Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Kansas City, MO) – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO) hosted Kris Williams, President and CEO of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines), alongside senior bank officials, and local housing leaders for a roundtable discussion on strategies to expand affordable housing opportunities across Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. The conversation brought together representatives from local financial institutions and housing organizations to discuss housing affordability challenges, access to financing, and the role of the Federal Home Loan Bank system in supporting community development. Participants also discussed how programs administered by FHLB Des Moines, including mandatory and voluntary affordable housing initiatives, can improve access to safe, stable housing for families throughout the Kansas City region. Last year, through its mandatory and voluntary affordable housing and community development programs, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines provided a total of $1.86 million for an impact of $8.63 million in Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District.

“Access to safe and affordable housing is foundational to strong communities and economic opportunity,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Today’s discussion with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines and local housing lenders and leaders highlighted the important partnerships needed to expand housing opportunities throughout Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District. I’m grateful for the work of our local housing advocates and financial partners who are committed to addressing housing challenges and ensuring more families have a place to call home.”

Rep. Cleaver emphasized the importance of continued collaboration between federal partners, local institutions, and community organizations to address rising housing costs and expand access to affordable housing in the region. Officials from FHLB Des Moines provided an overview of the bank’s investments and housing programs available to member institutions and community organizations, including funding opportunities designed to support affordable housing development and neighborhood revitalization.

“As housing costs continue to rise, we must work together to ensure families have access to stable and affordable homes,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Conversations like this help identify solutions and strengthen the partnerships necessary to meet the needs of our communities.”

FHLB Des Moines event handouts can be found here.

Affordable Housing – FHLB Des Moines

Pictures from the event can be found here.

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – In response to the horrific attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“Our worst fears came to West Bloomfield today. To the congregants of Temple Israel and Jewish families across our community and beyond, we stand with you in horror of the reality that Jewish Americans confront every time they enter a place of worship, attend a community event, or gather with loved ones.

“Michiganders’ lives were saved today by the heroism of security officials on site and the speed of Oakland County’s first responders. Thanks to their bravery and quick actions, Temple Israel’s congregants, staff, and students are alive and safe tonight in their homes. Our community forever owes a debt to the men and women who kept this synagogue safe, and we all send our prayers to the wounded security guard who is recovering in the hospital.

“It should not be like this. Jewish families should never have to fear gathering at a synagogue, sending their children to religious school, or simply practicing their faith. Americans should not have to be surrounded by armed guards every time they pray.

“It is no longer enough for our leaders to condemn antisemitism. It must be rooted out everywhere. There are things Congress can and must do legislatively—first and foremost, funding every effort we can to keep the Jewish community safe and protect houses of worship—but we must also commit to ending the scourge of antisemitism in every community.

“Enough is enough. The congregants of Temple Israel deserve better.”

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

This week, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12), Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Subcommittee, introduced the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act. This legislation would amend the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to prohibit pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) from paying kickbacks or referral fees to brokers, consultants, advisors, or similar intermediaries in exchange for directing employer health plan or insurer business to the PBM. Upon the bill’s introduction, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

“The Trump Administration and House Republicans are laser-focused on lowering prescription drug prices and making health insurance more affordable. The PBM Kickback Prohibition Act—a signature component of the President’s ‘Great Healthcare Plan’—would rein in PBMs by ending kickbacks that deceptively raise the cost of health insurance for patients, workers, and families. I thank Chairman Walberg for his support in introducing this bill and look forward to working with the administration and my colleagues to get it across the finish line,” said Congressman Rick Allen.

“If we’re serious about lowering health care costs, we have to take on the middlemen driving prices higher. Banning kickbacks paid by pharmacy benefit managers to a medical plan’s advisor or consultant is a commonsense reform that protects workers, employers, and patients. Simply put, Rep. Allen’s bill makes sure decisions are made based on what’s best for patients and plan sponsors—not who’s paying the biggest kickback. This kind of transparency is a key part of the broader effort Republicans are advancing with President Trump to bring down health care costs and make the system work better for American families,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI).

