Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Mercedes Wells, a Black woman, gave birth in a truck after discharged from a hospital in active labor

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement after the House of Representatives failed to pass the Massie-Khanna Iran War Powers Resolution (WPR). The Ranking Member said he would force a vote on his own Iran War Powers Resolution introduced last year if President Trump’s war of choice continues past 60 days, the threshold where the War Powers Act compels the president to come to Congress for authorization: 

“Today’s vote should have been a no-brainer: the Constitution grants Congress, not the president, the power to declare war. Without such authorization, no president should be able to unilaterally send our men and women in uniform into harm’s way. The president’s objectives and justifications for this war continue to shift, and there is no clear endgame or estimate of what it will cost American taxpayers. No one disagrees that the Iranian regime is brutal, but Congress’s constitutional authority over matters of war and peace is also crystal clear. Our constituents expect us to do our job and take hard votes, especially when American lives are at stake.

“I plan to force a vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution I introduced last year if hostilities have not ended within 60 days. Members who voted against today’s WPR on the assumption that Trump’s war will be swift or limited will not have that excuse once we’ve entered the third month of open-ended hostilities.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman joined CNN’s The Lead with Jake Tapper to give his live reaction on President Donald Trump firing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. Her ousting comes less than 48 hours after House and Senate hearings in which she attempted to evade accountability regarding allegations of fraud, corruption, and conflicts of interest surrounding a $220 million, taxpayer-funded ad campaign. 

Congressman Neguse was a leading voice in what would apparently become the final tipping point for Noem. During Wednesday’s hearing, he pressed her on the specifics of a $143 million contract awarded to a company incorporated just a week before receiving federal funding and tied to longtime Republican operatives in Noem’s inner circle.

Public reporting suggests that Noem’s testimony regarding the contract ultimately led to her termination. 

View Neguse’s interview on CNN with Jake Tapper HERE. 

JAKE TAPPER: Let’s bring in the lawmaker you heard questioning Noem there, Democrat Joe Neguse of Colorado. Thanks so much for being here, appreciate it. So pretty consequential questioning and answering there. The Secretary told you it had been a “competitive bid process” for the contractors who produced the ad campaign. But after you did some digging, you found out that might not be the case. What else did you find? 

REP. NEGUSE: Good to be with you, Jake. That was a lie. I mean, clearly, the Secretary stated a number of mistruths both before the Senate Judiciary Committee as well as the House Judiciary Committee with respect to the contracting. As you noted, they skipped the “competitive bidding process” so that they could ultimately ensure that the contractors that were awarded these contracts would get those contracts. And one of them happened to be connected to a political operative — a Republican political operative. The company was registered just days before the contract solicitation actually went out. So, in my view, some real questions have been raised with respect to potential fraud, corruption, and conflict of interest. Of course, as you know, one of the subcontractors of that contractor was affiliated with Secretary Noem during her time as Governor and ultimately with her former spokesperson.  

TAPPER: Was married to her spokesperson, right?

NEGUSE: That’s correct. 

TAPPER: Did she ever offer any clarification after the hearing or anything like that? 

NEGUSE: No. No. And if anything, we’ve now seen reports that indicate that perhaps she was directly involved in approving those contracts, notwithstanding the testimony that she offered yesterday, both in the House yesterday and in the Senate the day before. I would also just say, Jake, because I watched the exchange that you played with Senator Kennedy and Secretary Noem, unfortunately, one of the hard realities of the political moment that we find ourselves in is that oversight and these hearings are often seen through a partisan lens. One hopes that there are moments that prove to be the exception to the rule. And I think this happened to be one. 

TAPPER: Kudos to Senators Kennedy and Tillis as well, who did their oversight job. And I hope when the Democrats are back in the White House, Democratic members of Congress do the same thing for that. You called this fraud. Do you think her firing and being given another job in the administration is appropriate? 

NEGUSE: Well, I certainly think her being terminated is appropriate, and it’s an important step in our fight for accountability. But it is a first step. Accountability ultimately means that if there were any laws violated — procurement laws, conflict of interest laws — then ultimately evidence is uncovered and that prosecutions commence if appropriate. And so, this is the beginning, not the end, with respect to accountability. With respect to the new position that the President apparently conjured up, it sounds like something he saw in a movie. But anyway, we’re not quite sure what this new position is. 

TAPPER: We’re running out of time but last question for you. One of the things Senator Tillis said to me, and I forget if this was on air or off air, but the idea that Secretary Noem prided herself on approving all these small dollar expenditures for FEMA, I think anything either over $100,000 or $10,000, but, knew nothing about the basic questions you asked her about this multi-hundred million dollar account was really shocking. 

