MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) led Congressional Cut Flower Caucus co-chairs Dan Newhouse (R-WA-04), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-20), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), and Jeff Hurd (R-CO-03) in introducing the Don Young American Grown Act. 

The bipartisan bill requires any cut flowers or cut green plants officially on display in public areas of the Executive Office of the President, Department of Defense, or Department of State be grown in the United States, District of Columbia, or a U.S. territory. 

In addition, the lawmakers introduced a bipartisan resolution to officially recognize the month of July 2025 as “American Grown Flower and Foliage Month’’.

“California produces nearly three quarters of all American-grown cut flowers, and I’ve seen firsthand the vital role these farms play in supporting local jobs, small businesses, and the long-term strength of our agricultural sector,” said Rep. Carbajal, co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus. “The Don Young American Grown Act will uplift domestic cut flower growers, bolster our specialty crop sector, and honor the legacy of the late Congressman Young.”

“Maine’s flower farmers and the cut flower industry nationwide create jobs, support local economies, and bring natural beauty to our communities,” said Rep. Pingree, co-chair of the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus. “As Co-Chair of the Cut Flower Caucus, I’m proud to reintroduce the Don Young American Grown Act, alongside the resolution designating July as American Grown Flower and Foliage Month. This bipartisan legislation honors Don’s legacy, while ensuring federal agencies lead by example in purchasing American-grown flowers. It’s a commonsense way to support our domestic growers year-round.”

Representative Don Young of Alaska, who passed away in 2022, was the lead sponsor of the Don Young American Grown Act in both the 116^th and 117^th Congresses. Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK) leads companion, bipartisan legislation in the U.S. Senate. 

The text of the Don Young American Grown Act can be found HERE.

The text of the American Grown Flower and Foliage Month resolution can be found HERE. Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) leads a companion resolution in the U.S. Senate. 

Founded in 2014, the Congressional Cut Flower Caucus was created to help address, support, and represent the economic interests and opportunities facing America’s flower farmers.

The Congressional Cut Flower Caucus is a bipartisan coalition established to set the agenda and educate Congress on the cultural and economic value of flower and green farms.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, OH – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Congressman Mike QuigleyCo-Chairs of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus, together with Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (ME-01), led 33 members of Congress in calling on the Trump administration to rapidly address applications for legal status and work authorization by Ukrainians currently in the United States.

 “Murderous Dictator Putin continues his unprovoked war of aggression, unleashing daily barrages of rockets and terror on innocent Ukrainian civilians. The United States and the Free World have a moral obligation to protect those who may yet fall under his murderous rampage. Since the full scale escalation of Russia’s war in Ukraine in February, 2022, more than 270,000 Ukrainians have sought refuge in America. For more than 3 years, Ukrainian refugees have contributed greatly to communities nationwide, including in the greater Toledo and Cleveland areas in my home state of Ohio.” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “The success of the U4U program is unquestioned, with more than 175,000 Ukrainian nationals currently in the United States through this program. I was pleased to hear and echo President Trump’s sentiment earlier this week that we must continue to grant them the safety and shelter that prevents them from being forced back into the setting of war. America has long been a refuge for those whose lives are threatened by immediate danger, and we must continue serving as a shining light for Liberty for those fleeing tyranny and terror.” 

Since Russia invaded Ukraine, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have sought refuge in the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program. Now, many are seeing their statuses lapse as a massive backlog has developed within US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Following President Trump’s recent encouraging comments about the U4U program, the bipartisan group of members is urging the administration to adjudicate outstanding requests for legal status and work authorization and to extend parole for Ukrainians with expiring statuses.

The members wrote, in part in their letter, “After years of being employed, paying taxes, and contributing to our neighborhoods, Ukrainians in our districts now live in uncertainty–a state of limbo that hurts communities and employers alike who’ve sought to help this population.”

Other signers of the letter include Representatives: Ukraine Caucus Co-Chair Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-00), Danny Davis (IL-07), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Eric Swalwell (CA-14), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Adam Smith (WA-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Joe Morelle (NY-25), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Bill Keating (MA-09), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Greg Casar (TX-35), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Jason Crow (CO-06), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Jim Costa (CA-21). 

