Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Tracey Mann (KS-01), co-chairs of the Congressional FFA Caucus, led 58 of their colleagues in introducing a resolution to designate February 21-28 as National FFA Week. U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-IN) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced companion legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

“Our nation is yearning and ready for the next generation of young farmers, ranchers, and producers to continue the United States’ agricultural leadership,” said Rep. Panetta. “This bipartisan resolution recognizes the vital contributions of the National FFA Organization in training leaders who are ready to bolster both American food security and innovation. I am proud to once again work with my FFA Caucus co-chair, Representative Mann, to support the men and women who proudly wear the blue jacket so that they can help move our agriculture and our country forward.” 

“Happy National FFA Week,” said Rep. Mann. “This week, more than one million FFA members will reflect on the impact of the National FFA Organization and its role in shaping the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture. Those of us who have had the honor of wearing the blue jacket understand the lasting impact FFA has on molding and equipping young leaders to succeed. Across the country, FFA members will fulfill our motto—‘Learning to Do, Doing to Learn, Earning to Live, and Living to Serve’— through service projects, educational showcases, and engagement in their communities. As a past chapter FFA officer from Quinter, Kansas, proud FFA alumnus, and founder of the Congressional FFA Caucus, I’m honored to introduce this resolution.”

“Thanks to FFA, more young people have opportunities to pursue careers in agriculture and related fields,” said Chairman Thompson. “Agriculture provides the food, fiber, and fuel that keeps America going, but it will be nothing without the next generation. I am proud to celebrate FFA and all it does to inspire and encourage our youth.”

“I am proud to once again cosponsor the National FFA Week resolution, which recognizes the vital role this education and leadership play in shaping the next generation of agriculture leaders,” said Rep. Issa. “California is home to more than a million Future Farmers of America students, and they are demonstrating the energy and enthusiasm to safeguard our nation’s lands and preserve them for years to come.”

“Montana is home to nearly 6,700 FFA members across more than 100 chapters and plays a vital role in fostering the next generation of Montana’s agricultural community,” said Rep. Downing. “As a proud member of the FFA caucus, I’m pleased to join 58 of my colleagues in officially recognizing February 21st through 28th as National FFA Week.” 

“Since 1928, Nebraska FFA has helped shape our state’s next generation of agricultural leaders, equipping young people with the skills, experience, and passion needed to feed and fuel our world,” said Rep. Smith. “I am proud to cosponsor this year’s National FFA Week resolution and join members across the country in celebrating the extraordinary work of the National FFA Organization. With dedicated young leaders like these stepping forward, I have no doubt the future of American agriculture is bright.”

“Future Farmers of America plays an essential role in developing the next generation of farmers and leaders, ensuring our local agricultural industry can continue to thrive,” said Rep. Valadao. “As a former FFA member, I understand firsthand how valuable this organization is to our community, and I’m proud to honor and recognize their efforts this National FFA Week.”

“FFA made a big impact on my life, instilling leadership skills while I was in high school that I carry with me to this day,” said Chairman Graves. “FFA continues to provide high quality agriculture education, as well as valuable lessons in leadership and personal growth for the next generation and I’m proud to celebrate National FFA Week.”

“I’m proud to cosponsor the National FFA Week resolution and to recognize the extraordinary young leaders who are shaping the future of American agriculture,” said Rep. Cleaver. “During National FFA Week, we celebrate the students who rise before dawn to tend to livestock, who study science and technology in the classroom, and who serve their communities with integrity and grit. FFA is more than an organization, it’s a pathway to leadership, innovation, and opportunity in rural and urban communities alike. As we honor National FFA week, we recommit to supporting the next generation of farmers, ranchers, scientists, and agricultural entrepreneurs who keep our nation fed, fueled, and thriving.”

“Supporting and uplifting our young farmers is key to ensuring we revitalize and strengthen American agriculture,” said Rep. Budzinski. “Future Farmers of America is a vital piece of that puzzle, and National FFA week recognizes the contributions they have made to countless rural communities. Across central and southern Illinois, I’ve had the privilege of meeting the farmers of tomorrow who participate in FFA, and I am confident the future of food and agriculture is in good hands.”

“As we recognize National FFA Week, we celebrate the young men and women who represent the very best of rural America,” said Rep. Moore. “These students aren’t just learning how to farm – they’re learning leadership, responsibility, and the value of hard work. In Alabama’s First Congressional District and across our nation, these future farmers are carrying forward a proud agricultural heritage that feeds and fuels America. I’m grateful for their dedication, their teachers and mentors, and the families who support them. Investing in FFA is investing in the future of American agriculture.”

