Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

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 Beat, where he made clear that Democrats remain committed to pushing back against Donald Trump’s war of choice, lowering costs, fixing our broken healthcare system and cleaning up corruption.

ARI MELBER: New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries is, of course, the Democratic Minority Leader. Thanks for joining me tonight.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Great to be with you.

ARI MELBER: What is your response to the news of these strikes and your view of what the United States should be doing in the US interest to try to resolve this, and for Americans to try to get gas prices back under control?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, Donald Trump’s reckless and costly war of choice has been a disaster for the American people. This has now gone on for more than a hundred days. And as a direct result of this war, gas prices have gone up, food prices have gone, up and inflation has gone up. In Congress, we, of course, were able to successfully, last week in the House, pass a War Powers Resolution over the objection of both Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson to end this reckless and costly war of choice in Iran. And we’re hopeful that the Senate is going to take this up in short order and do exactly the same thing. You know, this was always a bad idea in terms of Donald Trump getting us involved in this conflict and he lied to the American people. Donald Trump said that he was elected not to start wars, but to stop them. And then he turned around and did the exact opposite.

ARI MELBER: Yeah, Congressman, it’s interesting, you know, sometimes people out in the country feel like, well, what are the Democrats even doing? I’m sure you’ve heard that criticism at times. And yet here, your Caucus has engineered one of the fastest uses of war powers limits in the early stage of a war. And so what would happen if you got the Senate involved? Would this actually, in your view, help shorten or end hostilities?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, without question. I mean, Donald Trump should have never gone to war without seeking the authorization of the United States Congress. That’s in Article I of the Constitution. Of course, he ignores these things, which is why, from the very beginning, we began to introduce and press our case in terms of War Powers Resolutions. And now we’ve managed to convince four Republicans to join us, giving us the ability to have successfully moved this in the House. In the court of public opinion, of course, we know that this war is deeply unpopular for all of the reasons that we’ve talked about, Ari. It’s been a disaster in terms of the pocketbooks and the economics of the American people. And Donald Trump has had the nerve to say he doesn’t care about the personal finances of everyday Americans. And we continue to see that. You know, Donald Trump and the administration, including the so-called Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth—they had no plan, they had no strategy, no objectives and no real visibility into how to get us out of a conflict that they got us into in the first place.

ARI MELBER: You mentioned pocketbook. So, if Democrats actually win the midterms, what changes for people’s pocketbooks, gas prices and now what has been, as you mentioned, an inflation problem?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, the cost of living in the United States of America is far too high. This country is far too expensive. And there are too many people who are working hard, they’re playing by the rules and they’re struggling to live paycheck to paycheck. Can’t thrive and can barely survive. And that’s unacceptable in the wealthiest country in the history of the world. And so, we’re committed to focusing relentlessly on the affordability crisis in a variety of areas—that includes housing and healthcare, gas and utilities, groceries and goods and caregiving, which of course includes both child care and elder care, the entire trajectory of one’s life.

ARI MELBER: Will the midterms be secure? Congress, under Republicans, has pushed this money for immigration. There’s a concern ICE or federal agents could be misused. How do you address that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, we believe that we have to operate under the assumption that Republicans are going to do everything they can to try to rig the midterm elections because the reality is they have no track record of accomplishment, no vision to present to the American people. We’ve undertaken now, for months, putting together the greatest, largest voter protection effort in modern American history, working with our partners in the Senate, Governors across the country, Democratic Attorneys General, Democratic Secretaries of State, as well as every aspect of civil society. That includes the civil rights groups, organized labor, democracy protection groups, good government groups and, of course, the faith community. And we have to continue to make sure that this election is going to be free and fair, because we believe, when it is a free and fair election, the American people are going to reject Republican extremism, and they’re going to give Democrats control of the House of Representatives.

ARI MELBER: If that happens, you would become Speaker. That’s a big deal. We’ve known you a long time here. I don’t know if you’ll answer this question, but is there anything you can think of if you were Speaker that in those final two years of Trump, because he is constitutionally barred from anything else, that you could actually work with him on, something where you guys would meet up and pass something?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I think as Democrats, our view is, look, we’ve got to do three things. We’ve got to drive down the high cost of living, we have to fix our broken healthcare system and we have to clean up corruption in Washington. So that’s the Congress, that’s certainly the Supreme Court—and we need dramatic change as it relates to the Supreme Court—and, of course, with this administration, the Trump cartel, the most corrupt administration in America.