A copy of the signed letter is available HERE. The full text of the letter is available below:

Dear Secretary Noem and Director Edlow,

We write to express our continued support for Ukrainians who have been granted temporary status in the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine program. We ask your administration to take swift, decisive actions to preserve legal status and work authorization for Ukrainians who have found safety in the United States amid the devastating conflict brought upon their homeland.

Five months ago, we marked three years since Vladimir Putin launched his full-scale, unprovoked, and illegal invasion of Ukraine. This brutal assault on Ukraine’s sovereignty and democracy has forced millions to flee their homeland in search of safety. Since February 24, 2022, tens of thousands of Ukrainians have sought refuge in the United States. For many of them, the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program has provided a vital humanitarian lifeline, offering a pathway to safety, dignity, and hope.

Many individuals and families from Ukraine received travel authorization to the United States, a lawful status and temporary basis for work authorization through the Uniting for Ukraine program for up to two years. However, Ukrainians in our districts are increasingly seeing their statuses and work authorization lapse under expiring grants of parole offered under the program. After years of being employed, paying taxes, and contributing to our neighborhoods, Ukrainians in our districts now live in uncertainty–a state of limbo that hurts communities and employers alike who’ve sought to help this population. We believe a series of limited, concrete actions within your authority could protect this population as hostilities continue in Ukraine, such as:

1)      Adjudicate outstanding requests for lawful status, work authorization: Many Ukrainians have applied for re-parole, Temporary Protected Status, and work authorization but have not had their applications adjudicated by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under an administrative hold. We urge USCIS to swiftly adjudicate outstanding employment authorization and other benefits requests from U4U beneficiaries under the June 9 “Adjudication of Requests filed by Parolees Under Specified Parole Programs” memo. Backlog reduction efforts would make a substantial difference in providing certainty and clarity to thousands of Ukrainian individuals and families who sought relief in a timely manner.

2)      Re-parole and/or parole extensions for Ukrainians with expiring parole: Under the operational lifting of the USCIS administrative pause, DHS should accept, consider, and adjudicate new applications for re-parole from U4U beneficiaries, or deploy a limited parole extension process on a case-by-case basis. These processes would provide an orderly framework for Ukrainians to preserve an expiring status and/or work authorization outside of the backlogged asylum system.

We are grateful for your administration’s support for peace in Ukraine. Until that is achieved, we ask you to preserve protections for those affected by this terrible war.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, OH — Today, the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) issued a decision finding that the Department of Energy violated the Impoundment Control Act. After investigating delayed awards for the Department of Energy’s Renew America’s Schools Program, GAO confirmed what we already knew: President Trump and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russ Vought’s theft of appropriated funds violates the Impoundment Control Act.

This decision respects Congress’s constitutional primacy over appropriations and the Congress’s role in passing annual appropriations Acts, including appropriations to provide funding for schools to help schools decrease energy costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments.

“GAO’s legal determination confirms the illegality of DOE’s wider pattern of freezing appropriated funds for energy programs. DOE’s delays of critical energy funding for policy reasons lay bare an appalling betrayal of working families,” said Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Marcy Kaptur (OH-09). “These program freezes cede our global clean energy leadership to Communist China and force Americans to pay higher energy bills. DOE’s partisan overreach must end now. They must release the funds immediately so communities and families can drive down costs, improve our infrastructure, and secure America’s energy independence in perpetuity.”

“President Trump, Russ Vought, and Secretary Wright continue to steal from Americans to concentrate absolute power in the executive branch. This time, they are stealing from our nation’s schoolchildren, who deserve a healthy environment to learn in – and from school districts looking to lower their energy costs. The Government Accountability Office (GAO), our government’s preeminent nonpartisan watchdog, has yet again plainly demonstrated that the Department of Energy is engaged in a broad pattern of unlawfully freezing critical energy investments, forcing Americans to pay higher energy bills,” said House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro (CT-03). “Their unlawful impoundments are not limited to Renew America’s Schools; they are threatening vital clean energy and efficiency initiatives that help drive down costs and modernize our infrastructure. I will continue to say it: Russ Vought is behind the lawless destruction and upheaval of our government and must be removed from his position. Russ Vought is an unelected bureaucrat, much like those he professes to detest, and he has decided that his views, and his priorities, are superior to the priorities, directives, and decisions of the Democratic and Republican representatives in the United States Congress. He has shown time and again that he is willing to break the law and hurt Americans in order to fund tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. He must be stopped.”