“National FFA Week is a time to recognize the young men and women who are stepping up to lead the future of American agriculture,” said Rep. Aderholt. “Across Alabama and the nation, FFA members are gaining the skills, character, and work ethic that will strengthen our farms, our communities, and our economy for generations to come. I’m proud to support this resolution honoring the National FFA Organization and the important role it plays in developing the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

“Future Farmers of America has equipped the next generation of agricultural leaders and passing the legacy of farming down to the next generation,” said Rep. Cline. “For nearly a century, students have relied on FFA to gain hands-on experiences in and out of the classroom that prepare them for success in agriculture and beyond. I am proud to recognize National FFA Week and the organization’s vital contributions to rural America through its hundreds of local chapters. From leadership development to technical training and community service, FFA continues to strengthen our communities and invest in the future of agriculture.”

“I am delighted to join Reps. Mann and Panetta in designating this week as National FFA Week to celebrate our future farmers and agricultural leaders,” said Rep. Newhouse. “As a former member of the FFA, I know firsthand how this program helps educate the next generation of agricultural leaders, not only in Central Washington, but around the country. Our Nation’s future depends on young Americans being engaged with and knowledgeable about farming and agricultural sciences, and the FFA does just that through prioritizing knowledge required to address problems faced by rural communities.”

“I’m honored to join my colleagues for this resolution that recognizes FFA students nationwide,” said Rep. Estes. “In my district, and all of Kansas, this program is incredibly important and successful to teach the practices of agriculture from a young age that shapes the next generation of leaders.” 

“FFA is raising up the next generation of ag and community leaders here in Nebraska and all across the country,” said Rep. Flood. “Their work is making a huge difference. This week, Congress salutes the FFA chapters in every corner of America that are teaching young leaders the skills they need to be civically engaged and to take the great paying jobs available in our ag economy.”

“I am proud to cosponsor this resolution marking February 21-28 as National FFA Week,” said Rep. Scott. “During this time, we reflect on the impact that the FFA National Organization has had on our agriculture community. The FFA helps to produce the next generation of agricultural leaders for our nation and cultivates future generations of the best growers and producers America has to offer. When you see FFA on a resume, you know that you are hiring a combination of talent and character, that is ready to take on the challenges and lead our country in the future. Happy National FFA Week.“

“The FFA has a long, proud tradition of engaging young Americans eager to grow the crops and livestock which keep our pantries full,” said Rep. Hageman. “The world-class personal and professional development programs of this key organization are curriculums to be admired by every industry. Wyoming’s nearly 5,000 members are the farmers and ranchers of tomorrow carrying the cowboy legacy of grit and determination to feed their neighbors. Recognizing the work of the FFA is critical to cultivating the next generation who will carry on our agricultural heritage as the global breadbasket.”

“National FFA Week is a time when we showcase the collective impact of FFA nationwide,” said National FFA Advisor, Dr. Travis Park. “Throughout FFA, we see our members stepping up as leaders, innovators, and advocates for agriculture. We know this happens, thanks to the dedication of agricultural teachers, FFA Alumni & Supporters, and our many partners. This week, National FFA Week, is when we celebrate the collective agricultural education ecosystem.”

“It is an exciting week for Kansas FFA members, advisors, alumni, and supporters,” said Kansas FFA State President Lillian Hulse. “During National FFA Week, everyone that has been impacted by the organization comes together to reflect on experiences and opportunities they have had in the blue corduroy jacket. The week is commemorated by highlighting the future of agriculture, chapters hosting events, members and alumni sharing memories, and continuing growth of career and leadership development.”

Click here for the text of the resolution.

The National FFA Organization is a congressionally chartered school-based national youth leadership organization of more than 1,042,245 student members as part of 9,400 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Washington DC, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. 

Reps. Mann and Panetta are co-chairs the Congressional FFA Caucus, with more than 60 members. Reps. Mann and Panetta originally launched the Congressional FFA Caucus in December 2021. The caucus serves to raise the profile of school-based agricultural education and FFA and to develop relationships between Congress and the next generation of leaders in food and agriculture.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley and Mississippi’s U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, along with U.S. Representatives Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), led a bipartisan group of over 150 lawmakers in calling for the U.S. Department of Education to not make changes to post-baccalaureate nursing degrees that would saddle nurses with more student loan debt. 

