Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

March 12, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced today the American Families First Assistance Act or AFFA Act. This bill would ensure American families — not Biden-era migrants — are prioritized in the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.
“American taxpayer dollars should go to struggling American families, not migrants who entered the country under the Biden administration’s failed border policies,” said Rep. Steube. “The American Families First Assistance Act ensures TANF benefits are reserved for those the program was intended to serve.”
Background: The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program provides federal block grants to states to assist low-income families with children.
Under current law, several categories of non-citizens are classified as “qualified aliens” and may be eligible for TANF benefits, including individuals paroled into the United States.
The American Families First Assistance Act amends the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996 to narrow that eligibility and prevent migrants paroled into the United States from receiving TANF benefits while preserving eligibility for lawful permanent residents and Cuban refugees.
Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08) sent a letter to Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the agency’s decision to rescind the Endangerment Finding, warning that the move would weaken protections against harmful pollution and expose Illinois families to greater health risks and economic costs.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi argued that overturning the finding would undermine long-standing safeguards designed to protect Americans from dangerous pollution and climate impacts.

“Repealing this determination abandons EPA’s responsibility to protect public health and would put Illinois families at greater risk from harmful pollution and escalating climate impacts,” Krishnamoorthi wrote.

Krishnamoorthi warned that Illinois communities are already experiencing the consequences of climate change through more frequent extreme heat, severe storms, and costly natural disasters.

“Illinois families are already experiencing the consequences of climate change,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “Rolling back the Endangerment Finding would weaken critical guardrails and further compound these health risks, particularly for children, seniors, and working families.”

The letter also highlights the growing economic burden climate change is placing on Illinois residents and businesses. Rising temperatures and extreme weather are already driving higher electricity costs, lost wages for outdoor workers, and costly flood damage across the state.

“The economic consequences of unmitigated climate change are already placing growing burdens on Illinois families and businesses,” Krishnamoorthi wrote.

Krishnamoorthi concluded by urging the EPA to reverse course and reaffirm its responsibility to protect Americans’ health and economic security.

“Rescinding the Endangerment Finding abdicates that responsibility and disregards decades of settled science and established law,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. “I urge you to reverse this decision and reaffirm the agency’s commitment to safeguarding the health, safety, and economic security of Illinois families and all Americans.”

The full letter to Administrator Zeldin is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

U.S. Representative Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51) and U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) today led Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Reps. Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) and Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) in introducing the Justice for Hind Rajab Act, legislation that requires the U.S. government to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for the killing of five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, her family, and paramedics sent to rescue her. The legislation would require the Trump Administration to provide comprehensive answers on the death of Hind and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza.

Hind’s tragic story was the inspiration for a new docudrama film, titled “The Voice of Hind Rajab.” The film follows Red Crescent volunteers as they attempt to rescue Hind and her family and was nominated for an Academy Award in the Best International Feature Film category. The Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.

“Five-year-old Hind should still be alive today. She was a beautiful and brave little girl with her whole life ahead of her. I was horrified by reports of the Israeli Defense Forces firing over 300 bullets at her and her family while they were simply trying to escape Gaza. No child should have to face that kind of terror, and no family should have to carry that kind of loss. That’s why I’m incredibly proud to partner with Senator Welch to deliver justice and accountability for Hind Rajab’s murder and all the civilian harm in Gaza. Hind’s story is a devastating reminder of the daily reality faced by Palestinians – and we won’t rest until they have safety, security, and peace,” said Rep. Jacobs.

“Hind Rajab, her family, and the paramedics who tried to save them, should be alive today. This was not a ‘fog of war’ situation. There wasn’t any reason for the IDF to believe Hind and her family–who were trying to escape the fighting in Gaza–posed a threat,” said Senator Welch. “We need answers and accountability for the deaths of Hind, her family, and the paramedics who came to their rescue.”

“Hind Rajab deserves justice, as do the thousands of Palestinian children killed by Israeli forces during the war in Gaza,” said Rep. Castro. “Hind’s heartbreaking cries for help and the terror she felt during her last moments have been heard across the world. No family or child should experience this horrifying brutality and loss. It is unacceptable that no Israeli soldiers have been held accountable for her deaths, or for the deaths of so many thousands of other Palestinian children during this war. I stand with my colleagues and demand an investigation into her murder and justice for her death.”