NEGUSE: It’s absurd. It’s nonsensical. I mean, of course, she broke FEMA single-handedly, in part by virtue of the decision that you just identified, but then wants the American people to believe that she’s not involved in this $140 million contract of taxpayer money so that she can appear in ads at Mount Rushmore and the like. Clearly, it embarrassed the President and the Trump administration. And for the Trump administration to be embarrassed, given the corruption that they are engaged in, it perhaps tells you the whole story. 

TAPPER: Congressman Joe Neguse, Democrat of Colorado, thanks for being here. Really appreciate it. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Lauren Underwood released the following statement on her NO vote on Republicans’ nonbinding resolution to “Reaffirm Iran as the largest state sponsor of terrorism”:

“The Trump Administration has failed to provide credible evidence that an Iran-backed attack on America was imminent. This nonbinding resolution was designed to support Donald Trump’s unconstitutional and dangerous war.” said Rep. Underwood. “Iran’s longtime support of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas must be condemned, but I will not support the misleading statements in this resolution that invoke language used in prior Authorizations of Military Force to justify putting American families and our servicemembers in harm’s way. Our communities have made it very clear: they want affordable health care and groceries, not to be plunged into another endless and dangerous war in the Middle East.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) voted to support H.Con.Res. 38 to uphold Article I war powers granted to Congress by the U.S. Constitution. This was in response to President Trump’s ongoing U.S. military strikes against Iran. The resolution failed by a vote of 212-219. After the vote, Congressman Bishop issued the following statement:

“War is one of the most solemn responsibilities of Congress, and the U.S. Constitution says that only Congress can declare war. Iran – like Russia, China, and North Korea – is one of the most dangerous and destructive adversaries of peace and freedom in the world. However, without proof of imminent threat to the United States, and with explanations that shift daily, President Trump has dragged our country into a war ‘of choice’ with no comprehensive strategy and no objective end game.

“Americans overwhelmingly oppose the war with Iran which could become yet another forever war, paid for with taxpayer dollars and brave American lives. Six U.S. servicemembers are dead and over a dozen seriously injured with more casualties expected to come. We are eternally grateful for their service and sacrifice and will continue to pray for them and their families.

“But this war has already increased the cost of oil and gas at the pump, taking big bites out of family budgets. Instead of putting hardworking Americans first and focusing on lowering the high cost of groceries, healthcare, housing, and utilities, the President has yet again broken campaign promises by going to war, raising costs, and violating the U.S. Constitution.

“Upon taking office, I swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States. And my vote today upholds that oath.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02) was unable to support a full-year, Fiscal Year 2026 funding bill for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which includes Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). Today’s bill offered no changes to address concerns that a majority of Americans have expressed regarding ICE’s aggressive actions which have hurt, and even killed, American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families.

“The Homeland Security funding bill should keep our communities safe from both foreign adversaries and violent masked agents roaming our streets. We cannot let Congressional Republicans use a costly, aimless, and unauthorized war against Iran as an excuse to scare Americans’ off from demanding ICE and CBP reform. We can protect our boarders without sacrificing our civil rights,” said Congressman Bishop. “Furthermore, this funding bill continues to weaken counterterrorism and cybersecurity. Last year the President drove out nearly 1,000 seasoned Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency employees and following U.S. military strikes on Iran, we are at greater risk for cyberattacks.”

Congressional Democrats have already introduced a bill that would fund all other elements of DHS, except ICE and CBP, until guardrails are put in place to address Americans’ concerns. Congressman Bishop remains committed to these commonsense measures which are:

• Require agents to get a warrant from a judge before kicking in someone’s door
• No masks
• Clear identifying information on uniforms
• Prohibit operations at sensitive locations like schools, houses of worship and polling places
• End racial profiling
• Establish use of force policy in law
• Allow independent investigations into misconduct
• Mandate use of body-worn cameras

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. released the following statement on the retirement of his longtime friend and public servant, State Senator Ed Harbison:

“Ed Harbison has been a steadfast champion for the people of the Fifteenth Senatorial District for over three decades, rising to the position of Dean of the Senate. As my successor in the Georgia State Senate, he carried forward a commitment to rural communities, public education, economic opportunity, and public service that has made a real difference in the lives of our neighbors.

“Ed is the kind of leader who shows up. He has fought for better schools, stronger infrastructure, and fairer access to health care, always guided by a steady hand, a practical mind, and a deep, abiding belief in the dignity of every constituent. As a veteran, he fought for their issues.

“Beyond his legislative record, Ed has been a beloved friend and mentor. I have relied on his counsel and celebrated his victories; I have learned from his patience and admired his tenacity. His service has been rooted in humility and an earnest desire to lift up others, and that spirit has strengthened our community and our state.