ARI MELBER: Yeah, I don’t think he’ll help you with corruption. At least under the legal definition, he’s doing it.

LEADER JEFFRIES: I mean, you know, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is an ongoing crime scene. So you’re absolutely correct, Ari. We don’t expect that we’re going to get any help there. We’re going to lean in to aggressive accountability, consistent with our role as House Members to be a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch. But if Donald Trump is actually willing to work with us so we can help him keep his promise to the American people, which was to lower the cost of living, then maybe there’ll be an opportunity to get some big things done.

ARI MELBER: Understood. We don’t know whether he’d even want to say that he’s helping you lower inflation because of the way he’s been talking. And, you know, people can make up their own minds about why he sounds like this. I don’t think we’ve ever heard a President talk about the economy like this. I want to get your response to what he said here.

RECORDING OF REPORTER: Are you concerned, Mr. President, about the latest inflation number which came out this morning—

RECORDING OF DONALD TRUMP: No, I love it. The numbers were great. You know what I really love? I love the inflation.

ARI MELBER: Your response?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, it was sort of an extraordinary statement. But I also think we have to put this into context. Donald Trump believes there’s no affordability crisis in the United States of America. He’s called it a hoax. Donald Trump has directly said he doesn’t care about the personal finances of the American people. And now Donald Trump has said he loves the inflation. And at the end of the day, I think the reality is, the only conclusion that we can draw is that he doesn’t give a damn about making life better for everyday Americans, which is one of the reasons why life has gotten more costly and has gotten worse for everyday Americans, both as a result of the Trump Tariffs, which have increased costs by thousands of dollars per year. He’s gone after ripping healthcare away from everyday Americans—millions of people—as a result of his actions in the One Big Ugly Bill. And now, of course, the reckless war of choice in Iran.

ARI MELBER: Turning to another big topic in the Congress, today Bill Gates was testifying about the Epstein investigation. Yesterday, Congress finally, after all these years, brought in one of his top top employees who the FBI at one time investigated as a “suspected co-conspirator.” And the New York Times had this headline today about what a crisis mode the White House was in over Epstein and also holding these Situation Room meetings, considering at least potentially a pardon for his sex trafficking help, Maxwell there. You look at how the Situation Room has been used historically, Presidents in both parties—we have Obama and Biden in there—using it to mind national security, to go after, for example, we have the photo with bin Laden that many Americans remember. Your response to the disclosures in this article, and your view of what the committee is achieving with these new Epstein witness testimony, private hearings.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, under the leadership of Ranking Member Robert Garcia, the soon-to-be Chairman, the Oversight Committee Democrats have done a great job of standing up on behalf of the Epstein survivors who’ve demanded two things—transparency and accountability. And so, we’ve forced the administration to date to release about 3 million documents related to the Epstein saga, but they of course continue to withhold another approximately 3 million. And we’re not going to relent until every single document is released to the public, until every single bit of information to be acquired is acquired by the Congress on behalf of the American people. And so, what we’ve seen over the last two days is part of that continuing effort because what the Epstein saga represents is just a horrific abuse of power by men of privilege and a corrupting of the system, doing great harm to these incredibly resilient, brilliant and courageous survivors. And we can never allow something like this to happen again. And that’s why I think House Democrats will continue to press the case and work with a handful of Republicans who’ve decided to step up in this regard, of course Congressman Massie being an example.

ARI MELBER: Yeah, it’s interesting, Congressman, you and I have spoken before about these narratives people have. Sometimes the media gets into this. It’s all one brush. This is a story that’s been different. You mentioned Massie, who is a Republican who stood up for transparency against Trump. People say, does that ever happen? Garcia, who you mentioned and the folks you’ve empowered on your side, working for legal transparency in a way that is very different than Trump and others thought this story would go two years ago. So that’s interesting. We did that here in your limited time. We talked about the war and the economy. Before I let you go, we have a lighter topic, a New Yorker that you and I both know of a little bit has said, you know, he’s so spiked out, he could trip a referee. We’ve seen the photos of you with your Knicks hat and gear and excitement as a New Yorker. I want to let you weigh in on Knicks in how many, and what does this mean to you and your district and your City?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I’m excited. The district I represent is excited. New York City, of course, is very excited. The Big Apple has a love affair with the New York Knicks. Basketball, of course, is the city game. And so, you know, to see this historic run that the Knicks have been on has really energized so many people, brought folks together. I said at the beginning of the series Knicks in six. Of course, we were perhaps on our way to doing it in a shorter series than that, but I expect we’ll win today and then we’ll see what happens when we go back to San Antonio, but, you know, I’m thankful. It was great to see—you may have noticed, Ari—that the Wu-Tang Clan is going to perform at halftime, which is a good vibe change from, you know, the special guest that made an unwanted appearance—