The US Department of Energy (DOE) launched the $500 Million Renew America’s Schools Program to promote the implementation of energy improvements at K-12 public schools across the country. This first-of-its-kind investment aims to help school communities make energy upgrades that will decrease energy use and costs, improve indoor air quality, and foster healthier learning environments. To date, the Renew America’s Schools Program has invested hundreds of millions in public school districts across America, supporting capacity-building initiatives for energy management at over two dozen Local Educational Agencies (LEAs), and funding improvement projects at more than 400 facilities across 36 states – directly benefitting over 197,000 students and 14,000 teachers.

In April, Ranking Member DeLauro and Vice Chair Murray first released a joint tracker on the funds President Trump and Russ Vought are stealing from American communities. This tracker — the first of its kind — puts a spotlight on the frozen funds across our government, including the $77 Billion for Department of Energy programs. See the updated tracker here.

Ranking Member DeLauro has been sounding the alarm on impoundment since President Trump was reelected. In December 2024, she released this fact sheet laying the groundwork on President Trump’s uninformed and unconstitutional impoundment plan.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Members Grace Meng (D-NY) and Lois Frankel (D-FL), and Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA), Chair of the Reproductive Freedom Caucus’s Contraception, Family Planning, and Education Task Force, today led 79 Representatives in demanding an investigation into the U.S. Department of State’s decision to spend an additional $300,000 in taxpayer dollars to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of life-saving emergency food aid and $9.7 million worth of contraceptives, rather than distributing the aid as intended or working with another trusted partner willing to take over distribution. In the letter addressed to Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of State Arne B. Baker, the lawmakers condemned the State Department’s decision as financial mismanagement that squanders taxpayer dollars and a moral failure, abandoning vulnerable populations who depend on U.S. aid to survive. 

They wrote to Acting Inspector General for the U.S. Department of State Arne B. Baker:

“We write to request an investigation into waste and mismanagement on the part of the U.S. Department of State, which has reportedly chosen to destroy nearly 500 metric tons of emergency food aid and $9.7 million worth of contraceptives rather than delivering the much-needed aid as intended.

“According to reporting, the State Department intends to destroy roughly $800,000 worth of high-energy biscuits intended to feed children under five years of age. That comes after alleged severe mismanagement of the food aid, including multiple officials failing to respond to memos regarding future plans for the biscuits for months. After that failure of leadership, the Department now plans to spend $130,000 – on top of the original $800,000 – to incinerate the planned food aid.

“Following a similar pattern, the State Department also reportedly still intends to destroy $9.7 million of contraceptives, including IUDs and birth control implants, at the cost of $167,000 to the American taxpayer. Concerningly, the reporting found that these contraceptives are perfectly viable for delivery; they are long-lasting, with an expiration date of 2027, and most do not include USAID labels that would require rebranding. Incinerating contraceptives that are viable, with no rush and clear demand, is the equivalent of lighting U.S. taxpayer dollars on fire.

“This pattern of intentional incineration at the expense of the U.S. taxpayer is financially wasteful, morally bankrupt, and an attack on the American humanitarian tradition. These actions place ideological beliefs and politics above a faithful commitment to U.S. law, contracts, and humanitarian agreements. Given that these officials have given no indication that they will place the law over their personal vendettas against our humanitarian tradition, external oversight is necessary.

“We therefore request that your office immediately open an investigation into this documented waste of existing State Department supplies and waste of additional taxpayer funds to destroy those supplies, as well as the Department’s refusal to use these commodities for their intended purposes or partner with organizations or countries willing to take on responsibility for these commodities. Please provide an update on the status of such investigation by August 8, 2025.” 