BACKGROUND: Specifically, the PBM Kickback Prohibition Act adds a restriction to ERISA section 408 stating that when a PBM provides pharmacy benefit management services to a covered health plan, the PBM may not provide any direct or indirect compensation to third parties for referring that plan’s business. The prohibition would apply to plan years beginning after the bill’s enactment, aiming to reduce conflicts of interest and increase transparency in PBM contracting with employer-sponsored health plans.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC— Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Mike Lee (R-UT), yesterday introduced an updated version of the Government Surveillance Reform Act to enact new protections for Americans’ rights, including stopping the federal government from buying data on Americans from shady data brokers, while reauthorizing and reforming Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is the only bipartisan, bicameral bill on offer to reform FISA 702 and other government surveillance programs. It is cosponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA).

“Now more than ever, unchecked government access to Americans’ personal information threatens their privacy, their civil liberties, and our democracy,” Rep. Lofgren said. “Congress should not reauthorize broad domestic surveillance authorities without putting meaningful safeguards in place. The bipartisan, bicameral Government Surveillance Reform Act offers a comprehensive and balanced solution that would prevent abuse of Americans’ personal information while preserving essential national security tools that keep our country safe.”

“FISA Section 702 has been stretched far beyond its original purpose and now enables unconstitutional warrantless searches of American citizens and their private communications,” Rep. Davidson said. “The bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act counters these abuses by requiring a warrant to search Americans’ data and by closing the data broker loophole that allows the federal government to spy on citizens by purchasing private data that would otherwise require a warrant or subpoena.”

“Advances in technology, from AI to the explosion of Americans’ data available for purchase, have far outpaced the laws protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties,” Sen. Wyden said. “I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan bill as a leader of the Ben Franklin caucus, which stands for the proposition that liberty and security aren’t mutually exclusive.”

“It is imperative that Congress enact real reforms to protect our civil liberties, including warrant requirements and statutory penalties for privacy violations, in exchange for reauthorizing Section 702,” Sen. Lee said. “Our bipartisan Government Surveillance Reform Act stops illegal government spying and restores the Constitutional rights of all Americans.”

“If we are serious about protecting our constitutional freedoms against government overreach, a judicially-approved warrant should be required for all section 702 searches,” said Sen. Lummis. “This legislation goes a long way to restoring our Fourth Amendment rights and curbing the inexcusable intelligence agency excesses of the last two decades.”

The Government Surveillance Reform Act would represent the most comprehensive reform of surveillance laws in nearly half a century. The bill reauthorizes Section 702 for four years with necessary privacy reforms and constitutional safeguards, including:

• Closing the backdoor search loophole: The bill requires the federal government to get a warrant to access Americans’ private communications gathered under Section 702, with important exceptions for emergency situations.

• Closing the data broker loophole: The bill bans the federal government from buying Americans’ data from data brokers without a warrant.

• Prohibiting reverse targeting: The bill prohibits using surveillance on foreigners overseas through Section 702 as a pretext for gathering data on Americans.

• Repealing the “make everyone a spy” provision: This bill repeals a controversial 2024 expansion that allows the government to force millions of Americans and companies to secretly spy on its behalf.

• Reforming intelligence collection outside FISA: This bill protects Americans from intelligence agencies using non-statutory authorities, including by prohibiting backdoor searches and reverse targeting outside of FISA.

• Updating privacy protections for AI and other modern technologies: This bill requires federal law enforcement to get a warrant to surveil Americans’ location information, web browsing data, search and chatbot records, and car onboard and telematics data.

• Halting warrantless collection of business records: This bill protects Americans’ data from warrantless collection under an authority that expired over five years ago.

• Enhancing oversight and accountability: The bill strengthens judicial oversight, public reporting, and accountability requirements under FISA.

The Government Surveillance Reform Act is endorsed by privacy and civil liberty advocates across the political spectrum: American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), Americans for Prosperity, Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, Center for Democracy & Technology, Consumer Choice Center, Demand Progress, Due Process Institute, Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC), Fight for the Future, Muslim Advocates, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability (PPSA), Restore the Fourth.

