Author: MIL-OSI Publisher

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Taxpayers are not receiving the return on investment promised by the injection of billions of dollars to supposedly modernize the IRS and improve customer service from the Democrats’ so-called Inflation Reduction Act. Expert witnesses, several with experience working with the IRS and tax agencies from around the world to modernize technology processes and systems, testified at a Ways and Means Oversight Subcommittee hearing that the IRS needs to prioritize helping taxpayers navigate their tax filings instead of pursuing unnecessary and invasive audits. Despite receiving $4.8 billion in funding for IT modernization, the IRS was recently given a “D” grade on modernization by the National Taxpayers Union. Instead of taking advantage of efficiencies offered by new technology, Democrats chose to allocate the majority of the $80 billion they gave the IRS to hire agents to hit more working families with audits. During the hearing, one major issue with the IRS’s modernization efforts became clear: the agency still operates on outdated legacy systems, including some that date back to 1959, wasting time and resources and making taxpayer data vulnerable to security risks. 

Democrats and the Biden Administration promised that more money for enforcement would lead to greater tax revenue flowing into the IRS based on rosy estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that have predictably failed to materialize. Similar to other CBO projections, revenue estimates of the IRS’s enforcement funding have not met expectations. Through the end of 2024, the IRS has brought in 56 percent less in revenues than was originally projected by CBO.  IRS Modernization Could Help Answer Mom’s Tax Filing Questions   Even after Democrats showered the IRS with billions to supposedly improve customer service, a lousy 31 percent of phone calls were answered by a live human during the last tax filing season. Instead of hiring tens of thousands of new agents to audit more workers, the IRS should be leveraging new technologies, like artificial intelligence, to drastically improve customer service at the agency. A witness who has helped modernize tax agencies around the world testified that it would be relatively seamless for the IRS to start adopting these technologies.    
Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-01): “Even with the stepped up funding…from a press release from the IRS itself during the tax season, only 31 percent of the phone calls were actually being answered…So my mom calls, bless her soul, and an IRS chat bot stays on the phone, helps you fill out the form, maybe sends you a text message of the YouTube video of how to do the form, maybe a PDF if you don’t have the form; instead of a world where only 31 percent of the phone calls are being answered. I have the whole statistics here of how many of the responses are actually not accurate on those calls. How difficult would that type of outreach technologically be?”   Minesh Ladwa, tax administration expert: “I don’t think it’s that difficult…You can absolutely guide and do it effectively, as long as you know exactly who the taxpayer is and what they’re trying to file based upon their previous history, or them as an individual. It’s not that hard.”   Congressional Budget Office Swings and Misses (Over and Over Again) Repeatedly, CBO estimates have misjudged and failed to accurately project the fiscal price tag of major pieces of legislation passed by Congress. Notably, CBO projections for revenue following the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts were $1.5 trillion lower than actual revenue. Alternatively, the actual tax revenues generated from the IRS’s $80 billion handout from the Inflation Reduction Act were far less than what CBO assumed – 56 percent less than what was projected. These repeated failures to provide accurate fiscal scores of legislation have led to a crisis of confidence in future estimates from CBO.    
Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08): “The Congressional Budget Office has a track record of wildly missing the mark when it comes to projecting economic and fiscal outcomes. In 2022, Democrats gave the IRS an $80 billion windfall that CBO initially projected would bring in $200 billion in revenue. Not surprisingly, the CBO has been proven wrong again in this point, the IRS has missed CBO initial revenue projection from enhanced IRS resources by 56 percent which adds up to billions of dollars. Mr. Dublois, you are dead right, dead on with the failures of Joint Tax and CBO, because they work hand in glove when it comes to tax policy. Whether it’s the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 or whether it was the Inflation Reduction Act, they were off by hundreds of billions, and in some cases, trillions of dollars in their scores. If we as lawmakers have to make decisions based on CBO and Joint Tax’s analysis, you bet it better be right. And it hasn’t been…Based on your previous research related to CBO projections and government funding, why do you think CBO has been so incorrect on their projections?”   Hayden Dublois, federal budget expert: “I think you’re exactly right, specifically regarding their accuracy on the Inflation Reduction Act and the enhanced enforcement efforts. I think it’s pretty clear CBO dramatically overstated the efficiency of the IRS. It’s readily apparent when considering the estimated ROI they had for the enhanced enforcement effort returns compared to the actual ROI, which is off by a factor of six fold just for fiscal year 2024. The actual ROI is less than one meaning for every $1 in revenue gained through the enhanced enforcement efforts, the IRS has already spent more than $1 to gain that…I know you’ve spoken to this in the past, under CBO’s broken model, if Congress were to rescind this slush fund to the IRS, they would assume that the deficit would increase. In reality, it’s pretty clear that an $80 billion fund of the IRS isn’t all that helpful towards deficit reduction and the early results seem to suggest that. I would add more broadly, as I mentioned in my testimony, I think CBO does contain an implicit bias of underestimating the costs of increasing the size of government and overstating the costs associated with tax relief…I think these errors reflect this implicit bias that requires on CBO’s part, some serious self-reflection in order to make sure we don’t make the same mistakes again in the future.” An IRS Contractor, Not DOGE, Betrayed Taxpayer Privacy
Committee Democrats spent the hearing stoking unfounded fear about the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) jeopardizing taxpayer privacy and data. Unfortunately, as Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24) noted, Democrats did not show the same concern for actual politically-motivated leaks of confidential taxpayer data by an IRS contractor.    
Rep. Beth Van Duyne (TX-24): “We have absolutely seen no evidence that that has happened, even though we’ve heard it today, except for the fact that we actually had existing IRS policies that allowed security measures to fail, that prevented an employee from unauthorizing access and leaking the tax returns of Donald Trump and approximately 76 other individuals way before we ever even saw Elon Musk take an interest in this. We do know that that happened…In stark contrast Elon Musk’s approach is about transparency. It’s about open systems. When we say ‘transparency in government,’ it doesn’t mean allowing rogue employees to weaponize confidential records. It actually means creating systems where access is properly monitored, securely logged and justified with clear oversight.”   The Biden-Harris Administration Misled the American People About Improved IRS Customer Service 

