Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined colleagues for a ceremony to commemorate the installation of the plaque honoring the bravery of the law enforcement officers who protected the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We are here to recognize the heroism of the hundreds of dedicated Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department and other law enforcement officers who stood in this building and across these Capitol grounds to defend the Congress, defend the country and defend the Constitution on January 6, five years ago, in 2021, from thousands of bloodthirsty rioters.

Their heroism will never be forgotten. January 6 is a day that should forever live in infamy. A violent mob incited by Donald Trump attacked the Capitol as part of an effort to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election. Because of the extraordinary bravery of heroic officers who put their lives on the line, this unprecedented attack on our country and on our democracy failed. But it did come at a heavy price.

More than 140 brave men and women of law enforcement were seriously injured as a result of being violently assaulted. Officers were forced to engage in hours of unprecedented hand-to-hand combat. Many were whipped, beaten with pipes and assaulted by bear spray. Some were even pummeled by Confederate flagpoles.

They were outnumbered by a violent mob, but never overwhelmed. Many, of course, have suffered lasting physical and psychological damage. Some tragically lost their lives.

Despite this, on his first day in office, the current President pardoned hundreds of violent felons who brutally assaulted our police officers while storming the Capitol. He unleashed these criminals into our communities and many now pose an ongoing threat to public safety to everyday Americans and to this very Capitol itself.

Yet our brave and heroic officers continue to show up each and every day in this moment of extreme political violence to keep us all safe. That’s why we’re so grateful that this tribute to our heroes will now reside in the same location where they so bravely and heroically defended the Capitol, the citadel of our democracy.

It will now forever stand as a timeless and permanent testament to their incredible courage and incredible patriotism. And we will never let their service and their sacrifice be whitewashed.

May God bless the dedicated men and women of law enforcement, the Capitol Police, the DC Police Department and all those who heroically served this country on that fateful day of January 6 and may God continue to bless the United States of America.
 
Full remarks can be watched here.

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

Resolution Adopted on International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade Recognizes Grave Crime and Institutional Impact of Slavery

Pressley Also Denounces U.S. Ambassador’s Rejection of UN Resolution

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement praising the UN General Assembly for adopting a resolution expressing support for reparations and declaring the trafficking and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the gravest crime against humanity. The resolution was introduced by the Republic of Ghana at the UN General Assembly in New York this week. Rep. Pressley also denounces U.S. Ambassador Dan Negrea’s decision to reject the resolution, minimize the crime of slavery, and deny the need for reparations.

“The fight for reparative justice demands both moral clarity and transformational change—and this UN resolution marks an essential step in recognizing the inhumane enslavement of our African ancestors and addressing the systemic oppression of Black people. This resolution signifies international solidarity and a united conviction to build a more just world, accounting for and confronting the impact of slavery that has burdened generations of Black folks. Our movement for reparations—like my legislation, H.R. 40—is a pathway toward truth, reconciliation, and accountability for the deep, structural injustices that continue to ravage Black communities.

“As we celebrate this historic resolution, I vehemently denounce the U.S. Ambassador’s vote against the resolution and false claims against the movement for reparative justice. Hiding behind the notion that there’s no legal right to reparations just because slavery was once legal is morally bankrupt and historically inaccurate. Slavery was always a crime against humanity, no matter what the law said at the time, and its legacy is still harming Black communities today. That means we still have a responsibility to repair that harm. It is anti-Blackness that is rooted in the earliest sins of our nation, seen in the racist attacks coming out of this hostile White House, and enabling the systemic oppression rampant in every corner of our society. We have a duty and obligation to confront past wrongs and the centuries of trafficking, enslavement, and violence against Black people. Justice delayed is justice denied, and we will not back down in our pursuit of healing and reparatory justice.”

Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of H.R. 40, historic reparations legislation that would address the harmful legacy of slavery and establish a federal commission to develop reparations proposals for African American descendants of enslaved people.

In February 2025, during Black History Month, Rep. Pressley and Senator Cory Booker reintroduced H.R. 40, serving as a powerful counterweight to the unprecedented onslaught against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives from the Trump Administration and a call to action to address the systemic oppression of Black people.

In April 2025, Rep. Pressley met with Northeastern University’s Center for Law, Equity, and Race to discuss efforts and further action in a shared push for reparative justice. In June 2025, Rep. Pressley hosted a briefing on H.R. 40 to provide congressional staffers and their offices an expanded look into the bill, its 36-year legislative journey – led by Congressman John Conyers and Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee – and its vital role in the reparative justice movement.

Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has championed policies to address the harmful legacy of slavery and support the true liberation of Black America, including Baby Bonds, a People’s Justice Guarantee, student debt cancellation, addressing the Black maternal morbidity crisis, supporting Black-owned microbusinesses, promoting anti-racist public health policy, and more.

Congresswoman Pressley is the lead sponsor of the People’s Justice Guarantee (PJG) – her comprehensive, decarceration-focused resolution that outlines a framework for a fair, equitable and just legal system. 

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

Headline: Carter, Pfluger praise Mystic Flood safety alert bill passing committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Rep. August Pfluger (R-TX) today celebrated the passage of the Mystic Alerts Act out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

This bill will strengthen the emergency alerting framework by directing the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish standards and requirements that allow alerts to be delivered via satellite connectivity, ensuring redundancy when traditional networks are down.

Watch Rep. Carter’s remarks here.

Rep. Carter speaks at full Energy and Commerce Committee hearing

“My granddaughters were staying at Camp Mystic when the devastating floods claimed the lives of many young girls, including their cousin, Janie Hunt,” said Rep. Carter. “Camp should be a place of joy, adventure, and lasting memories. But for these girls, the trauma they experienced will stay with them forever. Like Representative Pfluger, this issue is deeply personal to my family, and I look forward to our continued work to pass the Mystic Alerts Act so that no child or family has to endure a tragedy like this again.

“When disaster strikes, communication infrastructure is often the first thing to fail, especially in rural areas. After the devastating floods of July 4th in Central and West Texas, we must ensure every American receives life-saving emergency alerts when it matters most,” said Rep. Pfluger. “I’m grateful the Mystic Alerts Act passed out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee today with unanimous, bipartisan support.”

Read full bill text here.

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued the following statement amid investigations into a Boston police officer shooting and killing Stephenson King, a Dorchester resident, during an alleged carjacking in Roxbury.

“I am deeply alarmed by the recent shooting by police in Roxbury of Stephenson King. My heart is with his family as we grieve this killing and everyone impacted in our community,” said Rep. Pressley. “The District Attorney’s office moved quickly to bring charges, and it is essential that Stephenson’s family has access to body camera footage to ensure a full, truthful account of the shooting, along with critical resources to support their healing. While justice would mean Stephenson’s life was not taken in the first place, we must have transparency and accountability. That means holding everyone involved to account. The trauma of violence reverberates far beyond a single instance, so we must remain committed to enacting policies that truly keep us all safe.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee hearing entitled, “The Ultimate Grift: How DHS Is Enriching the President and His Allies at Taxpayer Expense.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks to the witness by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, March 25, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee hearing entitled, “Republicans Try to Pretend Donald Trump Hasn’t Ruined DHS.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks to the witness by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Sonoma County, CA — Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) presented a $1.2 million federal funding check to Sonoma County to construct new sidewalks and bike lanes along State Route 12, improving safe access for pedestrians and cyclists in the surrounding community. The funding was secured by Thompson through the federal Community Project Funding process.

“This investment is about keeping people safe,” said Thompson. “This $1.2 million will help deliver sidewalks and bike lanes needed to protect our community members and ensure everyone can get to school, work, and shopping safely.”

“Securing federal funding for the Donald Gap Transportation Project wasn’t just about closing a gap on a map—it was about closing a gap in safety and access for our community,” said Sonoma County Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo. “For far too long, bicyclists and pedestrians along State Route 12 have lacked continuous, safe infrastructure to reach schools, transit, workplaces, and essential services. We are grateful to Congressman Thompson for listening to our constituents’ concerns and delivering this critical investment.”

The Donald Gap Transportation Project will provide sidewalks and bike lanes along State Highway 12 where existing facilities lack safe access for bikes and pedestrians. The project will ensure the surrounding community has safe and reliable access to the City of Sonoma. Despite current limitations, SR-12 experiences heavy vehicle, pedestrian, and bicycle traffic that have tragically resulted in multiple fatal accidents, including several pedestrian deaths, in recent years.

The funding for this project is part of the $13,317,000 secured this year by Thompson for community projects in our district.