“Today we honor the life of Hind Rajab, one of the tens of thousands of Palestinian children indiscriminately killed by the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza,” said Rep. Jayapal. “This legislation importantly demands an investigation into her killing so we can finally begin to bring about accountability for the countless war crimes the U.S. has been complicit in inside Gaza.”

On January 29, 2024, five-year-old Palestinian child Hind Rajab, along with six members of her extended family, were killed by machine gun fire from an Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) tank while she and her family fleeing fighting and famine in Gaza City. Investigations found a total of 355 bullet holes in Hind’s car. Two paramedics attempting to rescue Hind in an ambulance—along an IDF-approved route—were also killed by Israeli tank fire as they approached the car.

The incident, which was extensively documented and has drawn international attention, has become emblematic of the devastating toll of the Gaza war on civilians, particularly children. Hind is just one of more than at least 20,000 children killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023—the highest rate of children to combatants killed in any contemporary conflict. Despite a tenuous ceasefire, Gaza’s civilians and children have continued to be killed in military operations and airstrikes.

The Justice for Hind Rajab Act would:

• Present Congressional findings on the attack that killed Hind Rajab and broader patterns of civilian harm in Gaza to reassert the United States’ commitment to the Geneva Conventions and the prosecution of war crimes;
• Require a report from the State Department on all U.S. and Israeli efforts to investigate and hold accountable individuals linked to the attacks, and to comply with U.S. prohibitions on assistance to foreign security units credibly implicated in gross violations of human rights; and
• Require certifications by the Secretary of State and Attorney General regarding compliance with U.S. war crimes laws, including a commitment to investigate and, where appropriate, prosecute individuals responsible for the attack on Hind, her family, and the paramedics who responded to the scene.

Learn more about the Justice for Hind Rajab Act.

Read and download the full text of the bill.

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security

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

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) introduced a bipartisan bill to support Food is Medicine programs, which improve health outcomes through nutrition while lowering healthcare costs.

“Many of my constituents in urban, suburban, and rural areas live closer to a fast-food restaurant than a grocery store. They don’t have access to nutritious food that best fuel our bodies and minds,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m confronting these challenges and expanding access to nutrition through Food is Medicine programs. The best medicine is preventative medicine – and that includes food.”

“Prioritizing proper nutrition and expanding access to healthy foods is critical to addressing our nation’s obesity epidemic and growing prevalence of chronic illness. As a nurse practitioner, I understand the vital role that Food is Medicine programs play in improving health outcomes,” said Rep. Kiggans. “The FOOD for Health Act confronts this issue head-on by increasing access to these programs while enhancing on-site food pantries and promoting education on proper nutrition. I’m proud to join Rep. Kelly on these efforts to strengthen preventative care, improve public health, and ensure more Americans have access to the nutritious foods they need to live healthier lives.”

The FOOD for Health Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide grants to Food is Medicine programs that prioritize local foods and regional diversity. The bill would authorize $20 million through fiscal year 2031 and require an initial report to Congress analyzing the efficiency and impact on patient outcomes and system costs.

The FOOD for Health Act is endorsed by Dion’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate, Greater Chicago Food Depository, Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Think Regeneration, and Feeding America.

“For too long, our healthcare system has treated diet-related disease as inevitable instead of preventable. Food is not just sustenance; it is one of the most powerful tools we have to improve health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and restore dignity to families navigating chronic illness,” said Dion Dawson, Chief Dream and CEO of Dion’s Chicago Dream and Cosmic Crate. “Congresswoman Robin Kelly’s FOOD for Health Act recognizes what communities and practitioners across the country already know: when fresh, nutritious food is integrated into care, lives change. Through our work delivering millions of pounds of fresh produce directly to households, we’ve seen firsthand that access to healthy food can stabilize health, strengthen families, and transform entire communities. This legislation is an important step toward making Food is Medicine a permanent and scalable part of our healthcare system.”

“For the neighbors we serve in Chicago and suburban Cook County, food is not purely sustenance; food is medicine,” said Kate Maehr, Executive Director and CEO of the Greater Chicago Food Depository. “Many of those we serve are experiencing the stress of food insecurity at the same time as having to manage a chronic condition such as diabetes, hypertension, or obesity. We know that having reliable and consistent access to healthy food improves health outcomes. We applaud Congresswoman Robin Kelly for her leadership on the FOOD for Health Act, which will support Food is Medicine programs and ensure food banks and other community-based partners have an opportunity to participate.”