The lawmakers submitted public comment in response to a notice of proposed rulemaking from the U.S. Department of Education regarding changes to federal student loan programs that declassifies nursing degrees as “professional” and puts them in the same category as “graduate degrees.”

“We write with disappointment over the Department’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of ‘professional degree,’” the bipartisan group of 160 lawmakers wrote. “This will make it harder for nursing students to access the loans that they need.”

“Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes,” the lawmakers continued. “As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees.”

The lawmakers’ comment outlines their concerns over the rule’s omission of post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree,” meaning they would be classified as a “graduate degree.” If this omission is adopted during this rulemaking, the proposed definition threatens more debt for post-baccalaureate nursing students, as student loans are currently capped for new borrowers at $20,500 annually and $100,000 in the aggregate for “graduate” programs and $50,000 annually and $200,000 in the aggregate for “professional” programs.

As leaders of the Senate and House Nursing Caucuses, Merkley, Wicker, Kiggans, and Bonamici have championed bipartisanefforts to support the more than 5 million registered nurses across the United States and address the challenges facing the nursing workforce. Merkley is the husband of a nurse, and Kiggans is one of three nurses currently serving in Congress.

The bipartisan public comment is supported by 60 organizations, including the American Association of Colleges of Nursing; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Nurses Association; American College of Nurse-Midwives; Association of Women’s Health, Obstetric and Neonatal Nurses; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Council of State Boards of Nursing; and the National League for Nursing. A full list of supporting organizations can be found by clicking here.

In addition to Merkley, Wicker, Kiggans, and Bonamici, the comment submitted to the Department of Education was signed by U.S. Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Susan Collins (R-ME), Christopher Coons (D-DE), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Richard Durbin (D-IL), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Cynthia M. Lummis (R-WY), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Christopher Murphy (D-CT), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Adam B. Schiff (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Raphael G. Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR), as well as U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44), Jack Bergman (R-MI-01), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Robert Bresnahan (R-PA-08), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (D-CA-31), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Joe Courtney (D-CT-02), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Christopher Deluzio (D-PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Cleo Fields (D-LA-06), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Valerie Foushee (D-NC-04), Laura Friedman (D-CA-30), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY-02), Daniel Goldman (D-NY-10), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Al Green (D-TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Michael Guest (R-MS-03), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), James Himes (D-CT-04), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), David Joyce (R-OH-14), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), Rick Larsen (D-WA-02), John Larson (D-CT-01), Michael Lawler (R-NY-17), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Ryan Mackenzie (R-PA-07), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Sarah McBride (D-DE-At Large), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Richard McCormick (R-GA-07), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY-03), James McGovern (D-MA-02), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Joseph Morelle (D-NY-25), Kelly Morrison (D-MN-03), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), James Moylan (R-GU-Delegate), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-Delegate), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05), Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), John Rutherford (R-FL-05), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Kim Schrier (D-WA-08), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Eric Sorensen (D-IL-17), Darren Soto (D-FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM-01), Haley Stevens (D-MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Thomas Suozzi (D-NY-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13), Bennie Thompson (D-MS-02), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Derrick Van Orden (R-WI-03), Marc Veasey (D-TX-33), James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

Full text of their bipartisan comment can be found by clicking HERE and follows below:

Dear Under Secretary Kent:  

We write regarding the Department of Education’s notice of proposed rulemaking to implement the student financial aid provisions included in Public Law 119–21. As Members of Congress who have championed legislation to strengthen the nursing workforce, we write with disappointment over the Department’s decision to omit post-baccalaureate nursing degrees from the regulatory definition of “professional degree.” As such, we strongly urge you to categorize all post-baccalaureate nursing degrees (MSN, DNP, PhD) as “professional degrees.” 

Nurses comprise the largest health care workforce in the United States, with more than 5 million registered nurses nationwide, including over 500,000 advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). Nurses provide high-quality care to patients in all communities, including rural and urban areas, yet we are in the midst of a nursing workforce crisis in this country. According to the 2024 National Nursing Workforce Study, more than 138,000 nurses have left the workforce since 2022 due to stress, burnout, and retirement, and by 2029, almost 40 percent of nurses intend to leave the workforce. Post-baccalaureate prepared nurses are essential for patients to have access to high-quality health care in the United States, and for educating and providing clinical training for the next generation of nursing students. Given this trend, we have a strong interest in bolstering the nursing workforce, and the nursing faculty that educate them. This support extends to legislation and regulations that will make it easier for nurses to enter the field. 

