Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) announced the names of 17 Fifth District students appointed to the United States Service Academies. The students, nominated by Congressman Hoyer, received appointments to the Air Force Academy, the Naval Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, and the Military Academy at West Point. All of the service academies require a nomination from an authorized nominating source.

Congressman Hoyer with some of the students that received appointments.
 

“I am pleased to congratulate 17 students from Maryland’s Fifth District for their appointments to the United States Service Academies this year,” said Congressman Hoyer. “These students embody the character we expect from our men and women in uniform – a sense of duty, moral devotion, and principled conviction. I am thankful to their families for raising such bright leaders, and I join in wishing them the best of luck in their future military careers.”

The following Fifth District students received appointments:

U.S. Military Academy (West Point)
Campbell Gelineau, Anne Arundel County
Makenzie Brewer, Anne Arundel County
Mackenzie Tokar, Charles County
Chase Clark, Prince George’s County
Nelson Deandrade, Prince George’s County

U.S. Air Force Academy
Luke Dipietro, Anne Arundel County
Lauren Grace Compton, Charles County
Alanna Francis, Prince George’s County
Chikamdi Okeakpu, Prince George’s County

U.S. Naval Academy
Morgan Bujac, Anne Arundel County
Chloe Haseltine, Anne Arundel County
Michael Sohn, Anne Arundel County
Clint Newnam, Calvert County
Saunette Sanderson, Charles County
Hunter-Robins Mann, St. Mary’s County
Emily Maury, St. Mary’s County

U.S. Coast Guard Academy
William Clay, St. Mary’s County

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks in support of the amendment by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09) regarding the United States’ contribution to the infrastructure of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) during the House Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY26 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Bill and Subcommittee Allocations. Below is a video and transcript of his remarks:
 

Click here for a full video of his remarks.

“Chairman, I rise in strong support of the administration’s judgment. Do any of you care? This is an important amendment. This is not just a throwaway. [Neville] Chamberlain thought his actions were just a throwaway, maybe buy some time. I wear this pin every day. I think America’s freedom; I think democracy’s success is at stake.

“Many of you have fought in the military, and had we met the enemy strongly at the beginning, we may never have had the fight. That’s what ‘peace through strength’ means. Strength is not retreating in the face of your enemy. Strength is not saying, ‘We’ll give up Eastern Ukraine.’ Strength is not saying, ‘We’ll give up, Crimea.’ Strength is not saying, ‘Whatever you want to do, Mr. Putin, you go ahead and do.’ In this case, the administration has said, as Ms. Pingree has pointed out, ‘We’re going to keep our NATO commitments as we expect you to do, and as 23 of the 28 NATO nations is doing.’

“This is not simply some throwaway amendment that all of you will vote no, and all of us will vote yes, and, well, we did our job. People are watching us. And some of those people live in Russia. Some of those people live in the Kremlin. Some of those people live in Iran. Some live in North Korea. Some live in China. They’re watching. Does America have the stomach to stay the course? Does America have the stomach to confront despotism and dictators, and those who steal children from countries and take them to their own? Are we unwilling? Are we unable because we’re so partisan to respond to that viewing? To say America is strong, and America will stay in with its allies, and America stands against despotism and dictatorship and aggression and criminal behavior on the international level; are we so partisan that we cannot even discuss and come to a rational judgment on that?

“I’ve had very long talks with Senator McConnell, and he and I are both very worried that we have somehow forgotten the lessons of history. Forgotten the lessons of weakness, forgotten why we say peace for strength. When I came to Congress in 1981, I supported almost every one of Ronald Reagan’s buildup of the Defense Department. Not in a partisan way, but in a nonpartisan way. John Kennedy, when I was a young man, said, ‘We have a missile gap.’ He was wrong, but what he was saying is, we’re going to keep pace. We’re going to confront our enemies. Do not believe America is going to slink away. And don’t believe America is going to give up its allies’ territory to a thief in violation of international law. Ladies and gentlemen, we are the Congress of the United States, and yes, we’re Democrats, and yes, we’re Republicans. But, by golly, I hope we remember that we are Americans first and that we are the leader of the free world and we will not sound this uncertain trumpet tonight. That maybe we’ll stick with the administration in this case and send that message to NATO, to Russia, to Iran, to North Korea, and to China. 

