Rep. Loudermilk on Iran War Powers Resolution – U.S. Representative Barry Loudermilk

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement after voting in opposition to H. Con. Res. 38 – Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran:

“The decision by the United States to launch Operation Epic Fury was a necessary and decisive action to defend our nation against imminent threats from the openly hostile Iranian regime. For decades, Iran has made clear its intent to destroy America and has consistently sown death, chaos, and instability throughout the Middle East.

“President Trump has been unwavering in his position that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon; and that commitment was demonstrated late last year through Operation Midnight Hammer, which hit Iranian nuclear production sites. In the months since, Iran has worked to reconstitute its nuclear program while accelerating its pursuit of advanced ballistic missile capabilities that would threaten America and our allies in the region.

“Despite good-faith negotiations by the President and his Administration, the regime repeatedly rejected any peaceful resolution. Therefore, In coordination with Israel and our Arab allies, the United States launched targeted strikes to permanently degrade the threat posed by the Iranian regime. The objectives of this operation are clear: dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and the infrastructure that sustains them, neutralize the Iranian Navy’s operational capacity, and ensure that terrorist proxies can no longer be used to attack Americans or our partners.

“I support the mission to safeguard American lives and defend our national interests. The United States military remains the finest fighting force in history, and we are confident in their ability to accomplish this mission swiftly and decisively. We pray for the safety of every service member involved in this operation defending our freedom.”

Congressman Allen Issues Statement on War Powers Resolution and DHS Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

This evening on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) voted no on H. Con. Res. 38, otherwise known as the War Powers Resolution, which would unnecessarily tie the hands of the Administration during hostilities with Iran. Congressman Allen also voted yes on H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2026, which fully funds DHS and supports efforts to defend our homeland. Following tonight’s floor activity, Congressman Allen released the statement below:

“Iran is responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist regime in the world. The last thing we need to do is hamstring the Administration and our military leaders as they actively defend American citizens from the evolving threat that Iran poses. The President fulfilled the requirements under the War Powers Resolution by briefing the Gang of Eight before the strikes on Iran occurred. Additionally, Article II of the U.S. Constitution is clear that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and has a duty to act in defense of our nation. 

“For that reason, I voted no on the War Powers Resolution offered by Reps. Massie and Khanna. I agree with President Trump that the Iranian regime must never obtain a nuclear weapon, and after receiving a classified briefing earlier this week on Operation Epic Fury, I am even more confident that we will achieve the objectives laid out in detail by the Administration.

“Further, and more important now than ever, we must fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. For nearly three weeks, Democrats have obstructed and irresponsibly shut down the department tasked with defending our homeland. That is shameful. House Republicans once again did our work to fully fund DHS—including the Coast Guard, TSA, FEMA, and Air Traffic Controllers. The longer Democrats keep DHS shut down, the more danger they impose on the American people, especially during this time of heightened uncertainty. 

“Robin and I continue to pray for the families and loved ones of the service members we lost and all of those who continue fighting to ensure Iran’s terrorist proxies can no longer harm Americans and destabilize the Middle East.”

Grothman’s CRACKDOWN Act Advances Through Education and Workforce Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) today announced that his Combating Regulatory Abuse, Closing Known Deficiencies, and Overseeing Waste Nationwide (CRACKDOWN) Act (H.R. 7721) advanced through the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce. The proposal reflects lessons learned from successful reforms in Wisconsin and encourages states to address improper government payments before problems escalate, as recently seen in Minnesota.

Grothman’s bill establishes a 5% improper payment threshold for states participating in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, If the state goes above the 5% CCDBG improper payment threshold, then the state is required to take corrective action. This bill strengthens oversight and ensures taxpayer dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.

“When improper payment rates rise above the level of honest mistakes, it’s a clear sign that something needs to be addressed,” said Rep. Grothman. “The CRACKDOWN Act sets a 5 percent threshold so states take action before small problems spiral into major fraud or abuse of taxpayer dollars.