ARI MELBER: We have that. Here’s the headline. Wu-Tang Clan will perform at Knicks Finals Spurs game halftime show tonight. Well, I don’t want to put you on the spot. You’re thinking about bigger things. Which, any songs you would hope to hear from Wu for your beloved Knicks tonight?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, you know, for me, Cash Rules Everything Around Me is a Wu-Tang classic. Protect Ya Neck is a Wu-Tang classic. But I think the most appropriate song for tonight would be Triumph.

ARI MELBER: Boom. Off the second album. Look at that, a Leader who does more than one thing, because we’re all people. Fitting spirit there. We wish you and everyone good luck, Leader Jeffries, on the court. Thank you, sir.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

CHAMBLEE, GA – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), along with Georgia U.S. Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Jon Ossoff (D-GA), are calling on Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano to immediately address a rat and cockroach infestation that has plagued the office for weeks and allow employees at the IRS Atlanta campus to work remotely until conditions improve.

“No one should have to deal with unsafe and unsanitary working conditions like this,” said Congressman  Johnson, who represents the area where the IRS facility is located. “I’m pleased to join our Senators in calling for Trump Administration officials to allow these workers to work remotely until this terrible situation is remedied.”

According to reports, some employees have also fallen ill from exposure to rodent-borne diseases, forcing some staff members to resign from their positions. Constituents have also called the Congressman’s office to express concern over the conditions at the facility.

A copy of the letter can be found HERE, and the text is below:

Dear Secretary Bessent and Chief Executive Officer Bisignano:

We are writing to urge you to take all steps necessary to address the ongoing rat and cockroach infestation at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Atlanta Campus in Chamblee, Georgia. We ask that the IRS give full and fair consideration of employees’ requests to close the facility until it has been thoroughly cleaned and determined safe for occupancy and to telework during the remediation process. We also ask that the IRS provide a briefing to our offices on the IRS’ specific plan to address this occupational health and safety issue.

According to local news reporting and a statement by the National Treasury Employees Union, the IRS Atlanta Campus in Chamblee has been infested with rats and cockroaches for several weeks. IRS employees have shared photos and videos of living and dead rats, rat droppings, and rat traps throughout the office complex, as well as employees sitting on their desks to avoid the office floor. This infestation has led to employees falling ill from exposure to rodent-borne diseases and has forced some staff members to resign from their positions. Our offices have also received a number of concerning messages from constituents on this matter.

 While we are glad to hear that the IRS is beginning steps to remediate the situation, our understanding is that this work is only in its initial stages and not yet complete.

Employees at the IRS Atlanta Campus have requested that the IRS close the Chamblee office and move to a full telework posture until it eliminates the infestation. As the IRS considers their requests, we also call your attention to a June 2026 memorandum from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, which reminds federal agencies with offices in a 2026 FIFA World Cup host city – such as Atlanta – of their “authority to approve situational/unscheduled telework and other workforce flexibilities.” Given that teleworking is an appropriate response to “significant increases in traffic congestion and commuting delays” from the World Cup, we believe the IRS should also use its “sole and exclusive discretion” to enable teleworking in response to this pressing occupational health and safety hazard.

Therefore, we ask that you take all steps necessary to eradicate the rat and cockroach infestation at the IRS Atlanta Campus, including taking full and fair consideration of employees’ requests to close the facility until it has been thoroughly cleaned and determined safe for occupancy and to telework during the remediation process. Please provide our offices with an update on the steps the IRS is taking by June 23, 2026.

Sincerely, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), U.S. Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock and U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) delivered opening remarks at the House Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the Department of Homeland Security FY 2027 bill. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

 

“Thank you very much, Chairman. I have to say, I am not quite as sanguine as you are about the process, I’ll talk a little bit about that. First, I want to thank my friend, Mark Amodei, for his leadership, his spirit, his collegiality, and his willingness to work across the aisle. I want to thank Mr. Cuellar, who I know met your outreach with a hand across the aisle to work together, and so I appreciate the remarks of the Chairman as to the work you two have done. 