Not only were the American people misled about the cost of the Inflation Reduction Act, but the Biden-Harris Administration also misled them about improved customer service after spending billions of taxpayer dollars. The results have been dismal: less than 1 in 3 calls are answered by a live person, a far-cry from former Secretary Janet Yellen’s promise that the majority of calls would be answered by a live person. The low answer rate is an indictment of the Democrats’ failed approach that ultimately has done little to help taxpayers engage with the IRS.    
Rep. Rudy Yakym (IN-02): “In your testimony, you noted the IRS is making progress in improving its level of service since the passage of the inflation Reduction Act. The Taxpayer Advocate found that during the 2024 tax filing season, the IRS achieved an 88 percent level of service with an average answer speed of three minutes. Does that mean that 88 percent of all taxpayer calls to the IRS were answered in three minutes?”   Nina Olson, former National Taxpayer Advocate: “No…What it doesn’t mean is how many calls overall actually were routed to a live assister out of all the calls, and that’s where you get to the 32 percent. Only 32 percent of the calls were routed to a live assister.”   Rep. Yakym: “Janet Yellen, President Biden’s Treasury secretary, promised the vast majority of callers will be connected to live assisters. That was not necessarily true, was it?”   Olson: “Not when you count all the calls. That’s correct.”   Rep. Yakym: “When you sum things up by quoting the Taxpayer Advocate one more time, ‘the Biden IRS allocated resources to hit ambitious but arbitrary goals that mean less than meets the eye, and consequently have required the IRS to neglect calls to other telephone lines and work streams like paper correspondence.’” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and April McClain Delaney (MD-06) and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), led 63 of their Congressional colleagues in a bipartisan, bicameral letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting FEMA Administrator Cameron Hamilton pressing for further explanation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) decision to cancel trainings for firefighters and first responders at the National Fire Academy (NFA) and Emergency Management Institute (EMI) in Emmitsburg, Maryland.

The NFA and EMI gather leading experts and first responders to train with stress-tested technology, share best practices on fire and hazard safety, develop innovative emergency response methods, and enhance public safety. Programs at the NFA and EMI include emergency medical services, fire prevention, arson and explosion investigation, leadership development, wildfire response, and firefighter health and safety. At the time of the abrupt cancellation, instructors were poised to host trainings across the country and many first responders had already booked their travel and accommodation for the upcoming week.

