Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) voted against S. 1071, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026, which passed the House by a vote of 312-112, and released the following statement: 

“I could not in good conscience support this year’s NDAA. Our service members deserve a defense bill that strengthens our military and supports their families, not one that strips away rights, fails to constrain the Trump administration’s abuse of the military, and injects partisan politics into our armed forces.

“This bill includes deeply troubling provisions that promote discrimination and dismantle diversity efforts that help ensure every qualified service member can serve with dignity and respect. It also rejects expanded access to IVF for TRICARE beneficiaries, denying access to this reproductive health care for military families who sacrifice so much in service to our country. This bill also includes anti-labor provisions that undermine civilian employees’ collective bargaining rights. These provisions do nothing to strengthen our national defense. Instead, they weaken morale, damage recruitment and retention, and betray the fundamental principle that every service member deserves equal treatment and respect.

“Further, this NDAA authorizes a record-breaking level of funding for the Department of Defense, which remains the only federal agency unable to pass an audit. And while I am relieved that Democrats succeeded in mandating transparency into the administration’s unconstitutional deadly strikes on boats in international waters, it does not prevent Secretary Hegseth from continuing this unexplained and unjustified campaign. And though today a federal judge ruled that the President’s National Guard deployment in Los Angeles is illegal, this NDAA nevertheless fails to stop the administration’s ever-expanding deployments of servicemembers in American cities around the country. 

“For these reasons, I voted no.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

Bill would reduce visa backlogs, boost efficiency across the immigration process, and ensure a fairer, more humane process for immigrant families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep Judy Chu (CA-28), Senator Mazie Hirono (HI) reintroduced the Reuniting Families Act of 2025. This legislation would strengthen protections for immigrant families and address long-standing problems in a family immigration system that hasn’t seen meaningful reform in more than three decades. 

Today, nearly four million people with approved visa applications remain trapped in a massive immigration backlog, with many waiting more than a decade to reunite with their loved ones. This crisis is the direct result of an outdated system that has not seen meaningful reform for more than thirty years. The Reuniting Families Act tackles these delays by recapturing unused visas, rolling them into future years, expanding who qualifies as a family member to include permanent partners, and increasing both the total number of available family preference visas and per-country limits.

The individuals stuck in these backlogs have approved applications and are ready to contribute to our communities and strengthen the American economy. No one, regardless of where they come from, should be forced to wait decades to reunite with family or begin building a life in the United States. We need a system that is safer, more efficient, and better equipped to uphold both America’s security and its commitment to humanity.

This bill tackles several major challenges within the immigration system. Among the key improvements are:

1. More than doubling number of available family preference visas
2. Raising existing per-country yearly visa limits, so the wait is not so long for countries with high levels of migration
3. Setting an absolute time limit on visa processing, so no applicant has to wait more than 10 years for a visa if they have an approved application

“Family-based immigration makes our country stronger. But our broken immigration system is preventing individuals from reuniting with their loved ones and contributing to our communities and economies. With over four million individuals with approved visa applications stuck in limbo through no fault of their own, families are needlessly suffering,” said Rep. Chu.  “That’s why I am proud to reintroduce the commonsense Reuniting Families Act of 2025 with Senator Hirono to ensure that no one should have to wait years, sometimes decades, to reunite with a loved one and to ensure our family-based immigration system works more efficiently and humanely.”

“Immigrant families currently experience unnecessary obstacles and delays due to our country’s broken immigration system, keeping families separated for potentially long periods of time,” said Senator Hirono. “By reducing family-based immigration backlogs and making common sense updates to how we treat families, the Reuniting Families Act will help take the first step in the right direction to keeping families together as they navigate our immigration system.”

“Asian Americans Advancing Justice is proud to support Rep. Judy Chu’s reintroduction of the Reuniting Families Act (RFA), which will make it easier for immigrant families to reunite through a family-based immigration system. Family-based immigration has been the cornerstone of the United States for decades, laying the foundation for immigrant communities, including Asian Americans, to settle down and contribute to our nation’s vibrant social and economic fabric,” said Asian Americans Advancing Justice, a network of four independent Asian American civil rights organizations. “However, our immigration system has broken down without a fix for over thirty years, keeping families separated with millions of people stuck in backlogs abroad. Families have the right to be together and should not have to spend decades apart. This bill is a beacon of hope to make our immigration system more humane, and it is a meaningful step toward bringing loved ones back together.”