The letter to Acting Inspector General Baker was sent by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (VA), Grace Meng (NY), Lois Frankel (FL), Judy Chu (CA), Robert Garcia (CA), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL), Betty McCollum (MN), Emanuel Cleaver (MO), Sarah Elfreth (MD), Nikema Williams (GA), Brendan Boyle (PA), Yassamin Ansari (AZ), Jonathan Jackson (IL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY), Mike Quigley (IL), Greg Landsman (OH), Stephen Lynch (MA), Dave Min (CA), Maxine Waters (CA), Lateefah Simon (CA), Nanette Barragán (CA), Lloyd Doggett (CA), Debbie Dingell (MI), Sylvia Garcia (TX), Sarah McBride (DE), Seth Moulton (MA), Deborah Ross (NC), Josh Gottheimer (NJ), Mike Thompson (CA), Maggie Goodlander (NH), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA), Sean Casten (IL), Ami Bera (CA), Dina Titus (NV), Troy Carter (LA), Mark DeSaulnier (CA), Chellie Pingree (ME), Steve Cohen (TN), Dwight Evans (PA), Nydia Velázquez (NY), Haley Stevens (MI), Marc Veasey (TX), Darren Soto (FL), Danny Davis (IL), Mike Levin (CA), Mark Takano (CA), Suzan DelBene (WA), Julia Brownley (CA), Marcy Kaptur (OH), Adam Smith (WA), Jan Schakowsky (IL), Norma Torres (CA), Laura Friedman (CA), Rashida Tlaib (MI), John Garamendi (CA), Wesley Bell (MO), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL), Kelly Morrison (MN), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL), Hank Johnson (GA), Frederica Wilson (FL), Chrissy Houlahan (PA), Yvette Clarke (NY), Val Hoyle (OR), Kweisi Mfume (MD), Lori Trahan (MA), Jennifer McClellan (VA), Ed Case (HI), Brittany Pettersen (CO), Eric Swalwell (CA), Julie Johnson (TX), Paul Tonko (NY), André Carson (IN), Jerry Nadler (NY), Eugene Vindman (VA), Jill Tokuda (HI), Robin Kelly (IL), Bill Keating (MA), Madeleine Dean (PA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Jim McGovern (D-MA) and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC).

A signed copy of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Palm Desert, CA – Today Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) issued the following statement:

“The extreme hunger and starvation unfolding in Gaza is a dire humanitarian emergency. Reports of Palestinians—including children—dying from hunger and malnutrition are heartbreaking and unacceptable. This is a man-made crisis, and urgent action is needed. Time is of the essence. Every day that food, water, and life-saving medical care are blocked from reaching civilians, more lives will be lost, especially children.

“That’s why I sent letters to President Trump and Secretary Rubio demanding that they increase humanitarian resources to Gaza, and urge Israel and Hamas to end the war, and release all hostages. 

“They must guarantee safe and unfettered access for international humanitarian organizations and the United Nations that abide by the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence to provide food, clean water, sanitation, and urgent medical care. 

“We need immediate, coordinated action. Lives are on the line. We need this now.”

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Congressman Danny Davis announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Throughout his historic career as an educator and community organizer and later as a distinguished public servant, Congressman Davis has never wavered in his commitment to serving those back home. Whether on the Cook County Board of Commissioners, the Chicago City Council or in the United States Congress, Congressman Davis has been a tremendous champion for racial, social and economic justice and a fierce fighter for the people he is privileged to represent in Chicago. 

For more than three decades in the Congress, including as a Member of the exclusive Ways and Means Committee and the top Democrat on the Worker and Family Support Subcommittee, Danny has worked to ensure our tax code lifts up the least, lost and left-behind in Chicago and across our nation. He introduced and ushered through the transformative Second Chance Act to help returning citizens with services to rebuild their futures. Danny has been a co-chair and leader of the Congressional Caucus on Black Men and Boys where he advocated for solutions to systemic racism, police brutality and income inequality.  

Danny forged a remarkable legacy and made clear his commitment to public service. The House Democratic Caucus family will miss Danny deeply and wish him and his family the best in this next chapter. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

Washington, D.C. — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) today issued the following statement urging President Trump and the Israeli government to take immediate action to ensure that aid reaches innocent civilians in Gaza:

“I am deeply concerned by the famine and perilous security situation in Gaza. In February 2024, I went to the Rafah Crossing in Egypt and saw the backlog of aid trucks being kept out of Gaza. I took my concerns about keeping aid from reaching civilians directly to Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Biden. Restricting life saving aid from reaching civilians was as dangerous then as it is today. Failure to take immediate action now will lead to the deaths of thousands of innocent civilians, including women and children, and the perpetuation of the war. 

“I was encouraged to see the announcement earlier this week that increased humanitarian aid would be allowed to enter Gaza, but it is not enough. The previous system of distributing aid through the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation was ineffective and directly led to the deaths of civilians at aid sites within days of beginning the operation. It needlessly endangered civilian lives. I immediately called on President Trump to work with the Israeli government and humanitarian organizations operating in Gaza to develop a safer method of delivery aid, but no action was taken. 