“Wisconsin understands the importance of strong oversight. In 2010, our state faced widespread fraud within its child care program and responded with meaningful reforms, expanding background checks, creating a dedicated fraud unit, and strengthening audits. Because of those reforms, Wisconsin now has an improper payment rate below 1 percent.

“Unfortunately, not every state has taken those steps. Minnesota, for example, currently has an improper payment rate of 9.18 percent, nearly double the national average. With the national improper payment rate around 4.9 percent, the current 10 percent threshold is simply too high. Lowering it to 5 percent creates a fair and responsible benchmark for accountability while keeping in place the corrective action tools states need to get back on track. Thirty-eight states already meet this standard today, proving this is a common-sense step to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure these programs operate the way they should.”

Background Information

  • H.R. 7721, the CRACKDOWN Act, lowers the improper payment threshold in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program from 10 percent to 5 percent.
  • States exceeding the threshold must implement a corrective action plan to improve program integrity and reduce improper payments.
  • The current national improper payment rate is approximately 4.9 percent.
  • Thirty-eight states already meet the proposed 5 percent benchmark.
  • Wisconsin implemented major reforms in 2010 to combat fraud in its child care system, including stronger background checks, the creation of a fraud unit, and expanded auditing. The state now maintains an improper payment rate below 1 percent.

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Congressman García’s Statement on Trump Firing DHS Secretary Noem

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 on Trump firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:

“No matter who runs it, DHS is a rogue and lawless agency designed to trample on our civil rights. 

“My position remains the same: not another dollar for ICE and CBP, and DHS must be dismantled to end its reign of terror in our communities.

“Kristi Noem’s tenure was defined by lawlessness, corruption, and cruelty. She deserved to be fired, but we still need accountability for crimes committed on her watch.  

“Nothing about Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s record suggests he will be different.”

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Rep. Craig Statement on President Trump's Firing of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he will be replacing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin.

“Kristi Noem was unqualified from the start, and she reminded Minnesotans of that fact every single day she served as Secretary of Homeland Security. Under her leadership, ICE terrorized our state and got two Minnesotans killed. That’s why I led articles of impeachment against her in the House and have repeatedly called for her resignation. 

“While this is welcome news, we should all be clear that President Trump is firing Noem because she made him look bad, not because he believes her tactics were wrong. 

“Minnesotans know we are not out of the woods yet and we can’t afford another rubber stamp for Trump’s immigration agenda leading DHS. And even though we’ve seen that loyalty is a one-way street for this president, that’s exactly what Markwayne Mullin will be. 

“I’m urging Senate Democrats not to support Mullin’s nomination or give a cent to Trump’s DHS until his administration agrees to rein in ICE and start following the law.” 

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Davids Demands Truth for Seniors on Social Security Tax

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

This week, Representative Sharice Davids demanded that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano immediately clarify conflicting public statements regarding federal taxes on Social Security benefits.

In recent months, the president and other administration officials have claimed that their partisan budget law eliminated federal taxes on Social Security benefits. However, the law itself did not eliminate those taxes. Instead, it created a temporary $6,000 tax deduction for a small subset of eligible seniors from 2025 through 2028 — a separate provision that does not repeal the underlying taxation of benefits.

“As enacted, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a temporary tax deduction of $6,000 for eligible seniors… While this deduction may provide relief for some, it does not eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits,” wrote Davids. “When the federal government provides conflicting or inaccurate information, it undermines trust and places an unfair burden on seniors who are trying to make responsible financial decisions. As Americans navigate retirement planning and the 2026 tax season, clarity is not optional — it is essential.” 

Nonpartisan estimates indicate that fewer than half of seniors nationwide are expected to benefit from the new deduction. Meanwhile, federal taxes on Social Security benefits remain in place. In July, the Social Security Administration issued a clarification confirming that those taxes were not eliminated, but administration officials continue to push false information.