“And I must say, in 45 years as a Member of the Congress with focus on this committee, I cannot recall a situation in which we have met to consider an appropriation bill for the coming fiscal year [in] the same week that the majority pushes through the House a partisan reconciliation bill to fund that same department for that current fiscal year. This is not just an absence of regular order; it is complete and utter disorder and undermining of the appropriations process. I don’t know that there was a single hearing by almost all the Members of Congress on what they have done, which is exactly how we could also describe this Administration’s approach to immigration enforcement and border security. Instead of taking a common sense approach based on a bipartisan consensus, the Trump approach is to terrorize citizens and non-citizens alike, to bust into private homes without warrants, guns drawn, to send masked agents with inadequate training to confront protesters –  I saw television pictures like that, it was in Chile – and to threaten the closure of customs facilities at busy airports because of political differences with city leaders, all while pardoning criminals who agree with him politically and declare their loyalty to him. 

“Mr. Chairman, the reconciliation bill the majority just passed on the Floor provides about $65 billion to ICE and CBP. This bill would spend another $28 billion. $92.5 billion appropriated for these two agencies in one week. ‘My, my, my, we’ve got a big deficit. We’ve got to worry about the deficit and the debt. It’s trillions of dollars.’ Are you bipolar? Add to that $139.5 billion we gave ICE and CBP in the ‘Big, Ugly Bill’ last summer. Now listen to this, ladies and gentlemen, and everybody who’s watching: CBP – take a pill. (laughter) ‘Big, Ugly Bill.’ CBP and ICE are now totally based upon the appropriations of the last reconciliation bill, this reconciliation bill, the third most highly-funded armed force in the world; only the United States and China are funded at a higher level. Even Russia does not meet the $232 billion in those bills that ICE and CBP [have]. And with all due respect, Mr. Chairman, ICE was funded at 86% during the so-called shutdown and CBP at about 84% during that so-called shutdown.

“The national debt, apparently, does not have any relationship to ICE, CBP, or the Department of Defense. Excuse me, it was not just a $3.5 trillion tax bill in the ‘Big, Bad Bill.’ It was – according to dynamic scoring, which all of you think is such a good alternative – $4.7 trillion. Don’t talk to me about the debt going up. I’m concerned about that. But when you don’t – when you pass these pieces of legislation and don’t pay for them, it’s not as if it’s because it’s for law enforcement or for defense that it doesn’t affect the debt. We should be asking ourselves, ‘Why are we doing this at all? What are we getting for our money? What are we getting in terms of reforming a system that is clearly broken? What are we getting in terms of protections for our rights and freedoms under the Constitution?’ 702 is a piece of legislation that’s having a hard time getting through. Why? Because you want to follow – many of us – constitutional requirements.

“This bill does nothing to prevent the kind of tragedies we saw earlier this year in Minneapolis. The families of Alex Pretti, Renee Good, and others who were injured by military assaults deserve better than this bill. And if you create a Weaponization Fund, Mr. Pretti, Ms. Good, and Mr. Pretti deserve a very large part of that, not the people who assaulted the Capitol on January 6th. The TSA agents who are overworked and underpaid deserve better. All those working in cybersecurity and infrastructure security whose funding is being cut to the detriment of American safety deserve better. And the millions of people in our country who are deeply afraid of the next violent, anti-Semitic attack against a synagogue, school, or community center deserve better than the paltry funding for the Nonprofit Security Grant Program in this bill. $232 billion for ICE and CBP. We ought to be funding that program to protect our Jewish friends and any other persons who are being attacked at a much larger sum than we are.

“Everyone affected by this bill deserves better, so let’s do better. I want to thank the Ranking Member, Mr. Cuellar. I want to thank the Chairman of our committee. I want to thank, again, Mr. Amodei for their good work. That professionalism and respect in the process is what gives me hope that we can do better together. But this bill, especially taken in the broader context of the appropriation process and this Administration’s approach to homeland security poses serious questions this committee has to consider before moving forward. It is therefore not a bill I can support. I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on the Education and Workforce Committee Majority wasting taxpayer time and money on a pointless hearing that blatantly targets public schools, including Chicago Public Schools:

“Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers do not care about American students. If they did, they would not be slashing funding for K-12 schooling and Head Start. They certainly would not be attacking Chicago Public Schools for supporting programs to ensure Black students are performing on par with their peers. Instead, they’re holding a pointless Committee hearing to make transphobic and homophobic accusations against students, parents, and teachers. 

