Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Amata Highlights Significance of First Female Prime Minister of Japan, Congratulates Prime Minister Takaichi

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, who serves as Vice Chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific in the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC), is congratulating Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae, and highlighting the significance of the first ever female Prime Minister of Japan. 

On October 21, 2025, a vote to designate the Prime Minister was held in both the House of Representatives and the House of Councillors. Prime Minister Takaichi became the 104th Prime Minister. A new Cabinet was announced and the investiture ceremony for the Prime Minister was held at the Imperial Palace. 

“My congratulations to Prime Minister Takaichi in honor of this historic occasion,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership is another inspiration point for the young people of the Pacific region. Japan is an important ally of the United States and an essential partner in diplomacy, trade, and security between our countries, and with other Pacific neighbors.”

“As a Member of the U.S. Congress from the South Pacific, and the first elected woman representative to Congress from our territory, I am delighted to highlight to the young people of American Samoa that one of the world’s leading economies has chosen the first ever female Prime Minister, who will have a central role in the next chapter of the US-Japan alliance and elsewhere on the world stage.”

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability, where he emphasized that while Donald Trump and Republicans are choosing to rip nutritional assistance and healthcare from the American people, Democrats will continue to fight to end the shutdown and support everyday Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is day 29 of the Trump-Republican shutdown, and Republicans have continued to show zero interest in reopening the government, enacting a bipartisan agreement that meets the needs of the American people and addressing the Republican healthcare crisis. In just a few days, on November 1st, open enrollment will begin, and tens of millions of Americans are going to more completely understand that their premiums, co-pays and deductibles are going to skyrocket by thousands of dollars per year because of Republicans’ continued refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for working-class Americans. At the same period of time, on November 1st, about 42 million Americans who rely on SNAP in order to put food on the table are at risk of losing their benefits because Donald Trump and Republicans want to cruelly rip them away. Let’s be clear. The administration has the funding to make sure that not a single American on November 1st or beyond goes hungry. Not a single American. They have the money, but they are choosing to withhold funding for SNAP because they want to punish hungry children, hungry veterans, hungry seniors, hungry women and hungry families as part of their continued effort to hurt everyday Americans.

This is what we’ve seen from Donald Trump and Republicans from the very beginning of this Congress. The Republican One Big Ugly Bill included the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. It also included the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history. Republicans cut $186 billion from SNAP in July, which is why we’re facing this crisis right now. And they did all of this back in July. Why? So they could provide massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors. That’s what Republicans have done during this presidency. And now, because of their continued refusal to even sit down and have a conversation with Democrats, despite us repeatedly making clear that we will sit down with Republicans anytime, anyplace, anywhere, here at the Capitol or back at the White House, to have a serious conversation about reopening the government, supporting our hardworking federal employees and addressing the healthcare crisis that Republicans have created, the affordability crisis that Republicans have created and now the hunger crisis that Republicans are creating by threatening to withhold SNAP benefits, even though the Trump administration has the money to make sure that not a single American goes hungry.

Full press availability can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement calling on the Trump administration to advance policies which support American beef producers and consumers.

“The hardworking families who raise cattle in Nebraska and all across our great country deserve policy which fights as hard as they do to put food on the table. The commonsense initiatives announced by USDA help provide current and future generations with the certainty they need to provide American families with affordable, nutritious protein. Certainly, these policies are welcome. However, our agriculture industry has been hit by historic setbacks in recent years, and policy and statements which unduly influence and undermine the domestic cattle market threaten our domestic food security and are not helpful.

“I am particularly concerned about the announcement regarding Argentine beef, as it appears to contradict President Trump’s efforts to fight tooth and nail to ensure American producers and workers receive fair treatment and prices for their products all around the world.”

Download audio here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the passing of former President of Nebraska Chamber of Commerce and Industry Barry Kennedy:

“Nebraska lost a true leader with the passing of Barry Kennedy. His heart of service, drive to grow Nebraska’s economy, and dedication to family defined his life. Barry’s integrity and care for others will continue to inspire all of us who knew him.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it had reached trade deals with Malaysia and Cambodia and established frameworks for agreements with Vietnam and Thailand to lower tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. 

“President Trump and his trade team are taking pivotal strides to secure access in global markets for U.S. goods and services to the benefit of America’s farmers, ranchers, workers, and innovation drivers. The Agreements on Reciprocal Trade signed with Malaysia and Cambodia, as well as the frameworks announced with Vietnam and Thailand, represent meaningful progress for U.S. industry as we work to diversify our input supply chains and export markets. By strengthening strategic economic and national security partnerships in the Indo-Pacific, the United States is better poised to counter the Chinese Communist Party’s influence throughout the region. I look forward to working with the President and Ambassador Greer to ensure the full benefits of these deals and purchase commitments are realized.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chair Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced initiation of a Section 301 investigation into China’s implementation of the Phase One Agreement.

“Since negotiation of the China Phase One Agreement during President Trump’s first term, China has failed to meet their purchase commitments, provide real intellectual property protections, or approve science-proven technology and production standards for our agricultural products. Rather than engaging in productive negotiations with the current administration to right the relationship, China has taken to eliminating purchases of our agricultural products, blocking exports of critical minerals, and further escalating tensions. I appreciate Ambassador Greer’s action to investigate implementation of the agreement and look forward to working with the administration to fully realize its benefits.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) led 20 House Republicans in sending a letter urging President Donald Trump to address Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) during his visit to Japan. The MSCA targets American digital companies through unfair regulatory barriers which hamper innovation and threaten productivity. 

Key excerpts of the letter include:

We applaud your Administration’s tireless efforts to address longstanding trade barriers that negatively impact U.S. companies operating in foreign markets.

…

As you embark on your first trip to Asia of your current term, we wish to draw your attention to an area of ongoing concern in the U.S.-Japan bilateral trade relationship – the digital economy….Apparently drawing direct inspiration from the European Union’s highly problematic Digital Markets Act (DMA), Japan’s Mobile Software Competition Act (MSCA) targets solely U.S. companies for special rules and obligations that restrict how these companies can conduct business and interact with customers in Japan…No Japanese, Chinese, or other third-country companies are subject to the law.

…

We encourage you to raise this issue in your upcoming meeting with the Prime Minister of Japan, and we stand at the ready to support your efforts to keep bringing down barriers for our world-leading digital companies.

Read the full letter here.

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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.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

McGovern Statement on Appalling Reports of Summary Executions 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 her No Tariffs on Groceries Act as a way to lower costs and give families some relief at the checkout line.

CBS Detroit:

• 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.”

WJR:

• “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.”

WWJ:

• 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”

WLNS:

• Rep Haley Stevens says both parties need to come together, to get SNAP benefits back.

• “Food should not be a partisan thing so the tools in the toolkit right now are available.”

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