The Department’s interpretation of the term “professional degree” will make it more difficult for nurses to join the health care workforce because the Department explicitly said that a Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) or a Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) would not satisfy the “professional degree” definition. This will make it harder for nursing students to access the loans that they need. Moreover, it is important to note that the original regulation cited by Congress, which the Department recognizes, describes a professional degree as a degree that “signifies both completion of the academic requirements for beginning practice in a given profession and a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree.” That regulation also states that “professional licensure is also generally required.” Post-baccalaureate nursing degrees satisfy these criteria, as all APRNs must have a graduate degree, such as an MSN or a DNP, and require national certification and state licensure to practice. 

The Department also omits nursing from its definition of a “professional degree” due to its troubling explanation that degrees that may be required under state law to have a supervisory agreement or relationship with another licensed professional cannot be professional degrees. However, this particular characterization goes far beyond how professional students are defined in § 685.102 and the definition of “professional degree” in § 668.2 as intended by Congress. According to that definition, students must possess “a level of professional skill beyond that normally required for a bachelor’s degree.” These qualifications are clearly satisfied by an MSN, a DNP, a PhD in nursing. The additional limits the proposed rule places on health professionals are arbitrary and unprecedented. 

Furthermore, this new proposed limit to exclude professions that may be required under state law to have a supervisory agreement or relationship with another provider was never part of discussions by the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee. Similarly, when defining the term “professional student,” the text of H.R. 1 pointed to “section 668.2 of title 34, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on the date of enactment of this paragraph).” That regulation gives specific examples of a professional degree but explicitly says that those examples “include but are not limited to” a list of professions. Congress specifically pointed to a broader regulation, but the Department has circumvented the text of H.R. 1 by including a fixed list of degrees rather than a larger group or a recognition that these examples “include but are not limited to,” as Congress intended.  

Post-baccalaureate nursing students also have a demonstrated need to access the higher borrowing limits for professional degrees set in Public Law 119–21. The law states that students earning professional degrees may borrow up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 aggregate, in contrast to students earning graduate degrees, whose borrowing limits are capped at $20,500 annually and $100,000 aggregate. In a recent survey on the impact of federal loan limits on post-baccalaureate nursing education, 81% of nursing students surveyed indicated that the $100,000 aggregate federal loan cap will negatively impact their ability to finance their education.

Similarly, the current graduate level loan cap would not meet the need of most Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) programs, which can cost over $200,000, thereby restricting the pipeline of CRNAs and further limiting an anesthesia workforce that is suffering from shortages across all provider types. For example, a recent survey of nurses showed that 75% of those surveyed reported that CRNA education would no longer be financially feasible under the new loan caps. CRNA programs have shown to be a critical return on investment, with default rates near zero percent, and a workforce that overwhelmingly provides anesthesia to rural and underserved communities where higher cost physicians do not practice. 

In addition, many post-baccalaureate nursing programs hit the annual limit of $20,500, including some programs that may be under the aggregate limit. For instance, many nurse practitioner and other post-baccalaureate academic programs operate year-round across three full-time semesters, as opposed to the traditional two-semester academic calendar, and thus cost more than $20,500 per year. A recent survey also found that 82% of nursing students reported that the $20,500 annual loan limit would negatively affect their ability to finance their education. These same students reported an average annual cost of approximately $38,500, nearly double the new annual graduate borrowing cap. Classifying these programs as graduate programs would result in these students having to take out additional student loans to cover the remainder of their tuition, which will limit the ability for students to complete their advanced degree. 

At a time when our nation is facing a health care shortage, especially in primary care, now is not the time to cut off the student pipeline to these programs. According to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC), fifty-seven percent of Medicare beneficiaries received a primary care service from an NP or physician associate (PA), and sixty-six percent of rural Medicare patients received a primary care service from an NP or PA. Consequently, we believe that post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be included in the department’s definition of a “professional degree.”

Nurses and nurse faculty make up the backbone of our health system, and post-baccalaureate nursing degrees lead to demonstrated outcomes, with a recent study from the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity showing that nursing was one of the top three master’s degrees for return on investment. As such, post-baccalaureate nursing degrees should be treated equally to other accredited post-baccalaureate health profession degrees. 

Thank you for your attention to this matter, and we implore you to work with us to improve and expand the nursing workforce across the country.

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

Ruling Reaffirms the Right and Duty of All Members of Congress to Conduct Unannounced Inspections Amid Alarming Reports of Abuse

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 President’s strikes against Iran:

“In the dead of night, President Trump started an unauthorized, unconstitutional war with Iran. As a combat veteran, I know the terrible realities of war and I am deeply opposed to any unprovoked strikes carried out without Congressional authorization — authorization that is explicitly required by our constitution.