“As the Representative for California’s Central Coast, where wildfires are a constant and growing threat, I am deeply concerned about the decision to cancel critical training for our firefighters and first responders,” said Rep. Carbajal. “These brave men and women risk their lives every day to protect our communities, and they should have access to the best training and resources available to ensure their safety and effectiveness in the face of increasing wildfire risks. I am urging the Department of Homeland Security and FEMA to reconsider this decision and restore these vital training programs at the National Fire Academy and Emergency Management Institute. The lives of our first responders and the safety of our communities depend on it.”

In their letter, the lawmakers press for answers to the following:

• The rationale that FEMA used to justify the cancellation was to review programs to ensure that they aligned with “Administration priorities;” 

• The duration of FEMA’s review process;

• Whether first responders will be reimbursed for booked travel to now canceled courses;

• Whether FEMA will follow Federal Judge John McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island’s preliminary injunction on March 6th that prohibits the freezing of federal funds.

The full text of the letter is available here and below.

The letter was also signed by: Senators Angela Alsobrooks, Tim Kaine, Mazie Hirono, and Angus King and Reps. Gabe Amo, Don Beyer, Sanford Bishop, Suzanne Bonamici, Julia Brownley, André Carson, Ed Case, Gerry Connolly, Lou Correa, Angie Craig, Sarah Elfreth, Brian Fitzpatrick, Laura Gillen, Marie Glusenkamp-Perez, Dan Goldman, Josh Gottheimer, Jahana Hayes, Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Steny Hoyer, Val Hoyle, Jared Huffman, Glenn Ivey, Jonathan Jackson, Sara Jacobs, Hank Johnson, Tim Kennedy, Ro Khanna, John Larson, Ted Lieu, Zoe Lofgren, Stephen Lynch, Seth Magaziner, Jennifer McClellan, Kristen McDonald-Rivet, LaMonica McIver, Kweisi Mfume, Kelly Morrison, Seth Moulton, Frank Mrvan, Joe Neguse, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Johnny Olszewski, Scott Peters, Jamie Raskin, Raul Ruiz, Linda Sanchez, Mary Gay Scanlon, Brad Sherman, Suhas Subramanyam, Shri Thanedar, Bennie Thomson, Mike Thompson, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Paul Tonko, Lauren Underwood, Eugene Vindman, and George Whitesides.

March 14, 2025 

The Honorable Kristi Noem Secretary of Homeland Security U.S. Department of Homeland Security 2707 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue, S.E. Washington, D.C. 20528

The Honorable Cameron Hamilton Senior Official Performing the Duties of FEMA Administrator Federal Emergency Management Agency 500 C Street, S.W. Washington, D.C. 20024

Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Administrator Hamilton:

We write to express our serious concern with the Administration’s immediate cancellation of all in-person first responder training courses at the U.S. Fire Administration’s (USFA) National Fire Academy (NFA) and the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), collocated at the National Emergency Training Center (NETC) in Emmitsburg, Maryland. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) March 7th announcement, classes were canceled to review NFA and EMI “programs and spending to ensure alignment with Administration priorities.”  This action undermines first responder public safety and potentially poses an equal threat to public safety. 

Described as “the American fire service war college,” the NFA provides critical training and education programs. Tens of thousands of career and volunteer firefighters from departments across the country benefit from these courses annually. The EMI provides training for thousands of federal, state, and local emergency response officials each year, implementing the National Response Framework and National Incident Management System. The Academy and Institute gather leading experts and first responders to train with stress-tested technology, share best practices, develop innovative emergency response methods, and enhance public safety. Programs at the NETC include disaster preparedness, emergency operations, fire prevention, arson and explosion investigation, wildfire response, firefighter health and safety, and leadership development.

Congress created the NFA through the Federal Fire Prevention and Control Act of 1974 to “advance the professional development of fire service personnel.” In 2017, an overwhelming majority of Academy students reported that their coursework helped improve their individual skills and enhanced their local fire department’s readiness. In Fiscal Year 2023, more than 40,000 firefighters participated in NFA courses. After participating in these courses, 90 percent supervisors shared that their firefighters were better prepared to respond to emergencies as a result of their training at the Academy.