James Czerniawski, Head of Emerging Technology Policy at Consumer Choice Center: “For years, the U.S. intelligence community has repeatedly misused its authorities under FISA, including Section 702, as well as other surveillance powers, undermining public trust and raising concerns across the political spectrum. Protecting constitutional rights and protecting national security are not opposing goals. We applaud the reintroduction of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, a bipartisan path forward that brings back a comprehensive package of reforms. This package responsibly reins in warrantless surveillance while preserving the tools needed to keep Americans safe. We commend Senators Wyden and Lee, along with Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for once again leading this cross‑party effort to advance essential, rights‑protecting reforms.”

John C. Yang, President and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice: “Reform of Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act is long overdue. The federal government has used this provision to engage in mass warrantless surveillance and collection of Americans’ international phone calls, emails, text messages, and other communications with little oversight or accountability. Asian Americans often encounter disproportionate amounts of scrutiny framed as ‘national security’. The Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2026 is a critical step in regulating the collection of Americans’ most sensitive and private information.”

Jason Pye, Vice President of the Due Process Institute: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act is an important step toward restoring the balance between national security and the civil liberties the Constitution was designed to protect. For too long, federal surveillance authorities have created opportunities for the warrantless collection and misuse of Americans’ communications. Few would argue that surveillance authorities are required to protect the United States from foreign threats, but we have to recognize that Americans expect that their fundamental civil liberties will be protected. Congress has routinely failed to do so, including the most recent reauthorization, which actually expanded surveillance. The reforms included in GSRA are responsible and necessary to ensure that intelligence tools aimed at foreign threats are not used to sidestep the Fourth Amendment rights of Americans.”

Hajar Hammado, Senior Policy Advisor at Demand Progress: “The federal government should not have the ability to bypass courts and obtain the private emails, texts and calls of Americans, especially when they are purchased from shady data brokers who sell our private information to anyone willing to pay. The Government Surveillance Reform Act protects Americans’ privacy by finally closing the backdoor search loophole and closing the door on data brokers. Protecting Americans’ privacy and civil liberties from these threats cannot wait, Congress must implement these reforms ahead of the April 20 expiration date. We thank Sens. Wyden and Lee, and Reps. Davidson and Lofgren for their steadfast leadership and we urge all members of Congress to enact critically needed privacy protections before renewing the government’s spying authority.”

Alex Marthews, National Chair at Restore the Fourth: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act contains critical reforms to protect U. S. persons from unreasonable and warrantless government surveillance. It would rein in AI-driven misuse of NSA classified databases to spy on U. S. persons without probable cause or a warrant; it would make much less likely that Americans would be harassed or prosecuted on the basis of poor-quality data held on them by data brokers; and it would make it easier for people unfairly surveilled to get redress from the courts. We warmly encourage the Judiciary Committees in the House and the Senate to mark up a bill that takes the best parts of this bill, Senator Lee’s and Senator Durbin’s SAFE Act and Rep. Biggs’ Protect Liberty Act, before the sunset of these authorities in April.”

Bob Goodlatte, former Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee and Senior Policy Advisor to the Project for Privacy and Surveillance Accountability: “PPSA commends Sen. Ron Wyden, Sen. Mike Lee, Rep. Warren Davidson, and Rep. Zoe Lofgren for reintroducing the Government Surveillance Reform Act (GSRA) – a comprehensive surveillance reform bill that balances national security with Americans’ constitutional and privacy rights. This balanced and comprehensive bill enjoys bipartisan and bicameral support because Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle are alarmed by the abusive and pervasive surveillance of the American people by their own government. This well-crafted legislation should be included in the reauthorization of FISA Section 702 in April.”

Sumayyah Waheed, Senior Policy Counsel at Muslim Advocates: “As the federal government seeks to capture ever more intimate data and biometrics on every person in America, we must pass new laws to protect our privacy. The Government Surveillance Reform Act is a critical measure to reclaim our data and reaffirm the Fourth Amendment’s protections against mass government surveillance, which chills dissent and enables abuse. We thank Senators Wyden and Lee, and Representatives Davidson and Lofgren, for their leadership on this bill.”