“The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics applauds the FOOD for Health Act for advancing the integration of nutrition into health care and expanding access to nutritious food alongside qualified nutrition expertise,” said Deanne Brandstetter, President of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. “Registered dietitian nutritionists experience every day the impact food and nutrition have in preventing and managing a wide range of chronic and acute conditions as they deliver evidence-based nutrition care and medical nutrition therapy within interprofessional care teams. This legislation strengthens partnerships between health care providers and community organizations, improving patient outcomes and helping reduce long-term health care costs.”

“We can reverse chronic disease in this country and scale regenerative farming at the same time,” said Ryan Slabaugh at Think Regeneration. “Our food-is-medicine pilot project in 2025-2026 in Pembroke Township gave us proof: connecting community members with Type II diabetes to local food hubs and organic farms changed lives for the better for everyone involved—including the farmers. Congressional support to expand these pilot programs are exactly what we need.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris M.D. (MD-01) issued a statement of support for Maryland Blue Catfish processors who are raising concerns about the proposed Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act, introduced by Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth and co-led by Congressman Robert Wittman.

A coalition of small, family-owned seafood processors recently sent a letter warning the legislation could undermine years of work to build a commercial market for wild-caught blue catfish. The coalition represents every processor of wild-caught blue catfish in the state of Maryland. These businesses are among the only facilities in Maryland processing blue catfish for grocery stores, restaurants, and other seafood markets. According to the coalition’s letter, the bill could divert blue catfish away from seafood markets and toward uses like pet food and other byproducts.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Seafood processors on the Eastern Shore have spent years developing commercial markets for wild-caught blue catfish. Their work helps remove an invasive species from the Chesapeake Bay while supporting watermen, seafood businesses, and local jobs. I was proud to champion an effort that created a new grant program through USDA to support their navigation of a cumbersome federal regulatory process by expanding specialized processing facilities for this wild-caught catfish – the first grant awards just being announced in recent weeks.

Now is not the time to undercut the great work of these small businesses and existing investments made by the taxpayers by subsidizing the purchase of product suitable for human consumption for the sole benefit of pet-food companies – especially when these processors are already selling fish byproducts unsuitable for human consumption for the purposes of conversion into pet food. While the MAWS Act may be a well-intentioned proposal to combat the blue-catfish crisis, I cannot support it. I stand with the small business owners raising these concerns and will continue fighting to protect the market they’ve worked so hard to create.”

Text of the coalition’s letter is available here.

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on Shooting at Old Dominion University

NEWPORT NEWS, VA – Congressman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement:

“I was horrified to learn of the violent tragedy that occurred at Old Dominion University this morning. I am thankful for the first responders who were able to neutralize the shooter before they could perpetrate any further violence.

“While we are still gathering the facts of the situation, my thoughts are with the victims and their families. Everyone should feel safe in their communities and students should feel safe on campus.  We must do everything we can to prevent these all-too-common tragedies of gun violence.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) led a letter to the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) urging the Administration to incorporate silicon carbide (SiC) into the implementation of America’s AI Action Plan. The letter was also signed by Representatives Pat Harrigan, David Rouzer, Chuck Edwards, and Tim Moore.

“America’s leadership in global AI development ultimately hinges on whether our nation can support the compute-intensive systems that drive innovation across science, medicine, national security, and the broader economy,” wrote Rep. Hudson in the letter. “Silicon carbide is essential to that foundation.”

The Members warned frontier AI systems are driving massive increases in electricity demand. Training and deploying advanced models requires enormous computing power, and next-generation AI data centers are rapidly moving toward 800-volt and higher power architectures that traditional silicon technologies struggle to support efficiently.

SIC Implementation would allow the United States to build more computing capacity per megawatt while reducing power losses across the AI infrastructure chain, from grid transmission to rack-level conversion inside data centers.

The Members also noted the global silicon carbide market, currently valued at roughly $3.4 billion, is projected to grow at a 15 percent annual rate through 2030, and urged OSTP to recognize SiC as a critical technology for strengthening America’s AI infrastructure and maintaining U.S. leadership in the global AI race.