Each year, Members of Congress may direct federal funding to a limited number of community projects through the appropriations process. Under this program, each House member may submit up to 20 project requests on behalf of their district for competitive review by the House Appropriations Committee. Projects selected for funding must meet strict transparency and accountability requirements before being included in federal appropriations legislation.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Sonoma County, CA — Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) convened a community roundtable in Boyes Hot Springs to discuss the affordability crisis facing families across Sonoma Valley and highlight the American Affordability Act, his comprehensive legislation aimed at lowering the cost of living for working families.

“Families across Sonoma Valley are working hard and still struggling to keep up with the rising cost of housing, healthcare, childcare, and energy,” said Thompson. “Today’s conversation gave us the opportunity to hear directly from members of our community about the challenges they’re facing and discuss how the American Affordability Act can bring costs down and ease the burden families are feeling right now.”

The roundtable brought together a group of Sonoma Valley community leaders, including representatives from housing, healthcare, education, energy, childcare, senior services, and local government. Participants included Sonoma County Supervisor Rebecca Hermosillo, leaders from Burbank Housing, MidPen Housing, Sonoma Clean Power, Sonoma Valley Community Health Center, Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from the City of Sonoma, among others. This is the second affordability-focused roundtable Thompson has organized. 

The American Affordability Act is a comprehensive bill that uses the tax code to address the nation’s cost-of-living crisis. Key provisions of the bill include expanded affordable housing tax credits, new incentives for first-time homebuyers and renters, restored clean energy credits to lower utility bills, a fully refundable Child Tax Credit with monthly advance payments, expanded education benefits, and improved access to health insurance premium tax credits to lower health care costs.

The roundtable was hosted by Burbank Housing at Springs Village Apartments, an 80-unit affordable housing development in Boyes Hot Springs.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – The bipartisan, bicameral Supporting Early-Childhood Educators’ Deductions (SEED) Act, introduced by U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), was voted unanimously out of the House Committee on Ways and Means today.  This is the first Democrat-led stand-alone bill to receive a mark-up in the Committee on Ways and Means. The legislation now heads to the House Floor for a vote before the full House of Representatives. 

“Early childhood educators often reach deep into their own pockets to cover the cost of classroom materials for their students,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The SEED Act would allow them to claim the same tax deduction for those costs already available to K-12 teachers. My legislation would allow the federal government and tax code to recognize pre-k educators for their dedication and commitment to the development of our children.”

The SEED Act will ensure early childhood educators can claim the same federal tax deduction currently available to K-12 teachers. Research shows that educators spend an average of $860 annually on supplies for their students. Under current law, early childhood educators cannot deduct those out-of-pocket expenses. The SEED Act would correct this and provide tax relief to the teachers working with America’s youngest learners.

The SEED Act would expand the above-the-line $300 educator expense deduction, established for K-12 teachers in 2002, to also include pre-K and early childhood educators.  This deduction helps offset the hundreds of dollars teachers spend out of their own pockets each year on classroom supplies, books, and learning materials.

The SEED Act is supported by a broad coalition of education and child advocacy organizations, including the Center for American Progress, the American Federation of Teachers, Teach For America, the First Five Years Fund, and Trying Together.

Reps. David Valadao (CA-22), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-11) co-lead this legislation. Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO) and Susan Collins (R-ME) have introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting key steps the U.S. should take in the region, especially in light of reports of China’s extensive data and ocean mapping efforts in the Indo-Pacific. 

Congresswoman Amata in Committee work

“China will not hesitate to take our fish and minerals first and let people ask questions later,” Amata said, citing reports of China’s vessels being tracked apparently surveying the waters off the Mariana Islands including Guam and Saipan. “I advocate greater presence in the Pacific for both Coast Guard and defense-based assets in the form of improved port and airport infrastructure right here in Pago Pago and other area efforts to combat illegal fishing, prevent any illegal extraction of resources, and to stop drug and human trafficking.”

“Through loans and grants, China funds air and port infrastructure and construction in the Pacific Islands, and Uncle Sam needs to step up and exert positive influence showing U.S. commitment to security and economic opportunity in the region,” Amata continued. “I am confident our Interior, State and War departments will productively deploy the needed support in the region to combat China’s influence.”

She concluded, “The people of the Pacific are natural allies and friends with the United States and our closest partners, but China’s cash influence is real, so their recent funding and outreach to evaluate airport and seaport improvement will be welcomed in the region until there’s a better alternative.”

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