandons EPA’s responsibility to protect public health and would put Illinois families at greater risk from harmful pollution and escalating climate impacts,” Krishnamoorthi wrote.

Krishnamoorthi warned that Illinois communities are already experiencing the consequences of climate change through more frequent extreme heat, severe storms, and costly natural disasters.

“Illinois families are already experiencing the consequences of climate change,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “Rolling back the Endangerment Finding would weaken critical guardrails and further compound these health risks, particularly for children, seniors, and working families.”

The letter also highlights the growing economic burden climate change is placing on Illinois residents and businesses. Rising temperatures and extreme weather are already driving higher electricity costs, lost wages for outdoor workers, and costly flood damage across the state.

“The economic consequences of unmitigated climate change are already placing growing burdens on Illinois families and businesses,” Krishnamoorthi wrote.

Krishnamoorthi concluded by urging the EPA to reverse course and reaffirm its responsibility to protect Americans’ health and economic security.

“Rescinding the Endangerment Finding abdicates that responsibility and disregards decades of settled science and established law,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “I urge you to reverse this decision and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health, safety, and economic security of Illinois families and all Americans.”

The full letter to Administrator Zeldin is available here.

Jayapal, Jacobs, Welch Introduce Bicameral Bill Demanding Accountability for Hind Rajab, Palestinian Child Killed by Israeli Forces

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

U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today led Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) in introducing the Justice for Hind Rajab Act, legislation that requires the U.S. government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the killing of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, her family, and paramedics sent to rescue her. The legislation would require the Trump Administration to provide comprehensive answers on the death of Hind and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza.

Hind’s tragic story was the inspiration for a new docudrama film, titled “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The film follows Red Crescent volunteers as they attempt to rescue Hind and her family and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category. The Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.

“Five-year-old Hind should still be alive today. She was a beautiful and brave little girl with her whole life ahead of her. I was horrified by reports of the Israeli Defense Forces firing over 300 bullets at her and her family while they were simply trying to escape Gaza. No child should have to face that kind of terror, and no family should have to carry that kind of loss. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to partner with Senator Welch to deliver justice and accountability for Hind Rajab’s murder and all the civilian harm in Gaza. Hind’s story is a devastating reminder of the daily reality faced by Palestinians – and we won’t rest until they have safety, security, and peace,” said Rep. Jacobs.

“Hind Rajab, her family, and the paramedics who tried to save them, should be alive today. This was not a ‘fog of war’ situation. There wasn’t any reason for the IDF to believe Hind and her family–who were trying to escape the fighting in Gaza–posed a threat,” said Senator Welch. “We need answers and accountability for the deaths of Hind, her family, and the paramedics who came to their rescue.”

“Hind Rajab deserves justice, as do the thousands of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces during the war in Gaza,” said Rep. Castro. “Hind’s heartbreaking cries for help and the terror she felt during her last moments have been heard across the world. No family or child should experience this horrifying brutality and loss. It is unacceptable that no Israeli soldiers have been held accountable for her deaths, or for the deaths of so many thousands of other Palestinian children during this war. I stand with my colleagues and demand an investigation into her murder and justice for her death.”

“Today we honor the life of Hind Rajab, one of the tens of thousands of Palestinian children indiscriminately killed by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This legislation importantly demands an investigation into her killing so we can finally begin to bring about accountability for the countless war crimes the U.S. has been complicit in inside Gaza.”

On January 29, 2024, five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, along with six members of her extended family, were killed by machine gun fire from an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank while she and her family fleeing fighting and famine in Gaza City. Investigations found a total of 355 bullet holes in Hind’s car. Two paramedics attempting to rescue Hind in an ambulance—along an IDF-approved route—were also killed by Israeli tank fire as they approached the car.

The incident, which was extensively documented and has drawn international attention, has become emblematic of the devastating toll of the Gaza war on civilians, particularly children. Hind is just one of more than at least 20,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023—the highest rate of children to combatants killed in any contemporary conflict. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, Gaza’s civilians and children have continued to be killed in military operations and airstrikes.

