Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Chairman of the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee and Chair of the Values Action Team (VAT), joined House Appropriations Vice Chair and National Security Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) and Congressman Riley Moore (R-WV) in leading a joint briefing with the House Foreign Affairs Committee to examine the worsening violence and targeted persecution of Christians and other religious minorities in Nigeria.

Congressman Aderholt said, “The rising violence and targeted persecution of Christians in Nigeria is a crisis that can’t be ignored. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked to protect the most vulnerable, including those whose lives and liberties are threatened simply because of their faith. We must stand firmly with Nigeria’s Christian communities and all persecuted believers worldwide, and I commend our collaborative efforts to provide the President with the information needed to confront this growing tragedy.”

This roundtable follows President Donald J. Trump’s October 31 directive to the House Appropriations Committee to investigate the slaughter of Christians in Nigeria and report findings to the White House.

Joint Briefing Includes Congressional and Expert Participants

Participants in the briefing included:

• Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman
• Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL), Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies Subcommittee Chairman and Values Action Team (VAT) Chair
• Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV), House Appropriations Legislative Branch Subcommittee Vice Chair and leading religious liberty advocate
• Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL), Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Committee
• Rep. Chris Smith (R-NJ), Chairman, House Foreign Affairs Africa Subcommittee
• Hon. Vicky Hartzler, Chair, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF)
• Sean Nelson, Senior Counsel for Global Religious Freedom, Alliance Defending Freedom International
• Dr. Ebenezer Obadare, Council on Foreign Relations

Focus on the Scale and Nature of Violence

Members and witnesses emphasized that religiously motivated attacks—including kidnappings, mass killings, and displacement—have intensified across Nigeria, with Christian communities bearing the brunt of the violence in many regions. Expert testimony underscored the role of extremist terror groups such as Boko Haram, Islamic State West Africa Province, and radicalized militant factions that seek to drive believers from their homes and suppress religious freedom.

Expert Testimony Highlights Urgent Need for Action

Witnesses offered on-the-ground perspectives and policy recommendations for Congress and the Administration, including:

• Strengthening U.S. diplomatic pressure on Nigerian authorities to protect vulnerable communities
• Leveraging U.S. security assistance for accountability, police reform, and early-warning systems
• Supporting efforts to dismantle terrorist networks and prevent further religious cleansing

Several witnesses cited recent mass abductions and assaults on churches and religious schools to illustrate the immediate threat facing families of faith in Nigeria today.

Continued Oversight and Next Steps

Congressman Aderholt reaffirmed his commitment to protecting religious liberty worldwide and supporting persecuted believers through U.S. foreign policy and appropriations work. The House Appropriations Committee will continue investigating the violence in Nigeria pursuant to President Trump’s directive and is preparing a comprehensive report to provide the Administration with actionable recommendations.

“As we move forward,” Aderholt added, “Congress must ensure America remains a beacon for religious freedom and a defender of those who are targeted simply for worshipping God.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Today, Rep. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, introduced the Adoption Deserves Oversight, Protection, and Transparency (ADOPT) Act. He was joined by original co-sponsors Rep. Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Rep. Laurel Lee (FL-15), and Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37).

The ADOPT Act protects adoptive families, children, and expectant mothers from exploitation by unlicensed adoption intermediaries. The legislation requires adoption providers and attorneys to operate only in states where they are licensed, ensuring that adoptive families have access to licensed, regulated, and trustworthy providers in their communities.

“Every child deserves the chance to find a loving, forever home in a safe and ethical way. For too long, unlicensed intermediaries have exploited vulnerable birth mothers and prospective adoptive parents,” said Congressman Aderholt. “The ADOPT Act ensures that adoption providers operate aboveboard and within the law. I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation to protect families and children from bad practices and to promote responsible, caring adoption services.” 

This legislation prevents the commodification of children by holding bad actors accountable and establishes oversight to stop intermediaries who operate outside moral and ethical standards. It was introduced with bipartisan support in both chambers of Congress, showing the shared commitment to protecting vulnerable birth mothers and prospective parents.

“The adoption process should always protect the best interests of children and support families with transparency, safety, and dignity. Unfortunately, unlicensed intermediaries too often exploit parents and children through misleading advertising and coercive tactics,” said Congresswoman Laurel Lee (FL-15). “I’m proud to join Congressman Aderholt in introducing the ADOPT Act to strengthen oversight, stop bad actors, and ensure every child and every family is supported by ethical, responsible adoption practices. This legislation brings much-needed safeguards to a system that must always put children first.”