Without the services of the NFA and EMI, local departments will lose access to key tools and knowledge necessary to effectively respond to emergencies of all kinds and efficiently manage their agencies. Course offerings at the NFA and EMI are unique, supplementing, rather than duplicating, state-led certification and professional development programs. Local fire departments often lack the resources to provide specialized education for their first responders. Through the NFA and EMI, local agencies can send firefighters and other first responders to Emmitsburg for accessible, affordable courses. Additionally, courses are offered across the country at state fire training academies to reach first responders who cannot make the trip. By offering training that States cannot or do not offer to their firefighters, the NETC stands alone as the national hub of innovative, lifesaving emergency response methods. 

At a time when wildfires have ravaged–and continue to threaten–communities from Hawaii to California and the Carolinas, the collaboration and education managed by the NFA has never been more important. Recently, the Academy held a course on wildfire investigation, led by experienced professionals alongside experts from the U.S. Forest Service and CAL FIRE. Canceling critical courses like this one, even if the suspension is temporary, will mean that our communities will be left with fewer defenses against devastating wildfires. 

Given the importance of the programs at the NETC and the drastic impacts on local fire departments across the country, we request your immediate and comprehensive consideration in responding to the following questions:

     1. What criteria was used to determine that the NFA’s and EMI’s classes would be canceled?

     2. The rationale that FEMA used to justify the cancellation was to review programs to ensure that they aligned with “Administration priorities.” How long will FEMA’s review process take?

            a. Further, what criteria will be used to conduct the review?

     3. The cancellation notice was sent on the afternoon of Friday, March 7th, after travel arrangements and hotel reservations for future classes had been made. To make matters worse, students from Hawaii were on flights to Maryland when the announcement was made. Will local fire departments be reimbursed for lost expenses associated with impacted classes?

     4. We have heard reports that firefighters who were enrolled in courses scheduled to continue into and beyond the week of March 10th were told to leave campus immediately upon the cancellation order. Will these students and their local fire departments be reimbursed for all expenses related to courses that were wrongfully and prematurely terminated?

     5. On March 6th, Judge John McConnell of the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island issued a preliminary injunction that prohibits the freezing of federal funds and related activities. What impact will this order have on the determination to cancel NFA and EMI courses?

Firefighters and other first responders lay their lives on the line every day for our communities. The abrupt cancellation of courses has affected dozens of firefighters, educators, and local departments that rely on the National Fire Academy’s and Emergency Management Institute’s resources, classes, and expertise to promote safe and effective fire prevention, enhance firefighter safety, and reduce the loss of life and property to fire, floods, and other natural disasters. We call on the Administration to reverse course and reinstate these critical classes for first responders.

We request your prompt and detailed response to the questions outlined above no later than March 26th, 2025.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Ranking Member Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Chair Mike Ezell (MS-04) introduced the bipartisan “American Cargo for American Ships Act” to strengthen U.S. Cargo preference laws and promote American economic growth. The legislation aims to reduce the ongoing decline of U.S. flagged ships.

In 2022, the Maritime Administration (MARAD) testified before the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and highlighted the decline of U.S. flagged ships. Per MARAD, there were 106 ships in the foreign trade flying the U.S. flag in 2012. Four years later, there were just 77 vessels. Today, from that low point, we have grown back to 87 foreign trading ships under the U.S. flag.

“American cargo transported by American ships bolsters our economy, creates more jobs, and protects our supply chains,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m proud to introduce the American Cargo for American Ships Act that will ensure that our maritime workforce remains strong and competitive, safeguards our national security by reducing dependence on foreign vessels, and reinforces America’s position as a global leader in trade and commerce.”

“Ensuring that American cargo is transported on American ships with American crew is a matter of economic strength and domestic investment,” Ezell said. “This bill prioritizes U.S. vessels and American jobs, reinforcing our maritime industry and reducing dependence on foreign shipping. I’m proud to introduce this legislation to support our domestic fleet, protect our supply chains, and keep America strong on the seas.”

“The SIU is proud to support the American Cargo for American Ships Act. Now, more than ever, the United States needs a strong and vibrant merchant marine. There are many things we should be doing to make that a reality, but one of the easiest and most obvious is to make sure cargo purchased by the United States government with American taxpayer dollars moves on American ships with American crews. We applaud Chairman Ezell and Ranking Member Carbajal for their leadership, and look forward to working with them to get this bill signed into law,” said President David Heindel.