The Justice for Hind Rajab Act would:

  • Present Congressional findings on the attack that killed Hind Rajab and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza to reassert the United States’ commitment to the Geneva Conventions and the prosecution of war crimes;
  • Require a report from the State Department on all U.S. and Israeli efforts to investigate and hold accountable individuals linked to the attacks, and to comply with U.S. prohibitions on assistance to foreign security units credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights; and
  • Require certifications by the Secretary of State and Attorney General regarding compliance with U.S. war crimes laws, including a commitment to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals responsible for the attack on Hind, her family, and the paramedics who responded to the scene.

Learn more about the Justice for Hind Rajab Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

Issues:

Rep. Kelly reintroduces bipartisan legislation to improve access to healthy, nutritious food

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced a bipartisan bill to support Food is Medicine programs, which improve health outcomes through nutrition while lowering healthcare costs.

The Fueling Optimal Outcomes through Diet (FOOD) for Health Act helps alleviate diet-related diseases through produce prescriptions, on-site food pantries, culinary education, and medically tailored meals. Americans spend nearly $1.1 trillion every year to treat diet-related diseases like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain cancers, and cardiovascular disease. Food insecurity and food deserts contribute to the cause of these diseases by forcing low-income families to rely on cheap, but often less nutritious, foods.

“Many of my constituents in urban, suburban, and rural areas live closer to a fast-food restaurant than a grocery store. They don’t have access to nutritious food that best fuel our bodies and minds,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m confronting these challenges and expanding access to nutrition through Food is Medicine programs. The best medicine is preventative medicine – and that includes food.”

“Prioritizing proper nutrition and expanding access to healthy foods is critical to addressing our nation’s obesity epidemic and growing prevalence of chronic illness. As a nurse practitioner, I understand the vital role that Food is Medicine programs play in improving health outcomes,” said Rep. Kiggans. “The FOOD for Health Act confronts this issue head-on by increasing access to these programs while enhancing on-site food pantries and promoting education on proper nutrition. I’m proud to join Rep. Kelly on these efforts to strengthen preventative care, improve public health, and ensure more Americans have access to the nutritious foods they need to live healthier lives.”

The FOOD for Health Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to Food is Medicine programs that prioritize local foods and regional diversity. The bill would authorize $20 million through fiscal year 2031 and require an initial report to Congress analyzing the efficiency and impact on patient outcomes and system costs.

The FOOD for Health Act is endorsed by Dion’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Think Regeneration, and Feeding America.

“For too long, our healthcare system has treated diet-related disease as inevitable instead of preventable. Food is not just sustenance; it is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and restore dignity to families navigating chronic illness,” said Dion Dawson, Chief Dream and CEO of Dion’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate. “Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s FOOD for Health Act recognizes what communities and practitioners across the country already know: when fresh, nutritious food is integrated into care, lives change. Through our work delivering millions of pounds of fresh produce directly to households, we’ve seen firsthand that access to healthy food can stabilize health, strengthen families, and transform entire communities. This legislation is an important step toward making Food is Medicine a permanent and scalable part of our healthcare system.”

“For the neighbors we serve in Chicago and suburban Cook County, food is not purely sustenance; food is medicine,” said Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Many of those we serve are experiencing the stress of food insecurity at the same time as having to manage a chronic condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity. We know that having reliable and consistent access to healthy food improves health outcomes. We applaud Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her leadership on the FOOD for Health Act, which will support Food is Medicine programs and ensure food banks and other community-based partners have an opportunity to participate.”

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics applauds the FOOD for Health Act for advancing the integration of nutrition into health care and expanding access to nutritious food alongside qualified nutrition expertise,” said Deanne Brandstetter, President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Registered dietitian nutritionists experience every day the impact food and nutrition have in preventing and managing a wide range of chronic and acute conditions as they deliver evidence-based nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy within interprofessional care teams. This legislation strengthens partnerships between health care providers and community organizations, improving patient outcomes and helping reduce long-term health care costs.”

“We can reverse chronic disease in this country and scale regenerative farming at the same time,” said Ryan Slabaugh at Think Regeneration. “Our food-is-medicine pilot project in 2025-2026 in Pembroke Township gave us proof: connecting community members with Type II diabetes to local food hubs and organic farms changed lives for the better for everyone involved—including the farmers. Congressional support to expand these pilot programs are exactly what we need.”