“Adoption should be an exciting time for adoptive parents and children, who deserve a transition as safe and seamless as possible,” said Congresswoman Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Co-Chair of the Congressional Foster Youth Caucus. “Unfortunately, too often, unlicensed adoption intermediaries complicate this process and exploit adoptive families. I’m proud to co-lead the ADOPT Act to protect adoptive families and ensure adoption providers are licensed, trustworthy, and accessible.”

“Adoption is a wonderful way for children to join loving, forever families,” said Rep. Danny K Davis (IL-07). “I gladly join my colleagues in advancing this important legislation that will help protect expectant mothers, children, and families during the adoption process.”

Senator Katie Britt (R-AL) and Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

“I believe it is incumbent upon Congress to ensure loving parents pursuing adoption to grow their families, expectant mothers working with adoption providers, and children are protected from bad actors seeking to take advantage of the adoption process,” said Senator Britt. “This legislation does just that, establishing necessary oversight in the adoption process to promote transparency and uphold the integrity of adoption in our nation. I’ll always use my position on the federal level to fight for women, children, and families, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in this latest effort to defend those involved in the adoption process from exploitation.”

 “Adoption changes lives — for kids and adoptive parents alike. Unfortunately, unlicensed ‘baby brokers’ prey on vulnerable mothers and families, hurting everyone in the process,” said Senator Klobuchar, co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption. “That’s why Senator Britt and I are introducing the bipartisan ADOPT Act, which protects expecting mothers and adoptive families from exploitation by ensuring that parents pursuing private, domestic adoption are working with trusted, licensed professionals.”

“Adoption is a great source of joy to families across the nation,” said Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND. “The adoption process can be complicated, allowing baby brokers to prey on vulnerable birth mothers and adoptive families. Every family wishing to adopt should be confident the professionals they work with are the real deal who have their best interests in mind. Our ADOPT Act closes loopholes to prevent unscrupulous unlicensed adoption intermediaries from exploiting pregnant women and hopeful families.”

“The Academy of Adoption and Assisted Reproduction Attorneys (AAAA) applauds efforts to protect adoptive families and children during the adoption process, by ensuring they are served by licensed adoption professionals, with appropriate oversight and transparency,” said Genie Miller Gillespie, Adoption Policy Director of AAAA. “Welcoming a child into a family through adoption is a tremendous and joyous event; the legal process behind that adoption must match the magnitude of the event. Ensuring the guardrails of the legal process are maintained and that all parties to an adoption are protected will help ensure that families do not have their hopes exploited. The ADOPT Act is an important step in protecting families and children.”

“The ADOPT Act better ensures expectant mothers considering adoption have a trustworthy team around them and all the information and resources available to them before deciding whether to place their child for adoption,” says Ryan Hanlon, president and CEO of National Council For Adoption. “What’s more, the ADOPT Act will save prospective adoptive families—many of whom consider adoption after a painful infertility journey—time, resources and additional heartbreak in the event a placement falls apart after signing with a predatory unlicensed adoption intermediary.

Introduced during National Adoption Month, the ADOPT Act is an important step to ensure safe and transparent adoption practices.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced the introduction of the Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act which provides immigration-related benefits and protections for certain Armed Forces veterans.

“As a veteran myself, I know the responsibility we have as a country to live up to the promises made to our men and women in uniform. That includes delivering a clear pathway to citizenship for our immigrant veterans,” said Thompson. “Tens of thousands of servicemembers currently enlisted in our Armed Services are non-citizens, and I’m proud to introduce the Support and Defend our Military Personnel and Their Families Act to help ensure that they are honored for their sacrifice and work, regardless of where they were born.”

“The Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and Their Families Act restores common sense and basic decency by protecting military families, speeding reunification, and recognizing the service and sacrifice of those who defend our nation. No one who raises their right hand to serve this country should have to fear that their own family could be torn apart by an administration bent on imposing a cruel, partisan agenda. In fact, putting servicemembers through that kind of mental torture needlessly hurts military readiness. We applaud Congressman Thompson’s leadership and urge Members to join him in passing this important legislation without delay,” said Mary Kaszynski, Director of Government Relations, VoteVets.

BACKGROUND

According to the Congressional Research Service, approximately 35,000 non-citizens are on active duty in our Armed Forces. In addition, many serving U.S. citizens have family members who are not U.S. citizens. Non-citizen servicemembers and those with non-citizen family members often face daunting and complex immigration law and procedure and long waits to naturalize.