“Fifty years ago, millions of Southeast Asian families were forced to flee war and genocide in Cambodia, Laos, and Vietnam, separated from their loved ones in order to survive. Today, our backlogged family immigration system continues to keep Southeast Asian American families apart, and that backlog has only continued to grow for our communities as this Administration prevents immigration from Laos,” said Quyen Dinh, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Resource Action Center (SEARAC). “The Reuniting Families Act (RFA) restores compassion to our immigration system by preventing families from waiting decades to reunite and expanding relief for those facing deportation. As families across the country continue to be torn apart by this administration’s cruel immigration enforcement policies, we applaud Rep. Judy Chu for her leadership and commitment to keeping families whole. SEARAC is committed to working alongside Rep. Chu and our partners to ensure all families have the opportunity to reunite with their loved ones and heal.”

“In a time when immigrant families are facing unprecedented levels of cruelty and family separation, we urgently need legislation like the Reuniting Families Act (RFA) to reform our inefficient and inhumane immigration system,” said Angelica Salas, Executive Director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA). “For decades, we have endured the repercussions of this broken immigration system, which includes a significant backlog of family visas. CHIRLA welcomes the RFA, as it recognizes that family unity lies at the core of our immigration system and that immigrants are human beings who contribute to and strengthen our nation.”

“The Reuniting Families Act (RFA) directly addresses the needs of our communities by ensuring that family members are not subjected to extensive and often distressing visa processing delays,” said Nils Kinuani, Federal Policy Manager of African Communities Together (ACT). “By streamlining the family-based immigration system, this bill facilitates the quicker reunification of families, which is vital for both the individuals involved and the broader community.”

The bill is endorsed by American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), CenterLink: The Community of LGBTQ Centers, Church World Service, Coalition on Human Needs, COOLJC Region 8 SJEREC, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC), Franciscan Action Network, Global Refuge, Japanese American Citizens League, Mennonite Central Committee U.S., National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association, National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), National Council of Jewish Women, National Korean American Service & Education Consortium (NAKASEC), National Tongan American Society, NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, Refugee Council USA, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF), Southeast Asia Resource Action Center (SEARAC), Stop AAPI Hate, Union for Reform Judaism, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, Woodhull Freedom Foundation, Regional/State/Local Groups, AAPI Equity Alliance, ACLU People Power Fairfax, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, Ayuda, BISN, BRIJ PEACE EMPOWERERS, Caribbean Equality Project (CEP), Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto, Equality California, HANA Center, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), InterReligious Task Force on Central America, Just Neighbors, Khmer Maine, Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition, Mountain State Justice, Ohio Immigrant Coalition, OPAWL – Building AAPI Feminist Leadership, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, R320 Design, Reconciling & Social Justice Team 1st United Methodist Church Sacramento, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), SWMI Indivisible, Transformations CDC, WADEIn New Jersey

To see a 1-pager of the bill click here.

To see the bill click here.

Click here for a section-by-section of the bill.

Click here for a brief video statement from Rep. Chu on the bill. 

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

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) raised concerns about allegations of systemic abuse at numerous veterinary schools across the country. In a letter to 36 veterinary medicine schools, Congressman Cleaver called on the institutions to provide information about their policies and procedures to better understand the issue and what can be done to ensure students are not being abused.

Following several reports of troubling complaints, including patient care suffering due to 100-hour workweeks and students losing 15 pounds in a single month due to inadequate time to eat, Rep. Cleaver is pushing the universities to share information about what protections are in place for students, as well as how universities ensure students are not exploited for their free labor in the name of education.

“I believe strongly that our higher education institutions should provide rigorous curriculums that guarantee students will receive the best education and experience possible, ensuring they are capable and qualified when they enter into the workforce,” said Congressman Cleaver. “However, just as we have taken steps to ensure colleges and universities are not taking advantage of student athletes for institutional monetary benefit, we must ensure that students at veterinary medicine schools are not being exploited. Unfortunately, with numerous allegations of abuse, it appears we have more work to do—and I’m hopeful that these institutions will provide information to address these concerns and ensure proper protections are in place.”