“America is going into this war alone with Israel and this president is putting U.S. troops and the entire region at risk. Not to mention the President told our nation that he destroyed Iran’s nuclear program completely last year, and is now citing the need to destroy Iran’s nuclear program as an excuse for his latest strikes. Either he was lying then, or he is lying now. We won’t go to war in the Middle East over lies once again. 

“I demand that Speaker Johnson re-convene the House and hold a vote to put every single member on record and to pass a War Powers resolution to stop this war. It’s unacceptable that members are home in their districts when we should be on the House floor taking action now.”

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

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) awarded $1 million in Community Project Funding to By The Hand Club for Kids, a free holistic after-school care organization dedicated to critical violence intervention and prevention. As part of the Altgeld Gardens Youth Entrepreneurship Accountability and Empowerment Program, students plant and grow vegetables in a shipping container converted into a farm, which Rep. Kelly also toured.

“By the Hand Club for Kids provides a safe place for kids to learn, grow, and make friends. They’re able to see the positive impact and power they have to change their community and beyond,” said Rep. Kelly. “I’m thrilled that my office was able to bring home $1 million in federal funds to help foster this program. Our children are not just our future – they’re our leaders right here and now.”

“Over the last decade I’ve heard the dreams of our students and watched them work towards living those dreams,” said Chantria Morris, coach at By The Hand Club for Kids. 
“Thanks to this investment from Congresswoman Kelly, many more young people will be able to actualize their dreams and be leaders of change in our community.” 
“By The Hand has changed my life—giving me purpose, new skills, leadership opportunities and a network of support,” said Shania Pickett, 12th grade student at By The Hand Club for Kids. “This investment is so important in Altgeld Gardens because young people here often lack resources for new opportunities. I’m so excited for more kids to have the same opportunities I’ve had. Thank you, Congresswoman Kelly, we appreciate you investing in us.” 

“Being in By The Hand has helped me become a better person, a better communicator and an advocate for what I believe in,” said Vernell Daniel, 11th grade student at the organization. “By The Hand is more than an afterschool program, it’s a family to me. In Altgeld Gardens we need better opportunities and alternatives to gang life for the chance at a better future. I am so thankful that more kids will have the same opportunities I’ve had.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“I’m beyond thrilled to announce that I was able to secure more than $1 million in federal funding for FAU to purchase Focused Ultrasound Technology for their new NeuroInnovate Center. Whether it’s from personal experience, or through a friend or family member, so many of us are touched by chronic diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, brain cancers, or addiction. But armed with science, we are not defenseless against them, and the focused ultrasound technology at this NeuroInnovate Center will be one of the powerful weapons in our fight,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Funding research and advances like this are always difficult, yet the threats to that work, at the federal level, are the worst they’ve ever been in my lifetime. And all my years on the House Appropriations Committee have taught me how to ensure the work of the greater good can be, and should be, done right here at home.”

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

WASHINGTON – Today, the Maryland Congressional Delegation – U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks and U.S. Representatives Andy Harris, Steny Hoyer, Kweisi Mfume, Sarah Elfreth, Johnny Olsewski, Jamie Raskin, Glenn Ivey, and April McClain Delaney – expressed support for the State of Maryland’s request for an evaluation of the Maryland oyster fishery for eligibility for a fishery resource disaster designation, and urged U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick to exercise his authority to approve fishery disaster assistance for the Maryland oyster fishery. In their letter, the lawmakers highlighted the adverse weather and market conditions that watermen have faced this year, resulting in a steep decline in the oyster harvest coupled with a significant drop in oyster prices – threatening their livelihoods.

“We write to you as the Maryland Congressional Delegation to urge your favorable consideration of the request from Maryland Governor Wes Moore to conduct an evaluation of the Maryland oyster fishery for eligibility for fishery resource disaster assistance as authorized by the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, as amended by the Fishery Resource Disasters Improvement Act,” Team Maryland began. “Given recent challenges facing the industry – including icy conditions due to the unseasonably cold winter season, recent fishery closures resulting from the Potomac River sewage spill, and overall challenging market conditions – we urge you to declare a fishery disaster and approve fishery resource disaster assistance for the Maryland oyster fishery as soon as possible.”

Underscoring the harmful consequences of these difficult conditions, the lawmakers wrote, “as compared with a five-year average of commercial landings, data from January of 2026 shows a concerning 44% decline in oyster harvest with continued depressed levels of harvest expected this year, while the dockside value of a bushel of oysters has dropped by 66%.”