“On behalf of the people of Georgia’s Second District and my colleagues in public service, I thank Senator Harbison for his decades of leadership and sacrifice. We wish him and his family health, joy, and many peaceful years ahead. His work will endure in the lives he helped change, and his example will continue to inspire those who follow in his footsteps.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Riley M. Moore (R-WV) voted against a Democrat-led War Powers Resolution opposing Operation Epic Fury, emphasizing that President Trump’s administration has acted within the law and followed the requirements laid out by the War Powers Act.

Congressman Riley M. Moore released the following statement:

“Today, I voted against the Democrats’ Wars Power Resolution opposing Operation Epic Fury. This was a simple decision. It is clear that the Trump Administration is following the law and meeting all of its necessary obligations under the War Powers Act.

The administration consulted with Congressional leadership — including the Gang of 8 — before striking Iran. President Trump’s team also submitted all legally required reports to Congress within 48 hours of commencing Operation Epic Fury, detailing the circumstances, legal basis, and scope of these actions to counter threats to U.S. forces and interests.

We remain firmly within the prescribed time limit that the Commander in Chief has to act in defense of America’s national interests before seeking authorization from Congress. 

Like many Americans, I remain wary of drawn-out wars in the Middle East. But a vote for this ill-advised resolution would prematurely and needlessly restrict our Commander in Chief’s ability to defend our nation and protect America’s national interests.

It is my great hope that the war will be brought to a swift conclusion. I will continue to pray for the safety and success of our armed forces and for the wisdom of our leaders.”

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

(Washington, D.C.) — On Thursday, March 5, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor, exposing Trump’s corruption and signaling a countdown to impeachment. 

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry, and Co-Chair of the Congressional Specialty Crops Caucus, announced major victories for the Central Valley in the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. The legislation passed out of committee last night and now advances to the House floor for consideration. The comprehensive Farm Bill strengthens America’s food security, supports farmers and ranchers, protects nutrition programs, and invests in rural communities and agricultural research — all critical to the San Joaquin Valley, one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. 
“While this Farm Bill delivers some critical support for producers, we cannot ignore the failures that brought us here: a misguided tariff strategy, cuts to hunger programs, and an ill-advised USDA reorganization. Farmers in the Central Valley are facing unprecedented hardships — rising costs, market uncertainty, and supply chain pressures — while families across our district struggle with higher grocery bills and need for nutrition assistance,”said Congressman Costa.“I’m proud to have secured provisions that provide our farmers, ranchers, and dairymen and women with the resources they need to produce food and help families access the food they rely on, but there is still work to be done to finalize a bipartisan farm bill that ensures our food system works for everyone. I’m disappointed that Republicans didn’t include any amendments to undo the damage from the ‘Big Ugly Bill’ they passed last year, but I will continue fighting to make sure American families can put food on their dinner tables.”
“The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance praises Rep. Jim Costa for his support of HR 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, which closely aligns with the Alliance’s priorities. We thank Congressman Costa for his years of leadership on behalf of specialty crop producers in California and across the United States,” said Jonathan Cordone, Executive Director of Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance. 
“On behalf of the Almond Alliance, I want to thank Congressman Costa for his vote to move the Farm Bill forward, a choice that supports the economic backbone of California’s Central Valley. By helping advance a bill that bolsters export opportunities, strengthens disaster and risk management tools for permanent crops, and invests in research, conservation, and on farm innovation, Congressman Costa is standing up for the farmworkers, growers, processors, and haulers whose livelihoods depend on a strong, competitive almond industry,” said Alexi Rodriguez, President & CEO, Almond Alliance.
“The House Farm Bill would expand SNAP dairy incentives to include additional nutritious dairy products and provide certainty to core federal dairy programs, ensuring low-income families have greater access to affordable, wholesome dairy foods while giving farmers and processors the certainty they need to continue delivering for America. IDFA is grateful to Representative Costa for working to pass this Farm Bill,” said Michael Dykes, D.V.M., President and CEO of International Dairy Foods Association. 
“AmericanHort commends and thanks Congressman Costa for voting for the Farm Bill and being a champion of specialty crops and horticulture. We appreciate his bipartisan leadership serving as a Senior Specialty Crop Caucus co-chair and look forward to Rep. Costa’s leadership to move this bill through the House,” said Matt Mika, VP, Advocacy and Government Affairs.
“The bipartisan Farm Bill passed out of the House Ag Committee this week wouldstrengthen U.S. dairy exporters’ hand when competing in international markets. We thank Rep. Costa for his hard work to ensure the bill delivers real results for our dairy producers and processors, including through his leadership to include protections for common cheese names like ‘parmesan.’ It is important that Congress builds on the momentum and moves the Farm Bill into law,” said Krysta Harden, President and CEO of the U.S. Dairy Export Council. 
“Farmers and ranchers have been without certainty of a new farm bill since it first expired in 2023, and have been grappling with low commodity prices, rising supply costs, inflation and uncertain international trade dynamics. California Farm Bureau thanks Rep. Jim Costa for his support of the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026. Passing an updated farm bill is critical to managing risk on the farm, keeping rural communities thriving and feeding our nation and the world,” said Shannon Douglass, President of California Farm Bureau.  
“We thank Rep. Costa for his support of HR 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,” said Western Growers President and CEO Dave Puglia. “The Farm Bill provides critical support to specialty crop growers in California and will help our rural communities to thrive.” 
“I want to thank Chairman Thompson, Chicken Caucus Co-Chair Costa, and the Agriculture Committee members on both sides of the aisle who voted to advance the ‘Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026,’ which is vital to American agriculture. Chicken producers are especially grateful for the provisions that seek to increase funding for export promotion programs and those that pertain to negotiating animal disease regionalization agreements with our trading partners, which is critical in the wake of the ongoing avian influenza outbreak in the U.S.,” said David Elrod, Vice President of the National Chicken Council. “I also want to thank the committee members for their debate and bipartisan support for including hot rotisserie chicken in the SNAP program. Although the provision was ultimately not included in the bill, we appreciate the committee’s commitment to address this commonsense issue in the future and we stand ready to work with them to advance it.” 
“Congressman Jim Costa has long been a champion for California agriculture and the specialty crop industry. We appreciate his leadership in working to restore regular order to the Farm Bill process and ensure that the voices of specialty crop growers are fully represented. His continued advocacy and attention to the needs of California table grape growers, and the broader specialty crop community, are critical to maintaining the competitiveness of American agriculture and supporting the farm families who help feed the nation and the world,” said Ian LeMay, President, California Table Grape Commission. 
“Farmers for Free Trade thanks Representative Costa, a senior Co-Chair for the House Ag Trade Caucus for his strong support for our export promotion programs including MAP and FMD. Maintaining these in the House Farm Bill is a big win for U.S. ag. We need to boost exports to rebuild the farm economy,” said Bob Hemesath, President of Farmers for Free Trade. 
“Support for a strong, bipartisan farm bill is essential to ensuring dairy producers can weather challenging times. We’re encouraged by provisions that empower states to prioritize NRCS projects aimed at reducing methane emissions, helping dairy producers continue their leadership in environmental stewardship. Sustained funding to promote U.S. dairy products abroad is equally vital, as it strengthens our global presence while showcasing the impressive sustainability gains made across the U.S. dairy industry. We thank Rep. Costa for his thoughtful leadership to ensure that this important piece of legislation can move forward for dairy farmers and their cooperatives,” said Gregg Doud, President & CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. 
Costa Secures Top Legislative Priorities in 2026 Farm Bill 
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 includes Congressman Costa’s top priority legislation and key Democratic-led bills across conservation, trade, nutrition, research, forestry, and energy. 
Conservation – COWS Act (H.R. 5875) 
Costa secured inclusion of his Conserving Our Waste Sustainably (COWS) Act, which modernizes the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to:

Allow for manure management conservation practices modeled after California’s successful Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP);
Create a new category of practices that increase carbon sequestration or reduce greenhouse gases;
Provide an automatic 90 percent cost-share for precision agriculture technology adoption.  

Forestry – Headwaters Protection Act (H.R. 605)
Costa’s Headwaters Protection Act was also included, strengthening watershed partnerships between agricultural producers, local communities, and the U.S. Forest Service to protect critical water sources. 
Trade & Exports 
As Democratic lead on several trade bills, Costa secured provisions to help California specialty crop growers — who produce half of the nation’s fruits, nuts, and vegetables — remain competitive globally. 

Dairy & Livestock 
The bill permanently reauthorizes key dairy safety net programs, extends dairy promotion and indemnity programs through 2031, improves mandatory dairy cost reporting, and includes Costa’s Dairy Nutrition Incentives Program to increase dairy consumption under SNAP. 
Nutrition & Food Security The legislation avoids furthering the damage made to nutrition programs by H.R. 1. It strengthens local food purchasing programs connecting farmers to communities, supports rural seniors through home-delivery pilots, and includes Buy America provisions prioritizing domestic food in schools.  
California’s 21st Congressional District has one of the highest SNAP participation rates in the state, underscoring the importance of protecting food assistance while supporting producers.  
Rural Development & Research 
Costa secured wins to: 

Expand rural broadband through the ReConnect Rural Broadband Program;
Support rural water and wastewater systems;
Fund Hispanic-Serving Institution education grants;
Reauthorize the Specialty Crop Research Initiative, including mechanization and automation research;
Strengthen wildfire prevention, forest health, and biochar research;
Support meat processing expansion and animal disease prevention. 

The bill also strengthens specialty crop insurance, adds sustainable aviation fuel to the advanced biofuel definition, increases Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) loan guarantees, and advances bio-based procurement policies. 
The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 now moves to the House floor for further consideration. Rep. Costa will continue to work to make further improvements to the Farm Bill.