“It is unacceptable that Hamas walked away from the last round of ceasefire negotiations and rejected the proposal agreed to by Israel, the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar. I again urge both parties to return to the negotiating table immediately to reach a ceasefire and bring the hostages home. But that alone will not lead to the end of this conflict. For that to happen, the human suffering must end.

“It is past time that President Trump stands up for American values and works with the Israeli government to ensure that aid reaches the innocent civilians who desperately need it. Limiting the delivery of aid has only allowed Hamas and criminal gangs to exploit the situation. Ending the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is vital to maintaining America’s values, weakening Hamas’s support, and permanently ending the conflict.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, is leading dozens of Members of Congress in demanding answers from Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Department of Justice (DOJ) over an internal memo prioritizing the denaturalization of U.S. citizens.

“It appears this Administration plans to weaponize denaturalization cases to further smear innocent people and go after its perceived enemies,” wrote the Members. “The Trump Administration’s denaturalization efforts are a threat to the safety of every single American, including the roughly 24.5 million naturalized citizens as well as natural-born citizens alike. If the Administration is attacking citizens for speaking out against them, no one in this country is safe from harassment and arrest.”

Denaturalization, or the revocation of citizenship, has a dangerous history in this country. While it was used for good following World War II to remove former Nazis who lied about their crimes, it was weaponized in the McCarthy era when roughly 22,000 denaturalization cases were filed for political purposes. During that time, the Supreme Court intervened in the Afroyim v. Rusk case, ruling that denaturalization was only acceptable in cases of citizenship being gained through fraudulent means or if the individual posed a legitimate threat to national security.

However, the DOJ seems to be pursuing denaturalization outside of those guidelines, even saying in their memo, “these categories do not limit the Civil Division from pursuing any particular case…the Civil Division retains the discretion to pursue cases outside of these categories as it determines appropriate.”

President Trump has threatened baseless denaturalization against Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for the mayor of New York, as well as Rosie O’Donnell, an American-born comedian and actress. 

The letter is also signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Greg Casar (TX-35), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Adam Smith (WA-9), Darren Soto (FL-09), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Jill Tokuda (HI-02).

The full text of the letter can be read here.

Issues: Civil Rights, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), along with Reps. Josh Harder (CA-10), Jimmy Panetta (CA-20), Alma Adams (NC-12), Jim Costa (CA-21), and 130 other Members of Congress reintroduced the Enhance Access to SNAP (EATS) Act, which would expand Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) eligibility to all college students attending 2- and 4-year universities who meet traditional SNAP income and eligibility requirements. Current SNAP eligibility rules only include college students working 20 hours per week or participating in a federal or state work study, or those who meet very specific exemptions. The EATS Act would permanently ensure that low-income college students have equitable access to SNAP benefits by amending the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to include “attending an institution of higher education” as another form of qualification in addition to work.

“Too many students are working toward a degree while quietly struggling with hunger,” said Rep. Gomez. “No student should have to choose between focusing on their finals or finding their next meal. It is essential that college students, especially first-generation students and students of color, don’t fall through the cracks. The EATS Act will expand access to SNAP benefits for students and ensure that hunger doesn’t stand in the way of a degree or a better life.”

According to The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University, food insecurity is a serious problem on college campuses across the nation, especially for students of color, first generation students, low-income students, and students at community colleges. In 2023-2024, 41% of college students experienced food insecurity. Students of color were more likely to experience basic needs insecurity: 74% of Indigenous, 72% of Black, and 67% of Pacific Islander or Native Hawaiian students experienced food insecurity, housing insecurity, and/or homelessness.

Senator Kristen Gillibrand is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

“No college student should have to scrounge for food or wonder where they’ll get their next meal,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Food insecurity is a crisis that plagues low-income college students in New York and beyond, and we must do more to combat it. The EATS Act would eliminate work-for-food barriers for low-income students and ensure that as many as 4 million college students nationwide can access the SNAP benefits they need to learn and thrive. This legislation is critical, and I’m committed to fighting for its passage.”

“There are many college students across the country that face food insecurity due to outdated and arbitrary restrictions that block access to SNAP benefits,” said Rep. Panetta.  “The EATS Act would eliminate those barriers and expand eligibility so students, including those in California’s CalFresh program, can get the nutrition they need.  By removing these unnecessary hurdles, we can ensure that rather than worrying about where their next meal will come from, our students can focus on their education and future success.”