“America, as Ronald Reagan said, is prepared and will out compete you. Right now, the Russians in four months, in three months, excuse me, are producing more weapons, more artillery, more ordinance than all of NATO, America, and Canada combined can produce in a year. Let us not retreat. Let us stand up and say, ‘We are America, and we will not allow you to win by intimidation, by threat, by breaking international law.’ Let us stand as the world’s leader. Vote Aye.”
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025, which would enhance forest health and lower the risk posed by catastrophic wildfires by investing in prescribed fire to manage underbrush. Congresswoman Schrier is joined in introducing this bill by Representative David Valadao (CA-22). A companion bill in the United States Senate is being led by Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ted Budd (R-NC). 

“Here in Washington State, we experience devastating wildfires every year.  That’s why Congress must act now and address this issue,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “My bill, the National Prescribed Fire Act, expands the use of prescribed fire to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires.”

Wildfire season in all of the Western states has become increasingly severe. One example is the Bolt Creek Fire, which burned thousands of acres in the Eighth District. Prescribed fire is an effective, underutilized method of forest management that helps prevent catastrophic wildfires. 

The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 would:

• Dedicate funding for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior to plan, prepare, and conduct prescribed burns on federal, state, and private lands.
• Require the Forest Service and Department of Interior to increase the number of acres treated with prescribed fire.
• Establish a new collaborative program to implement prescribed burns on county, state and private land at high risk of burning in a wildfire.
• Establish a workforce development program at the Forest Service and DOI to develop, train, and hire prescribed fire practitioners, and establishes employment programs for Tribes, veterans, underutilized employees, and those formerly incarcerated.
• Facilitate coordination between land managers and state, tribal, and local air quality agencies to use current laws and regulations to allow larger prescribed burns, and give states more flexibility in winter months to conduct prescribed burns that reduce catastrophic smoke events in the summer

“In California, we understand the dangerous impact of wildfires—from damage to property to loss of life,” said Congressman Valadao. “By prescribing controlled burns to fire-adapted land in a safe and supervised way, we can limit dangerous fuel buildup and help reduce the threat of future wildfires. I’m proud to join my colleagues in re-introducing this bipartisan bill to protect our communities from wildfire risk.”

“It’s no secret that rising temperatures and increased drought are leading to more and more wildfires, and firefighters are struggling to keep up as they put their lives on the line,” said Senator Wyden. “We can no longer wait for disaster to strike before we address these fires destroying our neighborhoods and even taking people’s lives. I have heard firsthand from Oregonians who are sick and tired of inaction while the West burns. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will tackle wildfires head-on by focusing on prevention to get the West out of the cycle of crisis and devastation every wildfire season.”  

“Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, thousands of acres of North Carolina forest were left destroyed. Now, these downed trees and piles of leaves represent a serious wildfire risk,” said Senator Budd. “By enabling the Forest Service to better conduct controlled burns of unchecked vegetation and scattered debris, we can protect our forests from catastrophic wildfires that may occur in the hottest months of the year. I am proud to join my colleague, Sen. Wyden, in introducing this common-sense, proactive approach to preventing disastrous wildfires.” 

“Prescribed fire is critically important for building resilience to wildfire across America’s public lands,” said Jamie Ervin, Senior Policy Manager, Outdoor Alliance. “The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 will help increase the pace and scale of this underused tool to a level commensurate with the wildfire crisis. Outdoor Alliance commends Senator Wyden, Senator Budd, and Representative Schrier and Valadao for their work on this important legislation.”

“Beneficial fire, including prescribed fire, has historically been an underused and under-resourced tool for promoting fire-resilient landscapes, despite being among the most cost-effective land management strategies available. The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 would enable greater prescribed fire utilization by supporting workforce development and training for prescribed fire practitioners,” said Marek Smith, North America Fire Director for The Nature Conservancy. “It would also establish clear liability standards for non-federal partners engaged in essential cross-boundary mitigation work. We commend Representatives Schrier and Valadao for working to equip land managers with what they need to protect our communities and treasured landscapes.” 