The letter was delivered to the following universities: Auburn University; Colorado State University; Cornell University; Iowa State University; Kansas State University; Lincoln Memorial University; Long Island University; Louisiana State University; Michigan State University; Midwestern University; Mississippi State University; North Carolina State University; Oklahoma State University; Oregon State University; Purdue University; Rowan University; Texas A&M University; Texas Tech University; The Ohio State University; Tufts University; Tuskegee University; Universidad Ana G. Mendez; University of Arizona; University of California, Davis; University of Florida; University of Georgia; University of Illinois; University of Minnesota; University of Missouri-Columbia; University of Pennsylvania; University of Tennessee; University of Wisconsin-Madison; Utah State University; Virginia Tech University; Washington State University; Western University of Health Sciences.

The official letter from Rep. Cleaver is available 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 – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Kansas City, MO) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II released the following statement after the Missouri Housing Development Commission announced additional investments in the Parade Park Homes redevelopment project.

“After securing $15 million in federal funding to support the redevelopment of Parade Park, I’m thrilled that the Missouri Housing Development Commission has approved a package of federal and state support, including $6,575,000 in Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), $2,400,000 in HOME funds and $32 million in tax-exempt bond authority, demonstrating significant support for affordable housing.

“Whether at the federal, state, or local level, Missourians are demanding action to expand the supply of affordable housing so that we can lower costs for hardworking families. Parade Park is a perfect example of what we can accomplish when collaboration occurs between the public and private sector. 

“As the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, I will continue pushing bipartisan reforms like my HOME Reform Act to ensure more affordable housing projects like Parade Park can move forward in the months and years ahead.”

Since 2022, Congressman Cleaver has worked with HUD and local officials to stabilize Parade Park and chart a path to preserve affordable housing, ensuring the property was sold by HUD to the City of Kansas City for redevelopment last year. Following the City’s conveyance of the property to Twelfth Street Heritage Corporation, a non-profit, Rep. Cleaver has strongly advocated for additional investments to support redevelopment while ensuring it remains affordable to local and longtime residents. In January of this year, Rep. Cleaver announced $15,514,225 in federal grant funding through HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program which supports the development, rehabilitation, and acquisition of housing for low-income elderly persons. 

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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 – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Co-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) Tech Initiative, along with Representative LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), reintroduced the Workforce of the Future Act, legislation that would require a detailed study to grow our understanding of artificial intelligence (AI), its impact on the economy and workforce, and determine the skills necessary for workers to succeed. Additionally, the bill would provide workers, teachers, and students with the resources to develop integral skills required to participate in the workforce of the future. Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Sens. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), and Adam Schiff (D-CA).

“While there is much excitement about the potential of AI and the benefits it can bring to our communities, there is also much concern about the impacts it will have on American workers, their jobs, and their wages. It is critically important that we take steps today to prepare our nation and our workforce for the economic consequences that are rapidly approaching with the growing adoption of AI,” said Congressman Cleaver. “The Workforce of the Future Act will provide the investments necessary to ensure American workers are ready and able to capitalize on those opportunities and that nobody is left behind.” 

“Working people deserve innovation that expands opportunity—not eliminates it. Strengthening our understanding of how AI is impacting jobs in real time and investing directly in education makes sure Americans are not caught flat-footed as AI accelerates,” said Rep. McIver. “By prioritizing training that delivers economic gains to young people and underrepresented communities, the Workforce of the Future Act puts power back where it belongs: with the people who keep our economy running.”

“Artificial intelligence is increasingly disrupting our economy, contributing to layoffs and occupational changes,” said Senator Blunt Rochester. “Building off the work done by Senator Laphonza Butler in the last Congress, I’m proud to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act alongside Senators Hirono and Schiff and Representatives Cleaver and McIver. This bill allows us to remain proactive, protect workers who are most impacted by the technology, and supercharge the future of work by ensuring our future workforce has the skills they need to succeed. As Delaware’s former Secretary of Labor, I have spent my career ensuring people can access and maintain stable, good-paying jobs. I will maintain this commitment in the Senate as we race to confront the challenges of tomorrow.”

“AI is already transforming every corner of our economy in California and across the country. That’s why it’s critical the federal government do more to evaluate how AI will impact workers, while also investing in job training programs to prevent AI-related job displacement,” said Senator Schiff.  “I’m pleased to join Senators Blunt Rochester and Hirono as well as Representatives Cleaver and McIver on the Workforce of the Future Act. We must act now to gain a full understanding of the impact of AI on the workplace, so we can ensure access to good paying jobs for the American people even as technology changes how we work.”