Jeramie D. Scott, Senior Counsel and Director of the EPIC Surveillance Oversight Program: “The Government Surveillance Reform Act includes critical protections for our privacy and our data in an increasingly vulnerable digital world. As technology advances, so too must our laws to ensure that we secure the values enshrined in our Constitution. Our spy agencies should not turn warrantless surveillance systems inward to invade Americans’ communications, and they shouldn’t sidestep the Fourth Amendment by purchasing our sensitive information from data brokers. Our values and our Constitution demand our privacy and civil liberties be protected and EPIC is proud to support a bill that does just that.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Following major mail delivery challenges in Missouri, Rep. Wagner requested immediate explanations from the USPS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

‘One Country, One Destiny: Celebrating the 250^th Anniversary of the U.S.’

CHARLESTON, SOUTH CAROLINA – Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) will co-host the Faith and Politics Institute’s Annual Pilgrimage in Charleston, South Carolina alongside Senator Tim Scott (R-SC). As America celebrates its 250^th Anniversary, this year’s congressional pilgrimage will offer Members of Congress and leaders a powerful opportunity for reflection and growth.

This bipartisan journey invites participants to engage with Charleston’s complex history and cultivate resilience for a brighter future for all Americans and towards a more perfect union. Charleston and its people have played a pivotal role in the American Revolution and the evolution of our nation’s ideals. This Pilgrimage aims to illuminate these inspiring and sometimes poignant stories, fostering education among Members of Congress through a weekend filled with meaningful events and enriching programs.

In 1998, Congressman John Lewis began leading the Faith & Politics Institute’s Congressional pilgrimages to Alabama to retrace his steps on the anniversary of “Bloody Sunday,” which occurred on March 7, 1965. Since then, the Faith & Politics Institute has organized annual pilgrimages to Alabama and other domestic and international locations. The pilgrimages include intergenerational conversations that facilitate the sharing of wisdom among activists, changemakers, contemporary thought leaders in politics, historians, and figures from the arts.

“It is my pleasure to welcome my Congressional colleagues, partners, and community members to the 2026 Faith and Politics Institutes’ Congressional Civil Rights Pilgrimage. As we come together in my home state of South Carolina, I am inspired by the words of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. when he intoned: ‘We must keep moving. If you can’t fly, run; if you can’t run, walk; crawl; but by all means keep moving,’” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “Movement defines the American story which encompasses African American history in which this state has played a pivotal and powerful role. South Carolina is inextricably linked to the struggles as well as the achievements of our great nation. As we begin this pilgrimage, let us recognize and properly honor the past, but also acknowledge the present and embrace opportunities for positive change.”

“I am honored to be able to welcome all of the participants of the 2026 Faith and Freedom Pilgrimage to my hometown of Charleston, South Carolina,” said Senator Tim Scott. “Charleston’s history predates the founding of our nation, and it is a place where faith has anchored communities through every trial this nation has faced. Here, the American promise has been imperfectly kept but never abandoned. I believe our nation is capable of living up to her founding ideals, and I look forward to exploring that with my colleagues. We will come together not in a spirit of division, but of unity, grateful for how far we have come and committed to the values that have carried us this far.”

“Hosting this bipartisan pilgrimage in Charleston is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Robert Traynham, President of the Faith & Politics Institute. “As we reflect on the theme One Country, One Destiny, we are reminded that understanding our history, especially in places as consequential as Charleston, is essential to building a more perfect union.”

Additional information on the Faith and Politics 2026 pilgrimage can be found here.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, where he emphasized that Democrats will continue to keep Donald Trump and Republicans accountable for their failure to keep America safe and make life affordable.