“Prescribed fire is critical for maintaining healthy forests and protecting our communities from the threat of wildfire,” said National Association of State Foresters President Patty Cormier. “State Foresters applaud the bipartisan efforts of Representatives Schrier and Valadao to ensure this important forest management tool remains in the toolbox while eliminating several key barriers to safely and responsibly expanding its use across the nation’s forest landscapes.”

“Prescribed and cultural burning are the most effective, yet underutilized tools to address the nation’s wildfire crisis,” said Dylan Kruse, President of Sustainable Northwest. “This bill proposes comprehensive and practical solutions to increase safe use of beneficial fire to restore forest health, protect communities, and reduce the risk of mega-fires. Congress should act to pass it immediately.”

For more information on the legislation, click the links for a one pager and a section by section summary of the bill. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“Medicaid has been essential – providing essential care to those who need it most in the midst of a crisis or a chronic diagnosis.”

“Republicans who gave their vote and their endorsement to this horrific “Big Ugly Bill” should be ashamed. They voted against their neighbors. They voted against their constituents. They are complicit in wholesale harm.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) rallied with advocates from Caring Across Generations, Care Can’t Wait, and partner organizations to protest Trump’s and Republicans’ Big Ugly Bill that proposes disastrous cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other essential programs and would leave communities sicker, poorer, and more vulnerable. The Congresswoman made it plain that Medicaid is a lifeline, and the support it provides is critical to everyone’s livelihoods – from those care taking for their loved ones to those needing medication for chronic conditions.

A transcript of the Congresswoman’s remarks, as delivered, is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Rallies Against “Big Ugly Bill,” Demands Protection of Medicaid and Life-Saving Care

Upper Senate Park

June 11, 2025

Hey, movement family!

And we are truly one movement and one human family, and that’s why you’re all here.

When you could have been anywhere else, you chose to be here because you recognize that our freedoms and our destinies are tied.

Thank you to our advocates and our partners in good. Thank you for being here today. Thank you for never losing sight of what is necessary in the work and the fight for our shared liberation and our collective humanity.

You know, every day in Congress, I sit across the aisle from Republicans, and I’ve asked myself – since all around us is callousness, contempt for every person that calls this country home, and I’m going to say cluelessness – you know, we’ll stick with that C theme there – chaos, callousness, contempt and cluelessness.

Because I wonder if they’ve ever sat at the bedside of a loved one in their final days.

I wonder if they ever rushed a toddler to the emergency room with a fever.

These are basic human experiences: grief, worry, care, concern.

So either my colleagues across the aisle are some sort of extreme anomaly, and they’ve never experienced these moments, or they simply don’t give a damn.

Maybe they believe if the language you speak is different, or your bank account is lighter, your heart just doesn’t break the same way.

But you and I know that’s not true.

Again, we are part of one human family.

Brother James Baldwin reminds us that, “The children are always ours, every single one of them, all over the globe; and I’m beginning to suspect that whoever is incapable of recognizing that may be incapable of morality,” said Baldwin.

Well, Medicaid is a lifeline to both our elders and our babies.

It’s NICU care, it’s blood pressure medications, it’s cancer treatment.

There is no moment, in my view, more basic and human than trying to take care of and keep safe your loved ones.

In America, far too often, for far too many, we come up short.

But that is not on our caregivers. That is on a broken system. And in the midst of broken systems and broken promises, programs like SNAP, food stamps have been essential.

The difference between a family going hungry or being able to stretch those groceries until pay day.

You know, being poor is not a character flaw, and being poor is one of the hardest, most expensive – one of the hardest jobs you’ll ever have, and one of the most expensive conditions.

Medicaid has been essential – providing essential care to those who need it most in the midst of a crisis or a chronic diagnosis.

Republicans who gave their vote and their endorsement to this horrific “Big Ugly Bill” should be ashamed.