The Support and Defend Our Military Personnel and their Families Act addresses the immigration concerns of America’s military personnel, our veterans, and their family members back home in the following ways:

• Allows non-citizen veterans who served during wartime periods to access naturalization procedures.
• Exempts spouses and children of non-citizens serving in the Armed Forces from family-based immigration visa caps.
• Allows the parent, spouse, child, or minor sibling of an active duty servicemember or honorably discharged veteran to petition for legal permanent residence if an immigrant visa is immediately available. Also waives certain criteria for inadmissibility and allows these family members to apply up to two years after the sponsoring veteran dies as a result of a service-connected injury or disease.
• Requires the Department of Homeland Security to take into consideration a non-citizen veteran’s military service when facing removal proceedings.

Read the full text of the bill here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Woodland, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced he has secured into law $375,000 in federal funding for Yolo Food Bank’s mobile pantry truck project. The funding will go toward purchasing a truck for Yolo Food Bank to start a mobile pantry program serving Yolo County’s residents.

“Almost one-third of Yolo County residents face food insecurity and not everybody has the means to travel to our local food bank. Investing in a mobile food pantry just makes sense. That’s why I’m proud to have secured $375,000 in federal funds to purchase a truck and kickstart Yolo Food Bank’s mobile pantry program to bring fresh, locally sourced food to our community members. Thank you to the team at Yolo Food Bank for identifying the need for these funds and partnering with me to make this happen,” said Rep. Thompson.

“This generous gift of a mobile Food Truck will help Yolo Food Bank efficiently distribute fresh, locally-sources free free food to our community members at a time when they need it most. Our thanks goes to Congressman Thompson who always prioritizes our hard-working, rural communities and their needs—what a passionate champion!” said Karen Baker, Executive Director of the Yolo Food Bank.

The funding secured by Rep. Thompson will go towards purchasing a truck to start a mobile pantry program that will serve Yolo County’s rural residents, providing a unique and convenient method for the community to access fresh produce. According to the Yolo Food Bank’s 2023 Yolo County Food Access Survey, almost one-third of Yolo County residents experience food insecurity. Nearly 20 percent of those who need food assistance do not access food relief resources. One of the reasons for this gap is the lack of access to transportation. By purchasing a food truck, Yolo Food Bank will be able to bring fresh, locally sourced food to our community. The mobile pantry will operate year-round and focus on seasonal produce purchased from local farmers. Yolo Food Bank will also hire an Ag Procurement Manager who will leverage relationships with local farmers and food hubs to help purchase fresh, local produce that Yolo Food Bank can provide on the Mobile Pantry Truck.

About Community Project Funding (CPF)

Rep. Thompson requested funding for this project through Congress’ Community Project Funding (CPF) process. Each year, Members of Congress may direct federal funding to a select number of Community Projects through the appropriations process. Under this process, each House member is permitted to submit 15 project requests to the Appropriations Committee on behalf of their Congressional District so long as the projects meet criteria set forth by the Committee. There are no guarantees that Community Projects will all be funded, and the projects are competitively evaluated by the Committee on Appropriations.

Project selection and submissions is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process before they may be selected for inclusion in the relevant appropriations legislation for the upcoming year.

Find more information on Rep. Thompson’s CPFs here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Napa, CA — Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) today announced that he secured a $6.8 million federal grant from the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to purchase six new Gillig hybrid-electric buses for the Napa Valley Transit Authority’s Vine Transit fleet. The funding comes from the FTA’s Low or No Emission Vehicle Grant Program, which helps communities replace aging buses with cleaner, more efficient transit options.

“I’m proud to have helped NVTA secure this $6.8 million federal grant to purchase six new hybrid-electric buses for our Vine Transit system,” said Rep. Thompson. “With these new buses, NVTA will both improve rider experience and reduce emissions. It’s a win-win for Napa Valley residents and our planet.”  

“It’s an honor to have the Federal Transit Administration recognize the work of NVTA once again, helping us to enhance our lifeline public transportation services,” said Antonio Onorato, NVTA’s Director of Administration, Finance, and Policy. “For a small agency, we have been very fortunate with competitive grants and punching above our weight class when it comes to securing federal funds.”

The new hybrid buses will operate on several of Vine Transit’s busiest routes, including those connecting to BART, the Vallejo Ferry, and Capitol Corridor trains. Once deployed, they will improve the rider experience, reduce emissions, and strengthen transit connections throughout Napa County.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced Ishaan Dhaliwal from Davis Senior High School as the winner of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge. Ishaan’s app “Anchor: Surgery Recovery” helps patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries stay on track during the recovery process.