JEN PSAKI: Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Leader Jeffries, there is always something crazy to ask you about. So let me start there. I mean, as part of his obsession with pushing through the SAVE America Act, which is so inaccurately named, Trump reportedly told Mike Johnson ‘no one gives a [bleep] about housing.’ What’s your reaction to that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, it may be the case that Donald Trump’s billionaire friends who hang out with him regularly at Mar-a-Lago don’t care about housing because they own houses all across the country and the world. But everyday Americans certainly care about the cost of housing and the fact that housing costs have skyrocketed out of control both in terms of rent and in terms of the ability of everyday Americans to purchase a first home, which has always been central to the American dream. But you know this is all consistent with the fact that Donald Trump believes the affordability crisis is a hoax. This from the same guy who promised to lower costs on day one, but costs haven’t gone down under Donald Trump’s presidency. They’ve gone up. Housing costs, gone up. Healthcare costs have gone up. Grocery prices have gone up. Now gas prices have gone up. And utility costs have gone up. His presidency has been a complete and total failure.

JEN PSAKI: One of the things that is certainly contributing to that is, of course, the war in Iran that Donald Trump started, that he is continuing to advocate for and seems to have no plan for. Right now, as you know well, Republicans have a historically slim majority in the House. There’s so many people, it feels like there’s a new retirement being announced every single day. I know in the Senate, they are trying to get—to hold them to account by getting them to testify under oath, the key Cabinet members like Hegseth and Rubio. Have you thought about how you can exploit that razor-thin majority, especially as you kind of, especially given the unpopularity of the war in Iran, how costly it is, how much Americans hate it and how there doesn’t seem to be a plan here?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we certainly are going to continue to press for administration figures to show up. In fact, next week upon our returning to Congress, the House Intel Committee will have several members from the administration, in terms of the intelligence officials, testify publicly under oath about threats across the world that are directed to the United States of America. And we will certainly press them about the information that the administration claims to have with respect to whether there was actually any imminent plans for Iran to attack the United States, any suggestion that they had the capacity or capability to actually do it because we’ve seen no evidence to suggest that is true. We’ll press them on Iran’s nuclear aspirations, particularly given the fact that Donald Trump claimed several months ago that the United States had completely and totally obliterated Iran’s nuclear program. Now he’s saying something entirely different. And so, certainly, we will keep our foot on the gas pedal to get answers from the administration because nothing compelling has been forthcoming from this group of people who are really part of the Trump cartel.

JEN PSAKI: Today, as you well know, there were two separate shootings, one at a Michigan synagogue—and this could be something you raise next week, certainly—and another at Old Dominion University in Virginia. And we know there have been, of course, cuts at the FBI. There’s been a redirection of resources at the Department of Homeland Security made by this administration. Kash Patel is apparently training as an MMA fighter. Who knows what’s going on over there. But given the current rise in domestic security threats—what we saw today—given a lot of people watching right now are scared, do you trust that this administration has their eye on the ball here on the threats that are coming in potentially to this country?

LEADER JEFFRIES: No. It’s not clear at all that the administration has actually been focused on making sure that we are as safe and secure here in America, particularly because so many resources over the last 15 or so months from this administration have been directed at flooding ICE and making sure that these agents can be unleashed on American communities using taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens, as was the case with Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, and/or violently target law-abiding immigrant families when these extremists are the ones who promise to go after the worst of the worst and to focus only on violent criminals who are here illegally, and they’ve done the exact opposite. And so, the administration has been far too focused on jamming their extreme ideology down the throats of the American people, or doing things like the Trump tariffs, which of course are raising costs on everyday Americans as opposed to actually focusing on driving down the high cost of living, which is the Democratic plan. And so, unfortunately, you’re correct, Jen, that there’s been no evidence in real time that the administration is actually focused on the things that matter. And that’s one of the reasons why the war is so unpopular. And the American people have actually concluded, even in a recent Fox News poll, that this war is not making us safer. In fact, it may be putting us in harm’s way.

JEN PSAKI: Leader Hakeem Jeffries, so much on your plate every day. We’ll be looking forward to watching this hearing next week. Thank you so much for being here with me tonight.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, members of Maryland’s Congressional Delegation met with leaders from the Maryland Public Service Commission, the Maryland Energy Administration, the Office of People’s Counsel for the State of Maryland, and PJM Interconnection to discuss efforts to lower Marylanders’ electricity costs and strengthen the reliability of the regional electric grid. Video of the members’ press availability following the meeting is available here.