“Dr. Macquline King is a dedicated educator who has spent more than 30 years serving Chicago’s students. Issuing a subpoena and dragging her to Washington for this farce of a hearing does not improve public education. It does not put more books in classrooms or fund more after-school programs. It only wastes taxpayer money and harms the very students Republicans claim to be protecting.

“Our schools should be safe havens for all kids, no matter their identity. We should trust our educators to support students and back schools teaching evidence-based curriculum.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

June 10, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) introduced the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act 250 (GAOA 250).

“As millions of Americans are preparing to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s independence, Congress is coming together in a bipartisan manner to enhance access, improve visitor experiences, and create new outdoor recreation opportunities. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 will make historic investments in and modernize our national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education facilities, revitalize the economies of rural gateway communities that depend on public lands tourism, and create new recreation opportunities for American families to enjoy. I look forward to working with Ranking Member Huffman, my bipartisan colleagues in both the House and the Senate, and the Trump administration on advancing this historic legislation to President Trump’s desk.” – House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)
“As the nation turns 250, we have a chance to renew a promise behind what’s been called America’s best idea: that our greatest landscapes belong to every one of us. The Great American Outdoors Act 250 builds on a promise we made together, on a bipartisan basis, to keep our parks open and well cared for. It means a campsite ready when you pull in, clean restrooms and water at the spigot, and trails accessible enough for grandparents and kids to walk together. I thank Chairman Westerman for working across the aisle on a bill worthy of our nation’s birthday, so these places are ready for the next generation of visitors.” – House Committee on Natural Resources Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.)

Background

The GAOA250 invests $1.9 billion annually in America’s national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities over each of the next five years. Funded by private donations, onshore energy revenue, and new foreign visitor fees, GAOA250 enhances access, invests in some of our nation’s most treasured assets, creates new jobs and revitalizes rural, gateway economies.
Specifically, the legislation:

• Targets high-priority deferred maintenance projects within each federal land management agency and the BIE.
• Restores campgrounds, trails, boat ramps, hunting and fishing sites and other recreational infrastructure to unleash new outdoor recreation opportunities for sportsmen and women and improve visitor experiences.
• Supports 72,500 jobs across the country and $26.4 billion in revenue for rural gateway communities neighboring our national parks, forests, wildlife refuges and public lands.
• Promotes transparency and accountability by streamlining contracting and procurement, expediting project reviews and requiring regular reporting.
• Does not allow for new federal land acquisition.
• Creates new, sustainable funding sources through foreign visitor fees and incentivizing private donations.

Read the full text of the legislation here.
Read the full one-pager here.
Read what supporters are saying here.

Supporting organizations: America Outdoors Association, American Battlefield Trust, American Conservation Coalition Action, American Fly Fishing Trade Association, American Forest Resource Council, American Hiking Society, American Horse Council, American Sportfishing Association, American Wood Council, Americans for Prosperity, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Arizona Rock Products Association, Associated Equipment Distributors, Badlands National Park Conservancy, Big Bend Conservancy, Boone and Crockett Club, C&O Canal Trust, Chickamauga Chattanooga Moccasin Bend, Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions, Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation, ConservAmerica, Dallas Safari Club, Delta Waterfowl, Ducks Unlimited, Environment America, Forest Landowners Association, Friends of Acadia, Friends of Vicksburg National Military Park, Gateway Arch Park Foundation, Idaho Trails Association, Independent Women’s Forum, Megafire Action, Motorcycle Industry Council, National Association of Forest Service Retirees, National Audubon Society, National Deer Association, National Forest Foundation, National Forest Recreation Association, National Indian Education Association, National Marine Manufacturers Association, National Ocean Industries Association, National Park Foundation, National Park Friends Alliance, National Parks Conservation Association, National Rifle Association, National Shooting Sports Foundation, National Wild Turkey Federation, Nature Is Nonpartisan, Outdoor Alliance, Outdoor Hospitality Industry, Outdoor Industry Association, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, PeopleForBikes, Pew Charitable Trust, Pheasants Forever, Property and Environment Research Center, Quail Forever, Recreational Off-Highway Vehicle Association, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, RV Dealers Association, RV Industry Association, Safari Club International, Save the Dunes, Specialty Vehicle Institute of America, The Conservation Alliance, The Conservation Fund, The Great Outdoors Fund, The Nature Conservancy, The Student Conservation Association, Inc., The Wilderness Society, Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership, Trails Preservation Alliance, Trust for Public Land, U.S. Oil & Gas Association, USA Energy Workers, Valley Forge Park Alliance, Washington Trails Association, Western Energy Alliance, Western States Tourism Policy Council and Wild Sheep Foundation.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) joined her colleagues on the House Ways and Means Committee for a hearing on a series of digital asset taxation bills. The hearing provided Members the opportunity to examine the digital asset ecosystem and assess how tax policy will shape this emerging class of investments. 