They voted against their neighbors. They voted against their constituents. They are complicit in wholesale harm.

And these programs, as I said, they are essential. They are core to the basic functions of government. We’re not talking about nice-to-haves.

We’re talking about programs that determine who lives, programs that determine who dies, programs that determine who survives, programs that determine who thrives.

But this is not an inevitability.

And this extremist march towards fascism – what history has taught us time and time again is that appeasement never works. Silence never works.

What they want is a citizenry that is ignorant and uninformed. They want a citizenry that is indifferent to the suffering of their neighbors. They want a citizenry that is inactive.

But in this moment today, we assemble, we come together to reject and resist the vision of Donald Trump’s America.

And let me just say, for those that think that you can inoculate yourself or you are exempt from this harm, this harm is coming for everyone.

Your whiteness will not keep you safe. Your wealth will not keep you safe. This hurt and harm is coming for everybody.

I just wish I had some colleagues that were more concerned with doing a job than keeping it.

That’s what has them complicit in this cult of cowards and wholesale harm because of this culture of grievance and political retribution that the occupant of the Oval Office moves with.

What happens in the weeks to come will determine the lives and livelihoods of families for decades to come.

Look, y’all, movement family – this is not just about how do we get through the next four years. This moment is going to determine and shape the next 100.

And the Senate must act accordingly and listen to the people and stop this bill in its tracks.

The consequences cannot be more severe. I’m appealing to people – this is bigger than Democrat and Republican. This is about right and wrong. This is about good and evil.

I’m appealing to people of conscience to stand united against this bill, to raise your voice and share your stories.

And to the Republicans who are all too eager to green light a handout to billionaires on the backs of the most vulnerable: if you won’t act in good faith, at least act to save your own job, because we will not forget where you stand in this moment.

The people deserve better, and we can stop this Big Ugly Bill.

So movement, family, I love you.

We won’t back down, we won’t back down, we won’t back down, we won’t back down, we won’t back down, we won’t back down.

I love you, movement family.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“From my home in the Massachusetts 7^th… to Los Angeles, where Donald Trump sent the National Guard and Marines to descend on justice-seeking peaceful protestors – the hurt and harm of this hostile White House is felt by us all.”

“We need solidarity and resistance and a rejection in this moment of these attacks on our immigrant communities. An attack on our immigrant communities is an attack on all of us.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, in a fiery floor speech, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) delivered a blistering condemnation of Donald Trump’s campaign of terror against immigrant communities, which have inflicted unspeakable trauma on families across the nation and done nothing to make our country safer.

In her remarks, Congresswoman shared heartbreaking stories of families in the Massachusetts 7th impacted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) unlawful raids, condemned Trump’s deployment of the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles, and called for urgent solidarity with our immigrant neighbors.

A full transcript of her remarks as delivered is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: On House Floor, Pressley Condemns Trump’s ICE Raids, Calls for Solidarity with Immigrant Neighbors

House of Representatives

June 11, 2025

Mr. Chair,

I rise today on behalf of our neighbors and community members, immigrants, our immigrant brothers and sisters who are being targeted and abducted, taken from their homes, torn away from their babies, disappeared on their way to church, work, and to school.

Children crying in their teachers’ arms, families separated, communities traumatized. If they’ve not already been kidnapped, fearful that they will be.

Children crying in their teachers’ arms afraid that they’re going to come home and their parents will be gone.

Elders carrying all of their medications with them in their comings and goings for fear of being abducted and sent somewhere without access to necessary healthcare.

We see a spike in no-shows and cancellations in health clinics as patients would rather miss critical care than risk detainment.

We see young parents and grandparents alike attending their immigration court hearings, eager to officially call this country home, only to be met with handcuffs and shoved into cars by masked ICE individuals.

This is Donald Trump’s America.

But these are real people. Hardworking people whose labor and contributions make our communities a better place.

Young people who show up every day in our schools as part of our learning communities.

These are mothers and fathers working overtime to provide for their children.