“At a time when Marylanders are facing financial strain at the hands of the Trump Administration, it is critical that we continue to combat rising energy prices for working families. I was glad to join my colleagues in the Maryland Congressional Delegation and leaders of the Maryland energy sector to discuss the critical issue of lowering costs while also strengthening the reliability of our regional electric grid. We will keep working with our state and regional partners to lower electricity costs for working families across our state,” said Congressman Hoyer.

“Too many Marylanders are already struggling to make ends meet and pay their electric bills, and the surge of data center development across our region is only making things worse. To address these rising costs – and to shore up our power grid – I’ll keep working alongside Federal Team Maryland with our regional, state, and local partners, and I’ll continue fighting to pass my Power for the People Act. Consumers should not have to pay one dime in additional electricity costs to support data centers for the richest companies on the planet,” said Senator Chris Van Hollen.

“This Administration lied when they said they would lower our costs. Rent, groceries, and utilities are skyrocketing and Marylanders are struggling to get by. I am so glad Team Maryland met with state leaders to discuss how we can actually lower Marylanders’ electricity costs,” said Senator Angela Alsobrooks.

“The urgent issue of energy affordability is hurting my constituents and their families,” said Congressman Kweisi Mfume. “I remain angry – that energy providers continue to rake in huge sums of money while the regulators fail to regulate. Working families cannot wait for another study, plan or proposal to address our skyrocketing electricity costs. The Maryland Public Service Commission must act swiftly to prevent any further utility rate increases moving forward, and PJM Interconnection must move swiftly to connect clean, affordable power sources to the grid that will help lower expensive utility rates. Congress must pass the POWER FOR THE PEOPLE ACT.”

“Marylanders should not be forced to shoulder skyrocketing energy costs. Large energy users like data centers should be responsible for building or securing the electricity they need instead of shifting those costs onto Maryland ratepayers. In addition, Maryland leadership should place a moratorium on the state taxes and fees that continue to drive up energy bills. Maryland families deserve reliable, affordable power, not policies that make their electricity more expensive,” said Congressman Andy Harris.

“The Trump economy is crushing Marylanders, especially as energy costs soar,” said Congressman Jamie Raskin. “Together, Team Maryland is taking matters into our own hands, working to invest in affordable and reliable energy solutions for all our families.”

“People in my district and across Maryland have seen their energy bills soar by over 20% in the past year, and this situation is not getting better. We are paying for data centers that are not located in Maryland nor in the interest of our constituents. We need common sense regulations that save us from this affordability crisis and prevent rolling blackouts on the grid that would put lives and livelihoods at risk,” said Congressman Glenn Ivey.  

“Every day I hear concerns about affordability and rising energy costs, and frankly, I share those concerns every time I open my own BGE bill. The data backs up what families are telling us: utility inflation has risen three times faster than general inflation, one in six households is carrying utility debt, and energy demand is expected to grow by 40 percent by 2032. All of this is happening while the President has effectively taken half of our future generation capacity off the table by cutting renewable energy projects,” said Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth. “Two things can be true: we can compete with China without abandoning critical environmental safeguards, and we can achieve energy and water independence without passing the costs directly onto consumers. But right now, that’s not what’s happening. Billions in data-center-driven transmission upgrade costs have already fallen onto ratepayers. That’s why Team Maryland is working together on real solutions so our neighbors aren’t caught footing the bill.” 

“Energy affordability is a major challenge right now as Marylanders continue to face crushing costs across the board. Rising demand from data centers, extreme weather, and the President’s disruptive energy policies are only driving prices higher for working families while benefiting the wealthy. Addressing this issue is a key part of my ‘Costs Down, Opportunity Up’ affordability agenda, and I’m proud to stand alongside Team Maryland’s delegation and our Governor as we work together to lead on solutions,” said Congresswoman April McClain Delaney.

“Maryland families are struggling with ever-increasing utility bills. Lowering the cost of living has to be the top priority for all levels of government. I will continue fighting to protect Maryland consumers and ensure we’re building out a reliable, sustainable and — most importantly — affordable energy future,” said Congressman Johnny Olszewski.