“As advanced and emerging technologies—including AI—become rapidly integrated within society, it is imperative that we prepare our workforce for these changes,” said Senator Hirono. “Specifically, we must ensure advances enabled by AI are used to strengthen, not weaken, the workforce. I am proud to introduce the Workforce of the Future Act to better prepare and equip workers with the skills necessary to adapt to AI and a rapidly-changing work environment.”

Without proper guardrails, the impact AI could have on our economy is wide-ranging. According to studies from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), AI could replace nearly 12 percent of the workforce. Currently, many recent college grads report being unable to find work. This legislation addresses the most pressing concerns behind AI’s rapid advancement in our workforce while also providing resources to prepare individuals to succeed in advanced technology sectors.

The Workforce of the Future Act will:

• Require the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Educationto jointly and efficiently prepare a report analyzing AI’s impact on the economy and workforce that must identify critical information, including what industries and jobs will be most impacted, how job quality will be impacted, necessary skills for workers, and recommendations for preparing the 21st century workforce.
• Authorize the Department of Education to award $160 million in grants to support expanding access to emerging and advanced technology education. Grants will help support foundational and innovative STEAM learning for students who need this knowledge to participate in the 21st century workforce.
  • Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and may be used for teacher training and recruiting, high-quality learning materials, reducing gaps in access for underrepresented groups, engaging industry, and providing necessary support for student success.
• Authorize the Department of Labor to award $90 million in grants to support workforce training for workers most impacted by AI.
  • Grants must leverage information and recommendations from the report and support the training of workers to prevent AI-related displacement and provide immediate support and training to workers who experience job loss in AI-impacted industries.

The Workforce of the Future Act is co-sponsored by Representatives Dan Goldman (D-NY), John Larson (D-CT), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

The Workforce of the Future Act is endorsed by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Anthropic, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), Microsoft, the National Association of Voice Actors (NAVA), OpenAI, the Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA), the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).

Official text of the Workforce of the Future Act is available. 

 

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 – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, Mike Flood (R-NE), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Housing & Insurance, Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Financial Services, and French Hill (R-AR), Chairman of the House Committee on Financial Services, unveiled the bipartisan Housing for the 21^st Century Act.

This bipartisan housing package will streamline housing development and affordability by updating outdated programs, removing regulatory roadblocks, and increasing local control.

“The cost of living remains the most urgent challenge facing Americans in every region of the country, and tackling that crisis begins with bipartisan, comprehensive housing reform,” said Ranking Member Cleaver. “Over the past year, Ranking Member Waters, Chairman Flood, Chairman Hill, and I have worked with Committee members on legislation that cuts unnecessary red tape, accelerates the development of affordable housing, and reduces costs for hardworking families. I’m proud of the bipartisan package we are introducing today and look forward to working with the House and Senate to advance critical housing legislation to the president’s desk.”

“As housing gets more expensive, the American Dream of homeownership is slipping away for working families,” said Chairman Flood. “This package is the product of bipartisan work in the Financial Services Committee to address some of the core issues driving up the cost of housing. I want to thank Chairman Hill, Ranking Member Waters and my counterpart on the Housing and Insurance Subcommittee Ranking Member Emanuel Cleaver for working together to produce this strong, bipartisan package. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation through the committee, move it across the House floor, and ultimately to get these critical reforms enacted into law.”

“Today, I am pleased that our Committee is finally taking the lead on advancing meaningful housing legislation,” said Ranking Member Waters. “The Housing for the 21st Century Act reflects a shared recognition that our affordable housing crisis demands real solutions and coordinated effort. This is a historic moment for our Committee, and I commend Chairman Hill for his leadership and Subcommittee Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver for joining in this effort. Under previous Republican Committee Chairmen, housing has either been ignored or put on the table for dismantlement. Through our partnership on this legislation, we are showing that housing is truly a bipartisan issue and that we can all come together to bring down costs and expand access to housing for all Americans. I also appreciate the work of my Senate colleagues in passing the ROAD to Housing Act, some of which is included in the House bill. While I was disappointed ROAD was not included in the NDAA, there is clearly broad bipartisan support in both Chambers to advance housing legislation. Our legislation, the Housing for the 21st Century Act, builds on my lifelong efforts to create long-term affordability and opportunity in housing, and represents an important first step towards finally solving our housing crisis once and for all. I want to be clear, however, that today’s introduction is not a final product, as I know there are many more important, bipartisan ideas that I and other Members of the House will want to include as the bill advances. Nevertheless, when we pass the Housing for the 21st Century Act into law, we will move closer to a future where every family, no matter their income or ZIP code, has a safe, stable, and affordable place to call home. I look forward to moving this bill through the Committee process and to the House floor as quickly as possible. Millions of renters, homeowners, elderly, veterans and people experiencing homelessness are counting on us to act with urgency.”