“The Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development strongly supports this important legislation. We thank Congressman Salud Carbajal for fighting to ensure that American taxpayer cargoes support the operation of U.S. -flag vessels that are necessary to enhance our nation’s economic and military security,” said President James Patti.

“The Masters, Mates & Pilots Union strongly supports this much-needed and vitally important legislation. This bill recognizes that the viability of our industry is dependent on the availability of cargo – and ensures that cargo financed by the American taxpayer is carried to the full extent possible on American ships with American crews. We thank Congressman Carbajal for his leadership on this issue,” said Don Josberger, International President at International Organization of Masters, Mates, & Pilots.

“For too long, federal agencies have evaded compliance with cargo preference laws, undermining a key tenet of our “Ship American” policy. By mandating that all government-required cargo be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels, we can prevent misuse of the waiver process. Adhering to cargo preference laws supports our U.S. fleet and job opportunities for American mariners at this critical time. M.E.B.A. commends Congressman Salud Carbajal for introducing the American Cargo for American Ships Act and will work to turn this legislation into law,” – Adam Vokac, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association.

The “American Cargo for American Ships Act” would increase cargo preference for all U.S. Department of Transportation cargoes to 100 percent. The Cargo Preference Act of 1954 requires that 50 percent of Civilian Agencies cargo and Agricultural Cargo be carried on U.S.-flag vessels – it is the maritime industry’s “Buy America” law. MARAD is the lead federal agency that manages Cargo Preference activities and compliance.

The full text of the “American Cargo for American Ships Act” is available here.

The following organizations support the “American Cargo for American Ships Act”: American Maritime Congress, American Maritime Officers, American Maritime Officers Service, American Roll-on Roll-off, International Organization of Masters, Mates & Pilots, Marine Engineers’ Beneficial Association, Maritime Institute for Research and Industrial Development, Sailors Union of the Pacific, Seafarers International Union, Transportation Institute, U.S. Ocean, Waterman Logistics, Hapag Lloyd USA, American President Lines LLC

Previously, Congressman Salud Carbajal (D-CA), the Top Democrat of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, has pushed the Maritime Administration (MARAD) to do more to encourage compliance with U.S. cargo preference laws.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, Congressman Carbajal voted against the House Republican continuing resolution that will extend government funding through September 2025 while leaving critical funding for Veterans benefits, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, and affordable housing in the hands of President Trump and Elon Musk.

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) issued the following statement:

“To put it simply, under no circumstance could I vote for a budget that threatens funding for vital programs that Central Coast Veterans, Seniors, and families rely on daily.

“The partisan House Republican budget cuts $23 billion from care for Veterans exposed to burn pits, Agent Orange, and other toxic substances. This budget bill would also fail to protect programs like Medicare and Medicaid leaving children, families, and Seniors without the care they need. And amid the ever-rising cost of housing, this budget would cause nearly 32,000 Veterans, domestic violence survivors, Seniors, and people with disabilities across the country to lose their homes. This partisan Republican budget also does not include any additional funding for disaster relief, while communities across the country are still suffering from the recent wildfires, hurricanes, and flooding.

“Democrats have been ready and willing to come together on a bipartisan government funding bill—but we cannot support gutting funding to critical programs that hardworking Americans rely on. That’s why I voted no.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) wrote to Governor Newsom raising concerns about the potential restart of offshore oil drilling operations along California’s Gaviota Coast by Sable Offshore Corp. Despite the devastating environmental and economic impacts of past oil spills, Sable Offshore Corp. is seeking approval to restart drilling using the same corrosion-prone pipeline that caused the 2015 Refugio Oil Spill.

Specifically, the lawmakers are advocating for a thorough environmental review and public engagement process.

“We applaud your efforts to stand up to the threat of new federal offshore oil leasing, however, California is facing another critical and even more pressing threat on our own shores. A new Texas oil company, Sable Offshore Corp., is attempting to restart massive oil and gas drilling and processing operating on the Gaviota Coast.

“This corrosion-prone pipeline was responsible for the Refugio oil spill in 2015 and has been out of operation since then following fishery closures, injuries and deaths to marine animals, and millions of dollars in lost recreational opportunities as a result of the spill,” wrote the lawmakers.