Davids asks Treasury and SSA to confirm in writing whether the law eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits, whether Americans must still report Social Security income on their federal tax filings, and whether implementation of the law could impact Social Security’s long-term solvency. She requested responses by April 1, 2026.

The letter comes as Americans prepare their taxes and amid broader concerns about the stability of Social Security. Over the past year, seniors have faced uncertainty regarding administrative changes and public rhetoric surrounding the program. Davids has consistently pushed back on efforts to gut Social Security and emphasized that transparency is critical to maintaining trust.

Read Davids’ full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Bessent and Commissioner Bisignano,

I am writing to request clarity on federal taxes on Social Security benefits. Public statements from the administration have claimed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated these taxes, but the law itself and agency guidance indicate otherwise. America’s seniors deserve honesty from their government as they plan for retirement and prepare to file their taxes.

As enacted, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a temporary tax deduction of $6,000 for eligible seniors, in effect from 2025 through 2028. While this deduction may provide relief for some, it does not eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits. Rather, this deduction exists alongside those continued taxes. Nonpartisan estimates indicate that fewer than half of seniors nationwide will benefit from the deduction at all.

Despite this, President Trump and the White House have repeatedly and publicly stated that the law eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits. That claim is incorrect and misleading. In July, the Social Security Administration issued a correction clarifying that taxes on Social Security benefits have not been eliminated.

When the federal government provides conflicting or inaccurate information, it undermines trust and places an unfair burden on seniors who are trying to make responsible financial decisions. As Americans navigate retirement planning and the 2026 tax season, clarity is not optional — it is essential.

This comes after a year of uncertainty and fear for folks who rely on Social Security. Under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the ongoing fallout, seniors have faced threats of cuts to vital Social Security Administration services, baseless claims of widespread fraud, and damaging comments dismissing Social Security as a “scam” and “Ponzi scheme.” Americans who have paid into Social Security over a lifetime of work should never have to wonder whether their earned benefits will be there when they need them.

Given the seriousness of these issues and the need for clear, factual guidance, I ask for your administration’s clarification by responding, in writing, to the following questions by April 1, 2026:

  1. Did the One Big Beautiful Bill Act directly eliminate federal taxes on Social Security? If so, will agency guidance be corrected? If not, will administration officials commit to correcting public statements that claim otherwise?
  2. Are Americans still required to report Social Security income on their federal tax filings?
  3. Is implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act  expected to accelerate insolvency of Social Security?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Millions of Americans — and especially seniors — depend on Social Security and on straightforward, truthful information from their government. I urge your administration to provide clarity and transparency they deserve. I look forward to reviewing your responses.

Natural Resources Democrats Secure Six Bipartisan Geothermal Bills, Save Our Sequoias Framework in Committee Markup

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

Committee advances clean energy legislation, sequoia protections, and bills to support Alaska Native communities

March 05, 2026

Washington, D.C. — Today, House Natural Resources Committee Democrats advanced a bipartisan package of geothermal energy bills and a negotiated framework to protect California’s giant sequoia groves during a full committee markup. Six geothermal bills passed by unanimous consent after Democrats successfully negotiated to maintain strong environmental standards and deliver real benefits to tribes, taxpayers, and communities.

“At a time when we are divided on so many things, when there’s so much chaos and alarming news seemingly by the hour, it is refreshing to have a unanimous consent package today that is robust, to see that there’s been some honest, bipartisan cooperation and negotiation that went into the markup today,” Ranking Member Huffman said during the markup.

Geothermal energy accounts for only one-half of one percent of U.S. electricity generation, but America leads the world in geothermal capacity and next-generation technologies. The six geothermal bills in today’s unanimous consent package, including three sponsored by Democrats and three by Republicans, will help lower costs for Americans and promote responsible, efficient permitting through enhanced coordination, common-sense royalty reforms, and placing the geothermal industry on the same footing as oil and gas.