In my district, the Massachusetts 7th, my Chelsea constituent Kenia and her three children were driving to a Mother’s Day church service with her husband Daniel when ICE agents in unmarked vehicles ambushed them, broke the passenger’s side window, forcefully extracted Daniel from the car, and slammed his face on the sidewalk while their three watched on in horror.

And in East Boston, my constituent Mercedes and her son are struggling after her husband Jose was arrested at work and detained for two days at an ICE facility in Burlington.

Jose was living here legally with Temporary Protected Status but was told by the ICE agents who detained him that “only people born here have rights.”

These are real people. Real people – children and adults alike – traumatized, whose lives have been disturbed, upended, and irreparably harmed.

Donald Trump and ICE claim that they are committing this assault on our communities in the name of safety.

Terror makes no one safe. It does the opposite. It sows chaos, it breeds fear, and it fosters unrest.

From my home in the Massachusetts 7th – where mothers have wept on my shoulder, pleading for their husbands to come home, for their families to be reunited – to Los Angeles, where Donald Trump sent the National Guard and Marines to descend on justice-seeking peaceful protestors – the hurt and harm of this hostile White House is felt by us all.

This has nothing to do with law and order. That is laughable coming from the most Godless, lawless Oval Office occupant in our history.

This has everything to do with power and control.

Deploying the National Guard without a governor’s approval, taking unwarranted and unprecedented action against peaceful justice-seekers and freedom fighters.

We must see our neighbor’s humanity in this moment.

Yet across the country, occupant Trump is working overtime to be a fascist dictator, to weaponize our government against its own people, to sow fear and chaos, to silence dissenting voices in our communities, at our colleges, in the courts and in fact, even in Congress.

These actions are lawless – a complete violation of our constitutional rights to due process – void of common sense and compassion.

Know this, for those of you watching at home, who might be tempted to think that this is not your problem:

An extremist march towards fascism is everyone’s problem. Trust me, if you’re not already suffering, you will be.

And we need solidarity and resistance and a rejection in this moment of these attacks on our immigrant communities.

An attack on our immigrant communities is an attack on all of us.

As a woman of faith, my God tells me to welcome the stranger. Do not be indifferent to the suffering of your neighbors.

Immigrants make our country a better place. Immigrants make America great. And our immigrant brothers and sisters deserve to call this country home.

I yield back.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congresswoman Kim Schrier (WA-08) to re-introduce the National Prescribed Fire Act. This bipartisan bill would support prescribed burns as an essential, cost-effective strategy to save lives and property while addressing the harmful impacts of wildfires across the nation. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Ted Budd (R-NC) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

“In California, we understand the dangerous impact of wildfires—from damage to property to loss of life,” said Congressman Valadao. “By prescribing controlled burns to fire-adapted land in a safe and supervised way, we can limit dangerous fuel buildup and help reduce the threat of future wildfires. I’m proud to join my colleagues in re-introducing this bipartisan bill to protect our communities from wildfire risk.”

“Here in Washington State, we experience devastating wildfires every year.  That’s why Congress must act now and address this issue,” said Rep. Schrier. “My bill, the National Prescribed Fire Act, expands the use of prescribed fire to lower the risk of catastrophic wildfires.”

“It’s no secret that rising temperatures and increased drought are leading to more and more wildfires, and firefighters are struggling to keep up as they put their lives on the line,” said Senator Wyden. “We can no longer wait for disaster to strike before we address these fires destroying our neighborhoods and even taking people’s lives. I have heard firsthand from Oregonians who are sick and tired of inaction while the West burns. Our bipartisan, bicameral bill will tackle wildfires head-on by focusing on prevention to get the West out of the cycle of crisis and devastation every wildfire season.”  

“Following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, thousands of acres of North Carolina forest were left destroyed,” said Senator Budd. “Now, these downed trees and piles of leaves represent a serious wildfire risk. By enabling the Forest Service to better conduct controlled burns of unchecked vegetation and scattered debris, we can protect our forests from catastrophic wildfires that may occur in the hottest months of the year. I am proud to join my colleague, Sen. Wyden, in introducing this common-sense, proactive approach to preventing disastrous wildfires.”