“College students across the nation are going hungry, skipping meals, and can’t afford to make ends meet – it’s unacceptable. No student should have to choose between food and their textbooks,” said Rep. Costa. “Our legislation eliminates barriers and expands SNAP eligibility for college students, so they get the nutrition needed to be successful.”

“This is a commonsense bill – we know our students can’t learn if they’re hungry. One in three college students face food insecurity meaning millions of young people aren’t able to live up to their potential,” said Rep. Harder. “If we want to set future generations up for success, we have to make sure they are getting the nutrition they need. This bill does just that by extending access to SNAP to college students. It’s a no-brainer if we care about our future.”

“As a former college professor of 40 years, I’ve seen students struggle with hunger firsthand and know how it impacts their health and academic achievement. They should be focusing on their education, not where their next meal is coming from, but harsh SNAP restrictions make that impossible for millions of college students, especially after the passage of Republicans’ One Big, Ugly Bill,” said Rep. Adams. “I’m proud to support the EATS Act so we can remove these outdated barriers to SNAP, make college more accessible to low-income families, and ensure no student goes to bed hungry.”

“No student should have to choose between eating and learning. The EATS Act removes outdated and harmful barriers that have long prevented college students—including many student parents and students of color—from accessing SNAP. This bill is a step toward justice—toward a future where an empty stomach isn’t a prerequisite for learning, and where every student is healthy, housed, and fed,” said Shimica Gaskins, President & CEO, GRACE/End Child Poverty California.

“All students should have the resources they need to meet their basic needs. But with one in five experiencing food insecurity and many lacking access to SNAP benefits, this is not their reality. It’s clear the system needs reformed,” said Jessica Thompson, Senior Vice President at The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS). “Removing the requirement to meet an additional exemption will improve students’ ability to access benefits and better support their academic success. That’s why TICAS is proud to endorse the EATS Act of 2025  – a critical step in addressing food insecurity for this overlooked population.” 

“Far too many low-income college students are going hungry, all while juggling family, work, and a full course load in pursuit of economic mobility. Many are parents, caregivers, or older adults returning to school for a better future, but the current system, with its 20-hour per week work requirement, makes this nearly impossible. Balancing work, school, and other responsibilities leaves little time for these students to focus on their education, much less maintain their health or care for their loved ones. Hunger only compounds these challenges, preventing them from fully thriving,” said Crystal FitzSimons, President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “No student should have to choose between buying food and pursuing an education. Congress must pass the EATS Act to remove outdated barriers to SNAP eligibility and ensure every student has the food they need to learn and thrive.”

The full text of the bill can be found  here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

SEATTLE, WA – Today, Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) issued the following statement in response to the ongoing war in Gaza and a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed by William A. Galston titled “Hamas Will Never Surrender,” calling for Israel to accept a ceasefire in return for the release of hostages, and a new strategy to rebuild Gaza and empower credible Palestinian governance: 

“William Galston’s op-ed in the Wall Street Journal acknowledges a hard truth: Hamas will never surrender. That truth underscores the urgent need for a fundamental shift in strategy. After nearly two years of war, it’s clear that the complete destruction of Hamas is not a feasible or sustainable goal and the cost of continuing to try is far too high. 

“Hamas is a terrorist organization and bears full responsibility for the horrific October 7 attacks. But continuing this war indefinitely, with devastating consequences for innocent Palestinian civilians, will not bring peace or security to Israel or the region. 

“There are Palestinians who reject Hamas’s violence and extremism and they must be empowered to lead. A new path forward is the only way to achieve long-term peace and security. The current course of continued military operations, displacement, and indefinite occupation risks even greater instability, can undermine key regional partnerships, and diminishes Israel’s moral and strategic standing. 

“It is time for an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian crisis and for Israel to accept a permanent ceasefire in exchange for the return of the remaining hostages. Israel must begin working with the United States, Arab partners, and the international community to support credible Palestinian alternatives to Hamas to govern Gaza and the West Bank. 

“We can continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself while recognizing that the military campaign has reached its limits. The time has come to shift from endless war to a political strategy that brings hostages home, delivers humanitarian relief, and builds the foundations for lasting peace. The United States must lead that effort.”