“Our Committee is dedicated to finding new ways to foster a home building and buying environment where achieving the American Dream is in reach for our families across the nation,” said Chairman Hill. Our goal is to chart a path forward toward greater development capacity and a simplified regulatory framework. I’m proud to advance this package with Ranking Member Waters, Subcommittee Chair Flood, and Ranking Member Cleaver to tackle housing costs and access challenges for American homeowners and renters. We look forward to moving this bill through regular order and working with our Senate counterparts in the new year to get a bill signed into law that reflects ideas from both chambers and delivers real results for American families.”

The Housing for the 21^st Century Act includes multiple reforms introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and various colleagues, such as:

• HOME Reform Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Chairman Flood, the legislation is the most significant reform to the HOME program since authorization in 1990 and would increase the supply of decent, safe, sanitary, and affordable housing.
• Rural Housing Service Program Improvements: The legislation includes sections of the Rural Housing Service Reform Act, introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA), representing the most significant Rural Housing Service reforms in decades. The included sections would allow for greater use of the Rural Housing Service Section 504 Home Repair Program, including expanding participation to include more low-income families, among other provisions.   
• Choice in Affordable Housing Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY), the Choice in Affordable Housing Act is a major reform the HUD’s Section 8 program that would streamline the program and increase the number of private landlords participating in the program.  
• Manufactured Housing Innovations: The legislation includes the Housing Supply Expansion Act of 2025, introduced by Rep. Cleaver and Rep. Rose (R-TN), which would update the federal definition of manufactured housing and allow for more efficient and cost-effective designs. Additionally, the housing package includes legislation introduce by Chairman Flood and Ranking Member Cleaver that would streamline energy efficiency and safety standards for manufactured housing.
• HUD Accountability Act: Introduced by Ranking Member Cleaver and Rep. Lawler, the HUD Accountability Act requires the Secretary of HUD to testify on an annual basis before Congress.

Official text of the Housing for the 21st Century Act is available here.

A one-pager for the Housing for the 21^st Century Act is available here.

A section-by-section of the Housing for the 21^st Century Act is available 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 – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced today that he will host a virtual End of Year Town Hall on Monday, December 15^th at 6:00 p.m. PT to share a recap of his efforts in Congress on behalf of CA-10 this year, preview his legislative priorities for 2026, and take questions from constituents.

Virtual End of Year Town Hall 
Monday, December 15^th
6:00 p.m. PT
Hosted on Zoom 
Streamed to YouTube

To reserve your spot and receive a Zoom link or to request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 254^th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that Rushil Baindla, Imran Mirza, Nikhil Kalburgi, and Riddhish Saravanan of Dublin are the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge (CAC) for California’s 10^th Congressional District. 

Baindla, Mirza, Kalburgi, and Saravanan, all juniors at Emerald High School, created Synapse Match. Inspired by their teacher’s unexpected Parkinson’s diagnosis, the group designed this app to help in identifying early-stage symptoms of Parkinson’s disease and related conditions through artificial intelligence. The app uses existing patient data, an audio analysis tool, and motor assessment to predict the likelihood of Parkinson’s disease.

“I am truly impressed by the incredible talent demonstrated at this year’s app challenge,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “We received a record number of submissions this year and I am amazed by the innovation and ingenuity shown by all of our participants. I appreciate that the Congressional App Challenge provides young people with an opportunity to build their skills and show their creativity. Congratulations to Rushil, Imran, Nikhil, and Riddhish!”

Second place was awarded to Adhyayan Veer Singh of San Ramon for his app Scholify, which helps to connect students with scholarship opportunities tailored to their interests, experience, and goals. Third place was awarded to Jayden Wong of Moraga. Jayden created CellLab, an interactive game designed to foster curiosity and excitement in biology education. 