“As the United States races to build the AI infrastructure of the future, energy efficiency will be just as critical as computing power. Silicon carbide is a foundational technology that can help meet the enormous power demands of next-generation AI data centers while improving efficiency and sustainability,” said Robert Feurle, CEO of Wolfspeed . “Wolfspeed strongly supports Representative Hudson’s effort to ensure advanced materials like silicon carbide are integrated into America’s national AI strategy. Through innovations such as our 300mm silicon carbide platform, which could help expand the solution space for next-generation AI packaging architectures, we are enabling the systems that will allow AI infrastructure to scale more efficiently. We are grateful for Representative Hudson’s leadership in this space and look forward to continuing to work towards ensuring American leadership in SiC production.”

Congressman Tim Moore:“It’s clear that with the rise in AI and its integration into several aspects of our lives, from everyday uses to national defense, we must have an energy grid that supports it. Currently, this technology stands to outpace our grid capacity, putting us in a position to fall behind our adversaries. If America is going to lead in AI, we must expand the infrastructure and technology needed to power it, without sticking American families with higher energy costs.”

Read the full letter HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Today, U.S. Representatives Adrian Smith (R-NE), Danny K. Davis (D-IL), and Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) introduced bipartisan legislation to empower small businesses to offer dependent care flexible spending accounts (DCFSAs) to their employees.

The Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act would create a tax credit for small businesses to assist with the startup and administrative costs of establishing DCFSAs, making it easier for them to provide child care benefits to working families. 
 
“Small businesses are the backbone of communities across the nation, and their ability to thrive depends on attracting and retaining talented employees. Yet the startup and administrative costs make providing competitive benefits challenging. Our bipartisan bill will empower small businesses to offer DCFSAs, easing the financial burden of child care for working families while helping these businesses remain competitive in today’s hiring landscape. I am proud to lead this effort and look forward to working with my colleagues to turn this commonsense legislation into law,”  said Smith. 

“The tax code is an important part of a comprehensive federal effort to help families struggling with the high cost of child care. I am happy to work with my colleagues to assist the millions of employees who work for small businesses in accessing the dependent care flexible spending accounts by offsetting the program start-up costs for these small businesses.  This change will work together with essential child care grants and child care tax credits to give a tax break to families to help them thrive,”  said Davis.

“A key Republican priority during the 119th Congress has been serving working families and empowering small businesses. I am proud to co-lead this bill with Rep. Smith (NE) and Rep. Davis (IL). When we can get government out of the way and encourage small businesses to support their employees, we help ensure that hardworking Americans can keep their jobs while raising a family,”  said Moran. “As a father of four and a former small business owner, I understand the value of making it easier for small businesses to remain competitive when hiring by offering child-care benefits. This legislation helps do exactly that by reducing the startup costs for employers who want to provide dependent care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) to their employees. That’s good for working families, and it helps small businesses attract and retain the talented workers they need to grow.”

BACKGROUND:
DCFSAs allow employees to set aside pre-tax income to pay for eligible child care and dependent expenses, including daycare and after-school care. Due to startup and administrative costs, only 29 percent of employees at businesses with fewer than 100 employees have access to a DCFSA, compared with 63 percent of employees at larger businesses. 

The Small Business Dependent Care FSA Opportunity Act would incentivize small businesses to offer DCFSAs to their employees by: 

• Creating a tax credit for small businesses with 100 or fewer employees earning at least $5,000 annually to establish and administer DCFSAs.
   
• Covering the startup and administrative costs, as well as employee education about the benefit.
   
• Providing a credit of up to $250 per non-highly compensated employee.
   
• Setting a minimum credit of $500 and a maximum credit of $5,000 per year.
   
• Allowing employers to claim the credit for the first three years they offer a DCFSA plan. 

Click here to view the text of the bill. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  

March 9, 2026

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán’s Statement on the Release of the Two Teen Mariachi Musicians from ICE Detention During Congressional Oversight Visit

DILLEY, TEXAS – Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44) released the following statement on the release of the Gámez-Cuéllar family during a Congressional oversight visit at the Dilley Detention Center today:

“Relieved that we were able to bring the Gámez-Cuéllar family back home safely from the Dilley Detention Facility. They should never have been detained in the first place. Antonio and Caleb, two of the Gámez-Cuéllar children, are wonderful high school mariachi musicians who recently performed at the U.S. Capitol. Their family did everything by the book. They had passed their credible fear interview and had an outstanding asylum case — they never missed a court date or check-in.

ICE released the family to us during our Members’ visit to the facility to conduct congressional oversight. I’m glad the family is out and on their way home.

Let us NOT forget there are many more like them.”

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