In addition to Representative Carbajal and Senator Schiff, the letter was signed by nearly half of the California Democratic Congressional delegation, including Representatives Barragán, Brownley, DeSaulnier, Friedman, Garamendi, Gomez, Huffman, Kamlager-Dove, Khanna, Levin, Liccardo, Lieu, Lofgren, Matsui, Min, Panetta, Rivas, Sherman, Takano, Vargas, Waters.

Rep. Carbajal has been a staunch advocate to ban future offshore drilling off the Central Coast. His first bill introduced in Congress was the California Clean Coast Act.

At the end of the Biden Administration, Carbajal’s 8-year push to ban future offshore oil drilling came to fruition when President Biden invoked his authority to protect over 625 million acres of federal waters from oil and gas exploration.

Congressman Carbajal was one of 12 members of Congress who wrote to President Biden requesting this action before the end of his term.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Governor Newsom,

As we write this, California is still reeling from the fires in Los Angeles. In addition, we face threats from the Trump Administration to expand oil drilling everywhere, including offshore California, and to gut federal policies and agencies that protect our environment and tackle the ongoing climate crisis. As we know all too well, fossil fuel-driven climate change is severely impacting California and setting the stage for unprecedented disasters like the one we just experienced in Los Angeles. The economic, environmental, and human costs in our state are immeasurable.  

We applaud your efforts to stand up to the threat of new federal offshore oil leasing, however, California is facing another critical and even more pressing threat on our own shores. A new Texas oil company, Sable Offshore Corp., is attempting to restart massive oil and gas drilling and processing operating on the Gaviota Coast. This corrosion-prone pipeline was responsible for the Refugio oil spill in 2015 and has been out of operation since then following fishery closures, injuries and deaths to marine animals, and millions of dollars in lost recreational opportunities as a result of the spill. The operation includes three 1980s-era offshore drilling platforms, onshore processing facilities, and other equipment, including a heavily corroded pipeline that ruptured ten years ago, causing one of the worst oil spills in California history.

The spill destroyed thousands of acres of shoreline and subtidal habitats, killed untold numbers of animals, and shut down beaches, fisheries, and businesses. Oil spread 150 miles south as far as Redondo Beach.

Prior to the oil spill, this project was also the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions on the Central Coast and impaired local and state efforts to meet our critical climate goals.

Fire risk is another significant concern from this proposal because the onshore processing facilities are in a high fire risk area. Since they shut down a decade ago, three wildfires have threatened the site. We don’t want to see what happens to Santa Barbara County if one of them catches on fire while full of oil and gas.

Fortunately, this project cannot proceed unless it is approved by several state agencies, including the Fire Marshal, State Parks, California Coastal Commission, State Lands Commission, and more. We write to share concerns that we have heard from our constituents on this issue in the hopes of a fair and transparent process as you consider a state waiver for the Sable pipeline.

It is our understanding that none of the aforementioned state agencies have held formal public hearings or conducted environmental review, despite state-wide concerns about the safety, economic, environmental, and climate effects of Sable’s proposal. The concerns we have heard from our constituents and potential requirements that we ask that you give full and fair consideration include the following:

• Require the Fire Marshal to reconsider the state waiver for the pipeline, conduct environmental review, and hold a public hearing[1];

• Require a coastal development permit for restart of the pipeline;

• Require State Parks to conduct environmental review and hold a public hearing prior to deciding whether to approve a new easement for the pipeline through Gaviota State Park.

In closing, we recognize and support your efforts to protect California from further oil development off our shores. Over the years, we have introduced legislation to permanently protect parts or all of California’s beloved coasts now and for future generations. We celebrated with you when President Biden protected these areas using his authority. Let’s also stand together to defend these actions as they face threats in Congress and the courts.

We appreciate your attention to this critical matter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Congressmen Salud Carbajal (CA-24) and Mike Lawler (NY-17) along with U.S. Senators Katie Britt (R-AL) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) today introduced the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act—bipartisan, bicameral legislation that together form a bold proposal to make child care more affordable and accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower child care costs and increase the supply of child care providers.

The lawmakers were joined in the introduction of the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act by Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-03) and Congressman Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06).

“Families on the Central Coast share a common concern: the high cost and limited availability of child care. Many families either can’t find the care they need or simply can’t afford it. At the same time, businesses are facing hiring challenges due to the shortage of child care options. The lack of affordable child care is holding back both families and local economies,” said Representative Carbajal. “That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act, a bipartisan, bicameral child care package aimed at both modernizing tax programs to help families afford child care and strengthening the workforce.”