The National Prescribed Fire Act would:

• Authorize $300 million total for the Forest Service and the Department of the Interior (DOI) to plan, prepare, and conduct prescribed burns on federal, state, and private lands.
• Require the Forest Service and DOI to increase the number of acres treated with prescribed fire.
• Establish a $10 million program to implement prescribed burns on county, state, and private land at high risk of burning in a wildfire.
• Establish a workforce development program at the Forest Service and DOI to develop, train, and hire prescribed fire practitioners, and establishes employment programs for Tribes, veterans, women, and those formerly incarcerated.
• Require state air quality agencies to use current laws and regulations to allow larger prescribed burns and gives states more flexibility in winter months to conduct prescribed burns that help avoid heavy wildfire smoke in the summer.
• Set clear standards for prescribed fire practitioner liability and study the merits of a claims fund to help cross-jurisdictional wildfire prevention efforts.

Background:

In 2024, wildfires burned more than one million acres of land in California. As vegetation continues to grow, the Forest Service has struggled to keep up with the backlog of hazardous fuels—especially as fire seasons become hotter, drier, and more destructive. The National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 would help reduce wildfire risk by investing in hazardous fuels management and expanding the use of prescribed burns during cooler, wetter months. The bill also strengthens the prescribed fire workforce and provides new tools to support smoke management and permitting, making it easier to conduct controlled burns in winter and prevent catastrophic wildfires and smoke in the summer.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar announced $5,306,794 in grant funding for the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health to expand access to and improve HIV prevention, early intervention and treatment services for underserved communities in San Bernardino County. 
“Everyone in our community deserves access to quality health care and treatment options to prevent the devastating effects of HIV,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “This grant funding represents a significant step forward in expanding early intervention and treatment services across San Bernardino County, bringing us closer to ending this disease and ensuring no one is left behind.”
“Securing funding through the HIV Emergency Relief Project Grants and the Ending the HIV Epidemic Program represents a major advancement in San Bernardino County’s efforts to address HIV prevention, care, and treatment. These funds will enable the Department of Public Health and community partners to expand access to critical medical and support services, enhance testing and prevention efforts, and ensure individuals living with or at risk of HIV receive the comprehensive care they need. We are deeply committed to improving health access, strengthening our public health infrastructure, and making measurable progress in ending the HIV epidemic within our communities,” said Josh Dugas, Director of the San Bernardino County Department of Public Health.
The funding comes as part of four grant awards secured under the Biden-Harris Administration from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Health Resources & Services Administration. Included in the funding is $2,444,965 from the FY25 HIV Emergency Relief Project Grant Program, $1,076,917 from the FY25 Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, $122,744 from the FY25 Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part C Early Intervention Services (EIS) Grant Program and $1,662,168 from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program.  Rep. Aguilar serves as Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer where they urged House Republicans to use their second chance to do the right thing and stop the GOP Tax Scam.  

LEADER JEFFRIES: It’s an honor and a privilege to be joined today by Leader Chuck Schumer. We’ve been working closely with Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats in a unified way to stop the Republican One Big, Ugly Bill from ever becoming law. Later on today on the House Floor, Republicans will have an opportunity to stop the GOP Tax Scam and address the concerns that have been raised by dozens of House Republicans with respect to the damage that the One Big, Ugly Bill will do to everyday Americans. The GOP Tax Scam represents the largest assault on healthcare in American history. More than 16 million Americans will lose access to healthcare in the United States of America as a result of the One Big, Ugly Bill. Hospitals will close, nursing homes will shut down and people will die because they’ll lose access to the medical care that they need. Tens of millions of additional Americans will pay higher premiums, co-pays and deductibles.

There are more than a dozen House Republicans who have indicated that they don’t support cutting Medicaid for the people that they represent. Those House Republicans have a chance to stop this bill from even being sent over to the United States Senate by voting no on the rule today. Other House Republicans have indicated that they don’t support the cuts to the clean energy tax credits that have generated jobs and economic opportunity in their communities. Yet somehow, mysteriously, they voted for the One Big, Ugly Bill a few weeks ago. But now, these House Republicans have the ability to stop the GOP Tax Scam from being sent over to the United States Senate.

