Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

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

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement today in response to the House vote on the Iran War Powers Resolution: 

“This president’s unauthorized war in Iran has already cost six American lives and over $5 billion in taxpayer dollars, and there is no clear end in sight. I voted against this war today.

“I’m a combat veteran, and like any combat veteran will tell you: war is hell. We need transparency from this administration on their plans in Iran, and they have failed to provide a clear justification for the war, a plan for the war, or an exit strategy to end the war.

“I was one of the few members of Congress who voted against the war in Iraq because of my own experience. Many of the people I served with never came home. And right now, we are barreling toward repeating the same mistakes that unnecessarily cost us so many lives and dollars.

“Let me be clear: Iran’s regime is terrible, and we must always defend our nation against threats. But this administration needs the authorization of Congress before sending American troops into harm’s way.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“Today, I voted against President Trump’s reckless war, which he has not justified to the American people or Congress. The people I represent want lower prices and less war from this Administration, but they are getting higher prices and more war.

“No one is lamenting the fate of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The President, however, has provided no clear objectives or plan for the ongoing combat operations against Iran, which have already cost six American servicemembers their lives.

“As I have done in the past and will continue to do, I honor and respect the women and men of the United States military. My thoughts are with the families of the six women and men killed in this conflict.”

Today, Rep. Larsen voted yes on a resolution that directs President Trump to remove the U.S. military from hostilities against the Islamic Republic of Iran and its military, unless such hostilities are explicitly authorized by Congress. The resolution does not prevent the U.S. from defending itself from imminent attack. It also does not prevent the U.S. from collecting or sharing intelligence and counterintelligence with partners in line with the United States’ national security interests.

The resolution failed by a final vote of 212 to 219.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“Republicans have once again put forward a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill that fails to create accountability for ICE’s reckless enforcement agenda and killing of U.S. citizens. I voted no, and I will continue to oppose full-year funding for DHS until ICE agents are required to follow the same rules as every other law enforcement agency.

“At the same time, Congress must ensure that FEMA, the Coast Guard and critical aviation security functions within DHS remain fully funded and operational. These agencies are essential to helping the communities I represent recover from last year’s devastating floods and prepare for the World Cup, and helping to keep Americans safe. I support legislation to fully fund every agency within DHS except ICE, CBP and the office of the Secretary.”

The House of Representatives voted today on a bill to fully fund DHS with no reforms to ICE and CBP operations. The bill passed by a final vote of 221 to 209.

Rep. Larsen is cosponsoring legislation to fully fund the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Coast Guard, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and every other agency within DHS except ICE, CBP and the Office of the DHS Secretary. He is the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over FEMA, the U.S. Coast Guard, and TSA.

Rep. Larsen supports negotiating a full-year funding bill for ICE, CBP and the office of the DHS Secretary that creates accountability and oversight of ICE operations and DHS detention facilities.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined 184 colleagues in both houses of Congress in reintroducing the DISCLOSE Act, legislation to end dark money in American elections and make government more accountable to the will of voters.  

“Folks in Northwest Washington deserve to participate in a fair election and have the right to know who is spending money to influence elections,” said Representative Larsen. “This legislation will ensure accountability in our electoral process so voters can make informed decisions about the candidates running for office.” 

Since the 2010 Citizens United decision, secret spending in U.S. elections by corporations, ultra-rich ideological extremists, and secretive front groups has exploded. Dark-money expenditures have increased from less than $5 million in 2006 to more than $300 million in the 2012 election cycle, and topped $1.9 billion in 2024, shattering the previous record of $1 billion in 2020.  

The bill is sponsored by all 47 senators who caucus with Democrats, and 138 Democrats in the House. Rep. Larsen has supported the DISCLOSE Act since it was first introduced in 2010. 