Regarding the important role of the oyster industry in Maryland’s economy and culture, they continued, “the Maryland oyster fishery is of economic importance to the state, with millions of dollars of commercial landings every year that bolster the Maryland food service and tourism economies, while providing critical income for Maryland watermen. Maryland oysters are also a cornerstone of the rich Chesapeake Bay heritage and are a source of pride for the state, underscoring the importance of the continued operation of the commercial oyster fishery.”

Text of the letter can be viewed here and below.

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

WASHINGTON — The office of Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) is now accepting applications for Community Project Funding (CPF) for the 2027 Fiscal Year. 

As part of the annual appropriations process, eligible entities may submit applications to their members of Congress for project-specific funding. Recently, Golden secured nearly $14 million in the most recent appropriations process, including CPF to support: 

• improvements to support working waterfronts;
• investments that reduce pressure on property taxes, such as wastewater treatment facilities; and
• modernization and new equipment for emergency responders such as police and fire departments.  

Eligible applicants this year may include but are not limited to state and municipal governments and their agencies, colleges and universities, and certain types of nonprofit organizations. 

Interested parties should visit Golden’s website for more information about the types of projects and organizations that are eligible this year, or email Deputy District Director Zach Schmesser at GoldenCPF@mail.house.gov with any questions. All applications must be received by 4 p.m. on March 11, 2026.

Golden for years has been one of the most effective members of Congress in securing funding for projects in his district. In FY 2024, Golden secured more than $25 million of CPF — the most of any Democrat in Congress. 

“Helping worthwhile projects get the funding they need is one of the most direct ways I can support our District, and my staff and I are more than happy to chat through any proposals that could benefit Mainers,” Golden said. “If you have any ideas or questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to learn more about the CPF application process. We’re here to help.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) and Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) are leading members of Congress in demanding immediate action from the Trump Administration after retirees across the country reported they never received their required Form 1099-R tax documents from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and were unable to reach live assistance to resolve the issue. When OPM fails to deliver required tax documents or provide live assistance, retirees are left at risk of filing late, incurring IRS penalties, or losing access to refunds they rely on to cover everyday expenses.

 

In a letter to Trump’s OPM Director Scott Kupor, the lawmakers pressed for answers after constituents said they did not receive their Form 1099-R, the document required to report federal retirement income, despite OPM’s stated policy that physical copies would be mailed to annuitants without an email address on file after January 31.

 

“It is unacceptable for the federal agency responsible for the tax documentation of millions of retired Americans to fall short in providing timely, reliable service to all of them. We strongly urge you to address this serious gap in support and ensure that every impacted retiree can obtain the documents they need to file their taxes,” the lawmakers wrote.

 

Constituents report waiting well beyond the two-week delivery window communicated by OPM. Many who attempted to contact the agency’s Retirement Services helpline encountered jammed phone lines, excessive wait times, or were unable to reach a representative at all.

 

In their letter, the members requested detailed information on how many 1099-R forms remain unmailed, current call wait times, customer service performance metrics, and what corrective actions OPM plans to implement.

 

The letter is also signed by Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald S. Beyer, Jr. (VA-08), J. Louis Correa (CA-46), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10).

 

Full text of the letter is here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the start of Women’s History Month, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a resolution calling on the Senate to ratify the United Nations’ Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW). The Convention establishes an agenda for national action to end discrimination against women and ensure the advancement of women in political, social, economic and cultural fields through legislative action and legal protections. It was adopted by the U.N. General Assembly in 1979 and signed by President Jimmy Carter in 1980 but has never been brought before the full Senate for a vote.

Currently, 189 U.N. member states have ratified the Convention. The United States joins Iran, Palau, Somalia, Sudan and Tonga as the only members of the United Nations who have yet to ratify the Convention. In light of the Senate’s inaction, dozens of U.S. cities, counties and states have passed resolutions in support of the Convention’s ratification. D.C. enacted the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women Act in accordance with the principles of the Convention.

“As the first woman to chair the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I understand firsthand the profound impact ratifying the Convention would have,” Norton said. “During my tenure, I issued the first federal guidelines recognizing sexual harassment as a violation of equal employment laws. Ratification would strengthen the legal foundation for combating gender discrimination in our courts and demonstrate to the world that the United States is fully committed to ending gender discrimination.

“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to finally ratify this important Convention. It is long overdue.”

Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Rep. Frederica Wilson (D-FL) are original cosponsors of the resolution. 

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