It’s strange to me that you have Republicans who voted for a bill that they apparently disliked, and then publicly sent a letter to their Senate Republican colleagues to say, stop these provisions from ever becoming law. I mean, that’s the height of irresponsibility. Vote yes and then hope for the best. No, you have a job to do in the House of Representatives, and now you have a second chance to actually stop this One Big, Ugly Bill and the provisions that you disagree with, whether that’s the cuts to Medicaid or the cuts to clean energy tax credits, or the prohibition against regulating artificial intelligence across all 50 states or the aggressive overreach that many Republicans have complained about in terms of trying to strip away the ability of federal courts to issue contempt orders against an out-of-control executive branch. Every single one of those Republicans, dozens of them, now have an opportunity to actually act responsibly. Vote no against the rule that will be on the Floor of the House and stop the GOP Tax Scam from even going over to the United States Senate. I’m thankful again for the leadership and presence of Chuck Schumer. It’s now my honor to yield to him.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) grilled Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on reports that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is creating a massive government database with Americans’ sensitive personal information.

Bessent refused to answer whether he supported the central government database and could not explain how he would protect the financial and tax data of millions of Americans fed into it from abuse or a data breach.

The video can be found here, and the transcript is below.

DelBene: Mr. Secretary, do you support the government having a consolidated database containing Americans’ sensitive financial health and personal information?

Bessent: I support protecting Americans –

DelBene: Do you support the consolidated database?

Bessent: I support protecting Americans’ personal –

DelBene: So, I think it’s very concerning that you’re not able to say, “No.” This is not a partisan question. In fact, just last week, Republican Representative Warren Davidson responded to reports that DOGE is merging huge sets of data from across federal agencies into a centralized repository. He said, “It’s dangerous when you start combining all those data points on an individual into one database. It’s a power that history says will eventually be abused.” While I could not agree more and would also add that this kind of database would be a gold mine for malicious actors who are eager to exploit American sensitive data. Mr. Secretary, Section 6103 sets forth the confidentiality and disclosure rules for tax returns and tax information. Just because DOGE wants to compile people’s sensitive information into one place, doesn’t mean the confidentiality rules go away. Is that correct?

Bessent: We adhere to 6103.

DelBene: So, it seems like you know that should be a simple one too. We should absolutely be clear that the confidentiality rules did not go away. In fact, earlier in this hearing, you asserted that the Treasury Department is following, I think you said, the proper provisions within the Privacy Act, all proper provisions within the Privacy Act, and Section 6103. So, my question for you is, how can we be sure that’s happening? I mean, especially knowing that the President illegally fired 18 inspectors general, including Treasury – Acting Treasury IG Sherpa. How do we know? I’m sorry, you’re just – you saying that isn’t good enough. We’re an oversight body. How do we know?

Bessent: Again, I will say that we are following the law and that –

DelBene: But we need – that’s not good enough, Mr. Secretary. We should have officials within Treasury coming. We should – this is a statement to my colleagues on the other –

Bessent: I’m here today –

DelBene: But you’re not answering how we know that. You’re just saying we are.

Bessent: What would an acceptable answer be to how do we know?

DelBene: Let’s bring them, let’s bring people who are building a database. Let’s go through the details of exactly what you are doing with that data. What protections are in place that we should have hearings doing that. In fact, we requested hearings on this from our partners on the other side of the aisle, refused to bring people from DOGE, et cetera into this committee, so we can be sure that consolidated a database –

Bessent: A judge in the Southern District of New York has ruled that all of our protocols are –

DelBene: Mr. Secretary. We are a co-equal branch of government. We are the oversight body. I’m answering – I asked that question because it is part of my job not to have you just say it. So let’s look at it. I think because we actually have the authority to get that detail. We are oversight. We are not just here to have you say, don’t worry about it. We are here to get detail. And I want you to be clear that it helps – This is a risk to the American people. This is sensitive personal information. There is no clarity on how this is being protected. Early on in this administration, people are given access to information with no controls. We have not had folks come into hearings. That’s not good enough, Mr. Secretary, and I’m supportive of making sure that we are using technology in smart ways. I’m also very supportive of making sure that we are protecting people’s personal information and we are following the law. 6103 is clear, and there is no and now this consolidation, there’s no approval on how this consolidation takes place. And you can’t even be clear to me that you that you know you’re – about where you stand in terms of making that happening. So I don’t think we’re getting the information.