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

Pressley Has Stood in Vigorous Defense of Immigrant Communities in MA 7^th and Nationwide, Fighting to Bring Detained Neighbors Home

Press Availability Video (YouTube)

BURLINGTON, MA – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley visited the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Boston Field Office in Burlington, to conduct oversight of the operations and conditions of the facility.  Rep. Pressley engaged with ICE staff and leadership in a closed-door tour and discussion in the facility.

Following the visit, Rep. Pressley held a press availability to share what she learned and reiterate her commitment to fighting for the human rights and dignity of our neighbors and holding agencies accountable.

During the press availability, Rep. Pressley engaged with local organizers who have held weekly protests over the last several months at the Burlington ICE facility to support immigrant community members and their families.

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks at the press availability is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Conducts Oversight Visit at Burlington ICE Facility, Gets Answers, Demands Protections for Detained Community Members and Families
Burlington ICE Facility

March 12, 2026

Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley here in my capacity as a Member of Congress and as a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to conduct some real-time oversight.

I came here to observe the facilities and to ask questions and to demand answers on behalf of my constituents.

I’m leaving here with my position unchanged—that we need to defund and abolish ICE.

And, you know, it’s really important that we continue to conduct vigorous oversight.

I’ve had a number of constituents who have been unlawfully processed and detained.

And because of the dedicated work of my staff and working cooperatively with organizations like LUCE and other advocacy and immigrants’ rights organizations, we’ve been able to get a lot of people freed and reunited with their families and back home.

That being said, the trauma for what they’ve experienced will remain.

At the end of the day, ICE has only been in existence since 2003.

Immigration enforcement should not be happening under DHS.

This work has nothing to do with law and order if you are actively violating people’s constitutional rights of due process and, in many instances, their civil and human rights.

And it certainly has nothing to do with public safety if we are sowing terror and trauma and chaos.

And so, this is one tool available to us in the work of oversight writ large.

Appreciate you all being here because you recognize that our freedoms and our destinies are tied. And these are our neighbors.

As immigrant communities have been under siege by the Trump administration, Rep. Pressley has been a leading voice in pushing back and defending our immigrant neighbors.

In recent weeks, Rep. Pressley has shone light on the inhumane attacks by ICE on immigrant communities and pushed back against the reckless agency. During Oversight Democrats’ bicameral shadow hearing on the use of violence by ICE, Rep. Pressley highlighted the urgency of the moment by uplifting stories of traumatized community members she met with during her trip to Minnesota with Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and invoking the horrifying detention case of five-year-old Liam Ramos.

In the Massachusetts 7^th, Rep. Pressley has recognized and supported the many families torn apart and children suffering from the detention of a loved one—including harrowing attacks on Massachusetts families in their daily lives, abductions of dedicated workers at the Allston car wash, visiting Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk during her unlawful detention and pushing to bring her home, and more.

In February 2025, Rep. Pressley convened immigrant entrepreneurs and small business owners, community advocates, and municipal leaders to hear of the essential role that immigrant-owned small businesses play in Massachusetts’ economy and communities and how they are suffering under Trump’s attacks.

In January 2026, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey held a field hearing with members of the Haitian community on the importance of extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti. Testimony was documented in the Congressional Record.

Rep. Pressley also leads a discharge petition that could compel the House vote on a bill to require the Trump Administration to extend TPS for Haiti for three years. 

In February 2026, during Oversight Democrats’ bicameral shadow hearing on the use of violence by ICE, Rep. Pressley demanded Congress end qualified immunity to ensure federal law enforcement officers are held accountable for breaking the law and murdering civilians. Rep. Pressley called on her colleagues not to settle for bare minimum reforms in funding negotiations for the Department of Homeland Security, instead urging them to fight to rebalance power and restore accountability.

In January 2026, at the invitation of Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Pressley went to Minneapolis to meet with organizers and community members impacted by ICE’s violent operation in Minnesota, where they have murdered bystanders, terrorized schools and small businesses, and abducted children and parents.