“STEM education is critical to prepare our nation’s middle- and high-schoolers for the future workforce. That’s why I look forward to hosting the Congressional App Challenge each year. It’s a great opportunity to engage our community’s students in creative, innovative coding projects,” said Thompson.

“Congratulations to Ishaan on his outstanding app to help patients recover from surgeries virtually, and congratulations to Shirochka Janapati from Technology High School for winning second place, and Logan Anello, Kevin Corrales, Maria Torres, and Cheyenne Williams from Winters High School for winning third place! I’m blown away by this year’s submissions. I encourage each and every one of our participants to continue to work hard to develop their coding skills and to spread the word so we can expand our competition even more in 2026.”

The apps were evaluated by a panel of judges from the Fourth District: Laura Swart from Keysight Technologies, Michael Silva from Solano Community College, and Joel Pyzer from Woodland Community College.

The final standings were:

1st Place: Ishaan Dhaliwal from Davis Senior High School for “Anchor: Surgery Recovery” helps patients recovering from orthopedic surgeries stay on track during the recovery process.

2nd Place: Shirochka Janapati from Technology High School in Rohnert Park for “CommUnity,” an app designed to help users track community service and volunteer opportunities.

3rd Place: Logan Anello, Kevin Corrales, Maria Torres, and Cheyenne Williams from Winters High School for “CammyFit,” an app designed to help users track their healthy habits including diet and exercise.

BACKGROUND

Each year, the U.S. House of Representatives hosts the Congressional App Challenge to encourage middle school and high school student participation in computer science. The App Challenge is an opportunity for students to compete against peers within their congressional district to design and code an original application. The student or students behind each winning application are invited to Washington, D.C. to present their application to members of Congress and leaders in the technology sector. Each winning app is also displayed in the U.S. Capitol and shown on House.gov.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Thompson was selected for the task force by Democratic Assistant Leader Joe Neguse due to his experience fighting for our democracy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) released the following statement in response to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (NHTSA) new proposed Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that gut common-sense fuel efficiency standards for passenger vehicle model years 2022–2031.

“President Trump promised to lower costs for American families, but the Trump Administration is working hard to make sure Americans are paying more at the pump,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “For decades, fuel efficiency standards have reduced the cost of filling up the tank, but in yet another reckless and misguided attack on the American middle class, the Trump Administration is rolling back these standards, ensuring it costs American families more to get from point A to point B.”

“Once again, President Trump and Republicans are choosing to boost profits for oil and gas CEOs, rather than bring down costs for the average American,” Matsui continued. “Killing the fuel-efficiency standards is a lose-lose-lose situation: losing out on $84 billion in total savings, losing out on 50.4 miles per gallon in fuel efficiency by 2031, and losing out to our foreign competitors who are rapidly innovating in more efficient vehicle technologies. It is becoming clearer by the day just how far the Trump Administration will go to renege on their promise of lowering costs for the American people.” 

Since 1975, CAFE fuel efficiency standards have saved American drivers thousands of dollars in fuel costs. The current existing standards were expected to save Americans more than $84 billion in fuel costs and other health benefits. However, the Trump Administration’s new proposed CAFE standards would not only rollback the existing standards; they would also end fuel-efficiency credits that help lower the cost of manufacturing electric vehicles—yet another thinly veiled attack on EVs. 

This follows Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill, which eliminated penalties for automakers that fail to comply with fuel-efficiency standards. This means there’s effectively no requirement to follow the standards at all. The “standards” aren’t worth the paper they’re printed on. It’s a one-two gut punch directly to Americans’ wallets.

Congresswoman Matsui has been a leading voice in the fight for clean air and serves as Co-Chair of the Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC). She has consistently advocated for stronger vehicle pollution standards, fought to preserve California’s Clean Air Act waiver, championed the Diesel Emissions Reduction Act, and pushed for ambitious clean vehicle deployment. In September, she led over 100 lawmakers in opposing the rollback of EPA emission standards.

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

“Given the scale of detention being carried out by this Administration, we urge DHS and ICE to provide answers about food service operations within detention facilities,” the Members wrote in the letter. “It is important to note, detention is a civil, not criminal, process as ICE’s own website notes ‘Detention is non-punitive.’ While individuals are held in ICE custody, they deserve to be treated with dignity and respect, which includes providing all detainees with complete and nutritious meals.”

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

Mercedes Wells gave birth on the side of the road after being discharged from an Indiana hospital