Bessent: So, Representative, maybe it did not filter up to you, but we provided a staff-level briefing several weeks ago.

DelBene: Then let’s bring folks – I want to ask the questions. Frankly, it’s not about whether or not you had a staff-level brief. Let’s bring experts to answer detailed questions in this body, so that we get those answers. You know, I have a technology background. I’m happy to have those detailed conversations of exactly who’s given access, how that access is given, and how we are making sure that information is protected. We absolutely have to make sure that there are no violations there are the right protocols put in place. We have no data to say that. We just have, you’d say, just, trust me, it’s okay. That’s not good enough.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a Ways & Means Committee hearing featuring U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Wednesday in Washington, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) highlighted the importance of passing the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” in order to avoid a tax increase on American families and small businesses.

“Current tax rates are set to expire at the end of the year. If we don’t pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, hardworking American taxpayers would see their taxes increase. We cannot let that happen,” said Rep. Kelly. “This legislation makes tax cuts permanent and creates much-needed certainty for American families and small businesses.”

“The One Big Beautiful Bill will make the 2017 tax cuts permanent. This will provide individuals and businesses with certainty and build economic momentum. The legislation is squarely aimed at boosting the working and middle class and reinvigorating American manufacturing,” said Sec. Bessent in prepared remarks.

You can watch a clip of Rep. Kelly’s exchange with Sec. Bessent here.

BACKGROUND

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act makes permanent the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts and includes critical pro-growth policies that will cut taxes by an additional $1,300 for a family of four and deliver higher wages and incomes for millions of Americans. A recent report from the Council of Economic Advisers shows the legislation will produce up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a typical family and up to $11,600 more in wages for American workers.

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Is Pro-Growth Tax Policy
Permanent extension of the Trump tax cuts, alongside additional pro-growth policies, will fuel a resurgence in economic growth:

• America’s real gross domestic product (GDP) to increase by an estimated 5.2 percent over the next four years and 3.5 percent in the long term.
• 9.8 to 14.5 percent boost in investment in the next four years and a 4.9 to 7.5 percent boost in long-term investment.
• 6.6 to 7.4 million full-time jobs saved or created in the next four years and 4.2 million saved or created in the long term.

FACT SHEET: The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Fuels America’s Economic Growth

The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Makes Families & Workers Thrive Again

• Makes the 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent – protecting the average taxpayer from a 22 percent tax hike.
• Saves the average American family from a $1,700 tax hike – the equivalent of 9 weeks of groceries.
• Delivers an additional $1,300 tax cut for the average American family.
  — Delivers up to $11,600 in higher wages per worker.
  — Delivers up to $13,300 more in take-home pay for a family with two children.
• Delivers on President Trump’s priorities of no tax on tips, overtime pay, car loan interest, and tax relief for seniors that will put more money annually in the pockets of millions of Americans:
  — Up to $1,750 for overtime workers.
  — $1,700 for tipped workers.
  — Up to $450 for seniors.
• Locks in and boosts the doubled Child Tax Credit for more than 40 million families and provides additional tax relief for American families.
• Preserves and increases the doubled guaranteed deduction for 91 percent of all taxpayers.
• Expands 529 education savings accounts to empower American families and students to choose the education that best fits their needs, whether it is K-12 materials or obtaining a postsecondary trades credential.
• Supports working families by expanding access to childcare and making permanent the paid leave tax credit.
• Puts American families in control of their health care by expanding health savings accounts and cementing into law a Trump Administration policy that offers more choice and flexibility for health coverage options.
• Starts building financial security for America’s children at birth with the creation of new savings accounts.