This year’s winning apps were selected by a panel of judges from the STEM and education fields, all of whom live or work in California’s 10^th Congressional District.

The CAC is a public initiative to encourage young people to learn how to code in an effort to inspire creativity and encourage interest in STEM education. In the first seven years of the competition, the CAC has inspired over 40,000 students across all 50 states to code. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) called on the U.S. House of Representatives to take up the Pharmacists Fight Back Act to rein in the abusive practices of Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs), the middlemen of drug pricing. The bipartisan legislation is led by Congressman Jake Auchincloss (MA-04) and Congresswoman Diana Harshberger (TN-01).

Congressman Bishop was joined by Congressman Buddy Carter (GA-01) as well as Nikki Bryant, owner of Adams Family Pharmacy in Preston, Georgia, in speaking at a press conference in support of the legislation.

They were joined by over 50 independent pharmacists and pharmacy owners from across America, including Texas, California, Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana, Tennessee, Ohio, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, Georgia, North Carolina, New York, Michigan, Arkansas, and Virginia, all who have shared their stories about fighting to keep pharmacies from closing. On average, one independent pharmacy closes each day in the United States.

“The largest PBMs today exercise significant power over what drugs are available, at what price, and what pharmacies that patients can use to access their prescribed medications – all with very little accountability or transparency,” said Congressman Bishop during his remarks at the event.

Congressman Bishop added, “The bipartisan Pharmacists Fight Back Bills that we have introduced will provide fair and predictable reimbursement for pharmacies and fight drug pricing manipulation by providing market-based index pricing. These bills will prevent the PBMs from steering patients towards PBM-owned pharmacies, allowing patients to use the pharmacists of their choice and expanding access to prescription drug care. With the high cost of prescription drugs, it is important that when we can get savings, these are shared with patients and providers, not just pocketed by the middlemen. These bills do that by reforming PBM rebate practices. Finally, these bills have teeth, and they include robust enforcement mechanisms to ensure that the PBMs comply.”

WATCH: Bishop Calls on Congress to Move Legislation to Help Lower Prescription Drug Costs

WATCH: The Full Press Conference Announcing the Pharmacists Fight Back Act

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PHOTO: Congressman Bishop in front of the U.S. Capitol with Nikki Bryant of Preston, Georgia, and pharmacists from across the country to urge the U.S. House to take up prescription drug legislation, the Pharmacists Fight Back Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, the Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted to pass the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26). The bill received bipartisan support and was approved by a vote of 312-112. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

The bill provides critical investments in national defense, supports America’s service members, and enhances global security at the time of growing challenges around the world. 

“This year’s defense bill provides our service members with the tools, resources and respect they deserve, including a well-earned 3.8% pay increase,” said Congressman Bishop. “This bipartisan legislation responsibly strengthens our national security, supports our troops, and invests in the readiness and wellbeing of military families. It ensures the United States remains strong both at home and alongside our allies abroad.”

“I will continue to fight to ensure we take care of our military families as well as our servicemembers who protect our country across the world and here at home,” added Congressman Bishop, who also serves as the co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus.

The FY26 NDAA authorizes $890 billion for the Department of Defense and related national security programs, reflecting months of bipartisan work in the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. The bill includes the most significant overhaul of the defense acquisition system in a generation, major investments in science and technology, and key quality-of-life improvements for service members and Defense Department civilian employees. 

Georgia’s Second Congressional District is home to some of the nation’s most important military installations, including Fort Benning, Robins Air Force Base, and Marine Corps Logistics Base Albany. The 3.8% military pay increase will directly benefit thousands of service members and families across the Second Congressional District, strengthening local communities and bolstering military readiness.

The bill also supports improvements to housing, childcare, education, mental health services, and military health care, all vital to Georgia’s military families and the missions of the state’s military installations. This past August, Congressman Bishop hosted the 2025 Military Family Summit at the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center next to Fort Benning in Columbus, Georgia. Many of these topics were addressed during the day-long symposium.

Earlier this year, Congressman Bishop co-led the introduction of legislation to improve military housing as well as promote family stability by helping make moves in the line of duty less frequent and more efficient by working with the Republican co-chair of the Congressional Military Family Caucus, Congresswoman Jen Kiggans of Virginia.

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