Following the ICE murder of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Ed Markey (D-MA) introduced the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, which builds on the lawmakers’ prior work by granting victims the right to sue federal law enforcement officers—not just state and local—for civil rights violations and abolishing the defense of qualified immunity in these suits. The expanded legislation would help deliver accountability for families abused by law enforcement, including ICE agents.

Congresswoman Pressley delivered a floor speech on the need to end qualified immunity for federal law enforcement, including immigration officers. Watch the floor speech here.

In January 2026, Congresswoman Pressley condemned the ICE murder of Renee Good in Minnesota and motioned to subpoena all records and footage related to the shooting, but Republicans obstructed it. Footage of Congresswoman Pressley’s motion to subpoena is here.

In December 2025, Rep. Pressley convened and welcomed home the workers and families

impacted by the cruel and unlawful ICE raid at an Allston car wash in November. Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor condemning the Allston ICE raid and defended the vibrant immigrant communities who are being maliciously stolen from their homes, ripped from their families, and unlawfully detained and deported by the Trump Administration and Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In June 2025, Congresswoman Pressley convened immigrant justice advocates, local leaders, and impacted families to tell Donald Trump and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): Hands off our immigrant neighbors. 

Rep. Pressley has also been an outspoken critic against the unlawful detention of Rümeysa Öztürk, a Tufts PhD student, Somerville resident, and constituent of the Congresswoman’s who was unlawfully detained for weeks in retaliation for her protected speech. After weeks of advocacy and Congressional oversight, including a visit to detention centers in Louisiana, Rep. Pressley and Senator Ed Markey welcomed Ms. Öztürk to Massachusetts following her arrival from ICE detention in Louisiana.

Rep. Pressley has also spoken out against reports of ICE activity in the MA 7th and other municipalities in Massachusetts.

As a leading voice and legislator, Rep. Pressley’s advocacy to protect children from abuse and trauma dates back to her days as a Boston City Councilor. In her first term in Congress, she partnered with the late Chairman Elijah Cummings to hold the first Congressional hearing on childhood trauma on the Committee on Oversight and Reform.

Rep. Pressley leads the STRONG Support for Children Act, which would support communities in addressing childhood trauma through healing-centered, neighborhood-based, gender-responsive, culturally specific, and trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge the impact of systemic racism and inequities over generations. She has called for such trauma-informed and child-centered approaches to every issue, including: surging baby formula to Gaza, addressing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on students, addressing sexual harassment targeting children and women girls, committing to end gun violence, and more.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is delighted to announce that Alek Timuialatogo West of Vatia has been accepted for admittance to both the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis and the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. He has accepted his first choice to attend the Naval Academy, with interest in being a Navy Psychiatrist. 

“I’m so pleased to announce Alek has been accepted to these two prestigious Service Academies,” said Congresswoman Amata. “He now has a fully qualified appointment to the Naval Academy. Congratulations on this excellent achievement, and all the hard work and dedication through his high school years to achieve this outcome. A special thank you and congratulations to his family, teachers, Samoana High School, and most of all his proud parents. It’s always a thrill to congratulate our outstanding students as they choose their pathways to higher education.”

A Service Academy acceptance requires high grades from beginning to end of high school. The Service Academies require strong academics, high test scores, and additionally, the demonstration of extracurricular activities, volunteering, or other roles that show leadership and motivation.

Congresswoman Amata nominated Alek this January among a group of six student nominees who sent in nine total Service Academy applications this year from American Samoa. His extra-curricular efforts include Finafinau environmental efforts, such as clean up and planting, as well as youth athletics coaching and volunteering. 

Congresswoman Amata’s Chief of Staff, Col. Leafaina Tavai (Ret.), was the first service academy graduate from American Samoa, graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. She recommends that motivated students consider applying to multiple Academies, recognizing that the applications are time-consuming, but students cannot be nominated without a completed application on file with the Academy. 

The Service Academies are selective and highly competitive, and she notes prospective applicants should not forget there are five total Service Academy possibilities, including the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York, and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. The Coast Guard Academy does not include a congressional nomination process, but the Congresswoman will be very happy to highlight and congratulate any Academy acceptance, as American Samoa takes pride in each of these students. 

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