“Geothermal should be a point of strong bipartisan consensus. It’s one of America’s most promising and underutilized sources of energy,” Ranking Member Huffman said. “These bills will help us grow a 24/7, carbon pollution-free source of electricity that will help us combat both the affordability crisis and the climate crisis, and I’m grateful to our colleagues across the aisle for working with us in good faith to make this happen.”

Democrats also secured significant changes to the Save Our Sequoias Act, which establishes a framework to address the ongoing emergency threatening California’s iconic giant sequoia groves. Following the 2021 KNP Complex fire, which killed between 1,300 and 2,400 giant sequoias, the negotiated bill now includes critical protections that were absent from the original version.

“This took months of negotiations, and I want to you and your team for working with us in good faith,” Ranking Member Huffman said to Chairman Westerman. “A great deal of hard work went into refining this bill to include the right safeguards, and the result is a stronger, more balanced piece of legislation better equipped to support the ongoing restoration and recovery of our giant sequoias. As climate-driven wildfires threaten their very existence, this legislation provides some help, including coordinated, focused response that these agencies and the American people want to see.”

Bipartisan Wins

The following Democratic bills passed by unanimous consent:

  • H.R. 398 (Rep. Ocasio-Cortez), the Geothermal Cost-Recovery Act, gives the Department of the Interior cost-recovery authority for processing and monitoring geothermal projects, helping expedite reviews without undermining environmental protections or community input.
  • H.R. 1077 (Rep. Susie Lee), the STEAM Act, extends existing categorical exclusions to geothermal projects, providing equal treatment with oil and gas.
  • H.R. 5617 (Rep. Ansari), the Geothermal Gold Book Development Act, directs DOI to publish standard procedures for efficient and environmentally responsible geothermal leasing and permitting.
  • H.R. 3553 (Rep. Min), the BRUSH Fires Act, directs the Forest Service to study wildfire mitigation in shrubland ecosystems following the devastating 2025 Los Angeles fires.

Additional bills passed by unanimous consent include H.R. 41, which finally recognizes five Southeast Alaska Native communities that were wrongly denied eligibility under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act, and H.R. 5682, which takes land into trust for the Pechanga Band of Indians to consolidate their ancestral lands around Pu’éska Mountain.

Save Our Sequoias Protections

The negotiated Save Our Sequoias Act incorporates significant guardrails that Democrats secured, including requirements that all protection projects comply with existing land management plans and federal laws, “extraordinary circumstances” protections for categorical exclusions, and public notice and meeting requirements. Republicans agreed to strike amendments to the Wilderness Act, remove specific Endangered Species Act bypasses for the Pacific fisher and California spotted owl, and eliminate references to chemical treatments for invasive species.

“These trees are not just an iconic keystone species; they are a profound ecological, cultural, and scientific legacy,” Ranking Member Huffman said. “But I want to be clear that a bill, including this bill, can only do so much. Restoration, reforestation, long-term monitoring will fail if the National Park Service and the Forest Service continue to struggle with shrinking budgets and staffing shortages. Protecting these sequoia groves is not just about passing a piece of legislation. It’s about ensuring these agencies tasked with their survival have the capacity and the expertise and the stability to continue this critical work.”

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Foster Statement on DHS Funding, War Powers Resolution Votes

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster issued a statement following his votes against funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and in favor of the War Powers Resolution:

“House Republicans are attempting to use Trump’s war in Iran as a pretext to fund DHS without implementing reforms to ICE. Escalating conflict abroad cannot be used as leverage to avoid accountability at home. Democrats proposed commonsense guardrails for ICE—standards most law enforcement already follow. I voted against this funding bill, and will continue to oppose any legislation that funds ICE without including serious reforms.