A video and transcript of Congresswoman Miller’s questions and the provided responses can be found below. 

Congresswoman Miller began her remarks by stressing the urgent need for tax clarity in the rapidly growing digital asset market, warning that continued ambiguity could push innovation offshore, disadvantage American taxpayers, and discourage good-faith compliance among those seeking to correct past mistakes. She then questioned the Director of Policy at Coin Center, Mr. Jason Somensatto, on whether taxpayers would truly benefit from forthcoming programs given the ongoing lack of clarity and transparency in the digital asset space.

“I do want to thank Chairman Smith for calling this legislative hearing and I want to thank you all for being here to discuss the important issues.

The digital asset market has grown rapidly over the last several years and we are at a crucial moment where tax clarity is needed to ensure the United States remains the crypto capital of the world. 

Without a clear administrable tax code, digital assets will be pushed offshore and give advantages to foreign adversaries and weaken our financial stability. 

As the digital asset market continues to grow, more and more taxpayers have entered this space. 

However, due to confusion, ambiguity, and a lack of clarity, as highlighted today, some digital asset owners may have underpaid tax due.

These taxpayers may be afraid to come forward and report their mistakes, fearing that the IRS may impose harsh penalties on what was otherwise well-intentioned activity or maybe even regret those less well-intentioned activities. They’re coming forward and willing to pay what their due is to start having a clean slate. 

That is why the Digital Assets Voluntary Disclosure Program Act would direct the Treasury to provide a voluntary disclosure program for taxpayers who failed to comply with tax law related to digital assets to come back into compliance, as well as providing reduced penalties and a clean slate in the process.

Mr. Somensatto, do you think that taxpayers could benefit from a program like this given the lack of clarity regarding the taxation of digital assets in recent years?” asked Congresswoman Miller. 

“Yes, Congresswoman. I think crypto tax has evolved over the years through notices and FAQs and enforcement actions.

And so going to the gentleman’s questions earlier, it puts the individual taxpayer in a very difficult position of people who are already engaging in this technology and want to engage in it.

I think from the perspective of trying to bring the clarity that people are talking about here today, and provide that framework that will allow people to proceed forward, it necessarily needs to come with an understanding of what the last decade plus has looked like for a lot of individual taxpayers.

I think that voluntary disclosure program is really important. I guess I would even add to it, and this is not necessarily part of the bill, but the opposite is true too, for those of us who are nervous about the tax consequences of what we do, I’m sure there’s tons of us who have put everything at a zero basis because we have no idea really what we’re looking at or when we’re going to potentially. 

Creating that level playing field for everybody and also allowing the consequences, understanding the nature of the consequences from before, a period where Congress has been clear about what it wants is really important,” answered Mr. Somensatto. 

Congresswoman Carol Miller closed her remarks by expressing her eagerness to continue working in this space and reaffirming her commitment to ensuring the United States maintains its global leadership and dominance in digital assets.

“Thank you. It is clear that the status quo is burdensome and confusing for the digital asset industry and without legislation the problems will only continue. 

I am looking forward to continuing to work on these issues with my colleagues to ensure tax clarity and parity allow the United States to remain the global leader. But we all will have a lot of questions moving forward. Thank you, I yield back my time,” said Congresswoman Miller.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — This week, Representative Sharice Davids voted to pass bipartisan legislation that strengthens oversight of federal programs by preventing individuals convicted of defrauding the federal government from continuing to receive taxpayer-funded contracts, grants, loans, and other federal assistance. The bill passed the House with bipartisan support.

“Taxpayer dollars should be protected, and people who commit fraud against the federal government should be held accountable,” said Davids. “This bipartisan bill takes a commonsense approach to addressing documented cases of fraud while helping ensure federal resources are available for the families, businesses, and communities they are meant to serve.”