“I’m proud to be working in a bipartisan, bicameral way with Senators Kaine and Britt and Rep. Carbajal to expand the child and dependent care tax credit. Putting more money back in the pockets of young working and middle-class families will help them achieve their financial goals, care for their kids, and provide a better future for all Americans,” said Representative Lawler.

“This commonsense proposal is about more than just addressing our child care crisis – it is a direct investment in the hardworking families and local small businesses striving to achieve their American Dream across our nation. I’m proud of this effort to empower parents, which ultimately opens the door to more opportunities for their children and tackles our nation’s urgent workforce needs to help unleash a new era of American prosperity,” said Senator Britt. “Our legislation is pro-family, pro-Main Street, and pro-growth. We are sending a strong message to the American people that we can and will get the job done to improve the affordability and accessibility of quality child care.”

“The child care crisis is holding our families and economy back. I hear from Virginia parents all the time about how hard it is to find affordable child care, from child care providers who are forced to leave their jobs because of low wages, and from businesses who are having trouble finding the employees they need,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation, and I hope more of my colleagues will join us in passing this comprehensive proposal to support child care providers, make it easier for families to access the care they need, and boost economic growth by providing parents with the opportunity to get back into the workforce.”

“Child care costs are skyrocketing, and too many families are struggling to find affordable, quality options. That’s why I’m proud to be leading this bipartisan, bicameral child care package that will directly address these challenges. By modernizing tax incentives and creating new opportunities for the child care workforce, this legislation will ease the financial burden on parents and strengthen our local child care centers. This is a clear example of both parties coming together to prioritize working families and build stronger communities.” – Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03)

“As a father of six, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find convenient and affordable child care,” said Ciscomani. “The high cost of care and an ongoing workforce shortage is leading to a crisis in child care that is affecting families in southern Arizona, and across the U.S. I’m proud to join Rep. Carbajal in this bold, bipartisan solution that makes child care more accessible by strengthening existing tax credits to lower costs as well as addressing the workforce shortage.”

“The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act and the Child Care Workforce Act is forward-thinking legislation that will tackle the child care challenges plaguing too many working parents, employers, and providers,” said FFYF Executive Director Sarah Rittling. “By refining tax credits and expanding access, this plan will deliver real relief to countless families. We’re grateful to Senators Britt, Kaine, Ernst, Shaheen, Curtis, and King for their leadership in finding bipartisan and practical solutions that put working families first.”

Across the country, too many families cannot find—or afford—the high-quality child care they need so parents can go to work and children can thrive. Over the last few decades, the cost of child care has increased by 263%, forcing families—and mothers, in particular—to make impossible choices

More than half of all families live in child care deserts. Meanwhile, child care workers are struggling to make ends meet on the poverty-level wages they are paid and child care providers are struggling to simply stay afloat. The crisis—which was exacerbated by the pandemic—is costing our economy dearly, to the tune of $122 billion in economic losses each year.

New national polling in conjunction with First Five Years Fund (FFYF) reflects overwhelming bipartisan support for the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC), with 86% of voters in support of increasing the CDCTC. According to polling from Fabrizio Ward, 63% of all voters say helping working class families is their top priority when it comes to changes in tax policy.

Congressman Carbajal has been championing legislation to bring down the cost of child care since 2023, when he introduced the Child Care Investment Act. The inspiration for that bill came from roundtables held by Rep. Carbajal in July 2022 where they discussed the impacts of inflation with small business owners in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo County, who conveyed that child care was one of their top concerns when it came to current business and hiring conditions.

The Child Care Availability and Affordability Act is endorsed by American Federation of Teachers (AFT), Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPCA), Care.com, Chamber of Progress, Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA), Children’s Institute, Early Care & Education Consortium (ECEC), Educare Learning Network, FFYF, Learning Care Group, KinderCare Learning Companies, National Association of Women Business Owners (NAWBO), National Child Care Association (NCCA), Santa Barbara South Coast Chamber of Commerce, Save the Children, Small Business Majority, Solvang Chamber of Commerce, Start Early, Third Way, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Ventura Chamber of Commerce. In addition to those groups, the Child Care Workforce Act is endorsed by the National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC), National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and ZERO TO THREE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Virginia Foxx (5th District of North Carolina)

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