Reps. Garamendi, Simon Demand DOT Stop Effort in Eliminating Civil Rights Regulations

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, joined Congresswoman Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and 11 of his colleagues in calling for the withdrawal of a Department of Transportation (DOT) final rule that would eliminate regulations providing essential civil rights protections, ensuring that organizations receiving federal transportation funding don’t unintentionally discriminate against protected groups.  

These regulations have been standard procedure since 1964 and require transit agencies to weigh equity across fares, services, facilities, and language access when making policy and operational decisions. These federal protections ensure no person is excluded, denied benefits, or subjected to discrimination under any transportation program or activity that receives federal funds. In addition to the harmful final rule, the DOT also published its rescissions of Title VI regulations as a Final Rule without allowing for public comment, which violates the Administrative Procedures Act and denies the public their rightful opportunity to provide comment on this critical civil rights protection.  

“Not only is the Trump Administration ignoring the law, but it is also disregarding some of our nation’s most consequential civil rights protections for public transportation services, fares, and facilities. And they are doing this all while silencing public feedback,” said Rep. Garamendi. “I’m proud to stand with Congresswoman Simon in fighting to ensure our government rightfully invests in the American communities that have been overlooked for far too long.”

 “Transportation is how people access jobs, schools, and health care—it’s the physical infrastructure of equal opportunity,” said Guillermo Mayer, CEO & President of Public Advocates, a 55-year-old civil rights law firm and advocacy organization based in California. “When transit agencies aren’t required to consider the impact of their decisions, Black, Latino, Asian, and Indigenous riders can end up with larger service cuts, more crowded buses, and fare policies not designed with them in mind. Those are the types of harms Title VI disparate impact analysis prevents. Secretary Duffy’s rescissions would make those harms invisible and unreviewable. 

The letter requests that the DOT withdraw the Final Rule (RIN 2105-AF45) in its entirety, or at a minimum, retract and reissue it as a Notice of Proposed Rule Making so members of the public have the opportunity to provide comments. 

In addition to Congressman Garamendi, this letter was signed by Representatives Lateefah Simon (CA-12), André Carson (IN-07), Jesús (Chuy) García (IL-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Bonnie Watson-Coleman (NJ-12), and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12). 

You can read the final letter here.

Congressman Harris Supports Maryland Seafood Processors Opposing MAWS Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01) issued a statement of support for Maryland Blue Catfish processors who are raising concerns about the proposed Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act, introduced by Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth and co-led by Congressman Robert Wittman.

A coalition of small, family-owned seafood processors recently sent a letter warning the legislation could undermine years of work to build a commercial market for wild-caught blue catfish. The coalition represents every processor of wild-caught blue catfish in the state of Maryland. These businesses are among the only facilities in Maryland processing blue catfish for grocery stores, restaurants, and other seafood markets. According to the coalition’s letter, the bill could divert blue catfish away from seafood markets and toward uses like pet food and other byproducts.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Seafood processors on the Eastern Shore have spent years developing commercial markets for wild-caught blue catfish. Their work helps remove an invasive species from the Chesapeake Bay while supporting watermen, seafood businesses, and local jobs. I was proud to champion an effort that created a new grant program through USDA to support their navigation of a cumbersome federal regulatory process by expanding specialized processing facilities for this wild-caught catfish – the first grant awards just being announced in recent weeks.

Now is not the time to undercut the great work of these small businesses and existing investments made by the taxpayers by subsidizing the purchase of product suitable for human consumption for the sole benefit of pet-food companies – especially when these processors are already selling fish byproducts unsuitable for human consumption for the purposes of conversion into pet food. While the MAWS Act may be a well-intentioned proposal to combat the blue-catfish crisis, I cannot support it. I stand with the small business owners raising these concerns and will continue fighting to protect the market they’ve worked so hard to create.”

Text of the coalition’s letter is available here.

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

Scott Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion University

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion University

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:

“I was horrified to learn of the violent tragedy that occurred at Old Dominion University this morning. I am thankful for the first responders who were able to neutralize the shooter before they could perpetrate any further violence.

“While we are still gathering the facts of the situation, my thoughts are with the victims and their families. Everyone should feel safe in their communities and students should feel safe on campus.  We must do everything we can to prevent these all-too-common tragedies of gun violence.”

# # #