The DISCLOSE Act would restore transparency in American elections and restore fairness and accountability in our political system by: 

1. Requiring super PACs, 501(c)(4) “dark money” groups, corporations, and other organizations spending more than $10,000 in elections and on judicial nominations to promptly disclose donors who contribute more than $10,000; 
2. Shutting down the use of transfers between organizations to cloak the identity of the original contributor. 
3. Strengthening prohibitions against foreign actors participating in election spending in the United States, including in state and local referenda; 
4. Prohibiting the establishment of corporations to conceal election contributions and donations by foreign actors; 
5. Expanding “stand by your ad” disclosure requirements to online ads and ads that may promote or attack a candidate but stop short of expressly advocating for a vote for or against a candidate; and 
6. Requiring identification of top funders of outside groups paying for video, text, or audio political ads. 

The bill has been adapted to the modern political ecosystem. The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 would: 

1. Capture payments made to social media influencers to promote or oppose a candidate as political spending that must be disclosed and disclaimed; 
2. Narrow and specify what constitutes threats and harassment to qualify for an exemption to disclosure, and put commonsense guardrails on the process to grant such exemptions; and 
3. Allow more flexibility for disclaimers for short political ads instead of limiting it to hyperlinks. 

A summary of the DISCLOSE Act of 2026 can be found here. The House bill text can be found here, and the Senate bill text can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) released the following statement after voting to fund the Department of Homeland Security.

“For the last 19 days, during a period of heightened global tensions, Democrats have withheld funding for the Department of Homeland Security. The Department was established after the September 11th attacks to protect Americans during periods just like this. Democrats shamefully played games with our national security. Today, I’m proud to vote once again to reopen and fully fund the Department of Homeland Security,” said Rep. Kelly.

WHAT THE BILL DOES:

• Reopens DHS: Brings an end to the Democrat-driven shutdown and gets the Department of Homeland Security back to full operations.
• Restores Critical National Security Functions: Returns essential agencies — including TSA, CISA, FEMA, and the Coast Guard — to full mission capacity to protect the homeland.
• Pays Our Personnel: Ensures the law enforcement officers, servicemembers, and civilian personnel protecting our homeland receive the pay they have earned.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement after voting for H.Con.Res. 38, a War Powers Resolution directing President Trump to end his illegal war with Iran:

“Last weekend, Donald Trump started a war of choice against Iran without Congressional authorization—in violation of the U.S. Constitution. That alone is reason enough to vote YES on this War Powers Resolution, as I did today.

“As his war spreads throughout the region, the self-declared ‘Peace President’ is flailing to justify his actions. Meanwhile, casualties are estimated to have surpassed 1,200 and six U.S. soldiers have been killed. We should be able by now to identify the makings of a forever war—and we must redouble our efforts to prevent its escalation.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

Case Votes To Assert Congress’ Exclusive Constitutional Authority To Authorize War

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today voted against a War Powers Resolution sponsored by Reps. Thomas Massie (KY-04) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) that would have forced an immediate end of military operations in Iran. 

The resolution failed in a 212-219 vote. Golden has instead joined Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) to sponsor a resolution that would give President Donald Trump 30 days to end military action and prohibit the deployment of ground troops without explicit congressional authority. 

Golden released the following statement: 

“The president has not provided sufficient clarity for why this action was necessary at this exact moment. But servicemembers are actively engaged in hostilities, our allies are under attack and the Iranian regime is more desperate than ever to reassert its power. While I do not believe that an abrupt about-face is a good course of action given the reality on the ground, that should not be construed as my approval. While conflict requires that we remain flexible to shifting circumstances, at this time I would not support Congressional authorization or funding for sustained combat operations.

“The president has so far acted within the authorities given to him by Congress through the War Powers Act of 1973. He has been briefing Congress, and he has 60 days to make his case for ongoing operations. This is not an illegal war — but it could become one. 

“There are reasonable constraints Congress should impose. I urge my colleagues to join me in passing the Resolution I have introduced with Congressman Gottheimer, which would cut the president’s authorized timeline for military action to 30 days and prohibit the deployment of ground troops outside the context of search-and-rescue or intelligence gathering. A month is plenty of time for the president to make his case to the American people — and for Congress to weigh in.” 

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

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