“Additionally, the Constitution is clear: the President does not have the authority to take the United States into sustained military conflict without Congressional authorization. To date, the Administration has not made a compelling case to Congress to justify Trump’s actions in Iran, and has failed to detail a plan to address Iran’s stockpile of weapons-usable 60 percent enriched uranium. That is unacceptable. Decisions that could draw our nation into another prolonged conflict and risk the lives of U.S. servicemembers demand transparency, deliberation, and Congressional approval.”

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DHS Secretary Noem Fired after Exchange with Congressman Cohen on Wednesday

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

At Judiciary Committee markup on forcing states to enforce immigration law earlier today, he had called again for Secretary Noem’s impeachment

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, welcomed the Trump administration’s decision to fire Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem a day after she appeared before the Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing.  In yesterday’s hearing, Congressman Cohen challenged Secretary Noem on her claim that she was deporting “the worst of the worst.” In remarks at this morning’s markup, Congressman Cohen followed up on his line of questioning, explaining why local law enforcement agencies decline to cooperate with an “out of control” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency. The legislation being considered would force state and local governments to enforce federal immigration law. He again called for Noem’s firing, impeachment or resignation.

In response to the announced firing of Noem, Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Even Donald Trump saw the need to end this 14-month horror show. Noem was in over her head and remained unaccountable until the end. The department has serious work ahead in any attempt to restore its credibility. After killing Americans and destroying the lives of millions of immigrants and their families, Noem’s removal could not come soon enough.  ICE is out of control and reports that her department obstructed its own Trump-appointed inspector general’s efforts to root out wrongdoing underscored Secretary Noem’s lawlessness, cruelty and corruption. She may leave office, but she will not be able to escape the accountability from Congress and the American people. Noem’s successor, Senator Markwayne Mullin, should absorb the many lessons to be learned from her failed tenure.” 

In his remarks at today’s markup, Congressman Cohen said in part:

“There are reasons why cities don’t want to cooperate with ICE. ICE has become recognized as the worst agency in this government. They have no respect for citizens. They do not act like law enforcement. Law enforcement acts with regard to people and to serve them. They wear badges. They have their names on their uniforms. They don’t have masks on. They don’t just come up and break your window and pull you out. And they don’t shoot you in the face or shoot you in the back ten times when you’ve done nothing wrong, certainly nothing violent. They did nothing wrong – Ms. Good and Mr. Pretti – nothing that a law enforcement officer would kill them for because they can only use deadly force under certain circumstances

“ICE has gotten totally out of control and this committee needs to do something about it…It’s not really law enforcement; it’s a paramilitary group…We have a paramilitary group operating in our streets in America, taking peoples’ rights away and killing them without oversight, and absolutely it’s Ms. Noem’s fault.

“She needs to be impeached if she doesn’t resign…She’s a discredit to this government and to her president.”

In his remarks, Congressman Cohen discussed the human toll of these policies, including the arrest and detention of an Afghan family of four in Memphis.

See Congressman Cohen’s entire remarks here.

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Congressman Biggs Votes Against Resolution Undermining President’s Authority to Confront Iranian Threat

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) voted against H.Con.Res. 38, a resolution directing the President to remove United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran. Congressman Biggs issues the following statement:

“I strongly support Congress exercising its constitutional role on matters of war and peace, but the resolution addressed a situation that does not exist. President Trump’s targeted actions to neutralize threats from the Iranian regime fall squarely within his Article II authority as Commander in Chief and within the parameters of the War Powers Act of 1973.

“The President’s actions were limited and strategic, consistent with longstanding precedent used by both Republican and Democrat administrations. Targeted military operations aimed at protecting American personnel and preventing Iran from advancing toward nuclear capability do not constitute open-ended war.

“Secretary Hegseth clarified the three-point mission: protect American lives, dismantle the regime’s ability to threaten the region, and ensure Iran never obtains a nuclear weapon. Strength and clarity deter conflict, weakness invites it. I will always support the constitutional balance of powers, but I will also support a President who is acting lawfully and within his constitutional authority to decisively keep Americans safe.”