The Federal Program Integrity and Fraud Prevention Act would establish an automatic three-year ban on individuals convicted of certain federal fraud and theft offenses tied to federal programs, helping ensure taxpayer dollars are protected and directed to those who need them most.

The legislation was developed in consultation with inspectors general and is designed to streamline the process of preventing convicted fraudsters from receiving additional federal funding. According to the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, more than 95 percent of individuals convicted of pandemic-related federal program fraud were not suspended or debarred from doing business with the federal government.

During the pandemic, Davids worked to strengthen oversight and combat fraud in federal relief programs. After Kansans had their identities stolen to obtain fraudulent Emergency Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL), Davids urged federal oversight officials and the Small Business Administration to improve safeguards, implement anti-fraud recommendations, and better assist victims of identity theft. Her efforts followed reports that at least 35 Johnson County residents were impacted by fraudulent EIDL applications and broader findings that approximately $1.1 billion in potentially fraudulent loans had been distributed nationwide.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today led a letter with Congresswomen Valerie Foushee (NC-4) and Debbie Dingell (MI-6) to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging him to withdraw a proposal to weaken federal safeguards regulating coal ash pollution. The letter has 30 additional Congressional co-signers.

“I have been appalled at this Administration tearing down environmental protections,” said Congressman Cohen. “This proposed coal ash rule puts communities near any of the 450 coal ash sites across the country at risk – including Boxtown in Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District and Kingston, Tennessee, which in 2008 experienced the largest coal ash spill and one of the largest environmental disasters in our country’s history. We need the existing rules in place to ensure that groundwater remains safe and the soil in yards and playgrounds has not been contaminated with toxic chemicals from coal ash.”

The letter reads in part:

“We write regarding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (“EPA”) recent regulatory proposal to significantly weaken federal safeguards governing coal combustion residuals (CCR), commonly known as coal ash. We are deeply concerned about the real-world consequences this proposal would have for communities across the country – many of which have already been harmed by coal ash pollution, and urge the Agency to reconsider this approach and prioritize public health over short-term industry interests.

“The current proposal would dismantle key elements of the nation’s only enforceable federal framework for managing coal ash. These protections were put in place to address well-documented risks to drinking water, land, and air. Weakening them now risks exposing communities—particularly working class communities and others already facing disproportionate environmental burdens—to a wide range of dangerous contaminants such as arsenic, cobalt, lead, lithium, mercury, and thallium. Exposure to these metals is widely known to substantially impair cognitive function and are toxic to a wide array of physiological processes.

“Coal ash remains one of the largest sources of industrial waste in the United States, and its legacy of contamination is well established. Based on industry’s own data, we know that over 90 percent of all coal ash sites are leaking contaminants into groundwater and there is widespread industry non-compliance. Existing CCR standards created baseline requirements for monitoring, closure, and cleanup of unsafe and leaking disposal sites after years of inadequate oversight. Rolling back those standards would not only undo that progress, but also erode public confidence in the federal government’s ability to prioritize and enforce basic environmental protections.

“We are especially troubled that the proposal would allow facilities to sidestep cleanup responsibilities and delay action at sites with known contamination. Changes to requirements for unlined and leaking impoundments, combined with reduced federal oversight, would place increased risk on nearby communities and shift responsibility to state agencies that may not have sufficient resources or authority to respond effectively.

“Beyond these concerns, the proposal raises serious legal issues. It is inconsistent with the EPA’s obligations under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act to ensure the safe management of solid waste, safeguard groundwater for future generations, and protect human health and the environment. Moving away from long-standing safeguards not only puts communities at risk, but also creates legal uncertainty that could delay meaningful protections even further.

“We urge the Agency to withdraw this proposal and instead focus on nationwide enforcement of the existing coal ash standards. EPA should prioritize taking necessary enforcement action, as the federal government—and the EPA in particular—has a responsibility to enforce the existing protections to ensure clean water and a safe environment for all. As you know, EPA was established by President Nixon to protect human health and the environment. We hope you will act in full consideration of that mission in mind.

“We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to continued engagement to ensure coal ash is managed safely and responsibly.”

See the letter here.

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

(Washington, DC) — On Wednesday, June 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee shadow hearing entitled, “Tracked and Targeted: The Unconstitutional Surveillance State.”

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).