MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Subcommittee on Europe Ranking Member Bill Keating (D-MA), American Canadian Economy and Security Caucus Co-Chair Mark Amodei (R-NV), Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere Ranking Member Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Subcommittee on South and Central Asia Chairman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) introduced H.R. 2000, the Arctic Watchers Act. This bipartisan legislation strengthens American engagement in the Arctic to combat Russian and Chinese malign influences in the region. By doing so, the legislation prioritizes U.S. interests in the region and expands economic and security cooperation with like-minded Arctic partners.

“This bipartisan legislation improves our economic and national security by working with our strategic partners and allies to increase the State Department’s focus on the Arctic,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Simply put, the United States can no longer afford to sit idly by and cede the region to Russia, China, and other nations who seek to advance objectives that conflict with American interests.”

“The Arctic Watchers Act, which will place specific Arctic-focused personnel at U.S. State Department missions in Europe and North America, ensures the United States is focused on critical economic and national security priorities in the region. The Arctic has tremendous potential, both in our bilateral partnerships with other Arctic nations, and in our economic, critical minerals, and cultural interests across the region,” said Ranking Member Keating. “This legislation signals to our Arctic allies that the United States is committed to the region and committed to countering increased Russian and Chinese malign influence in the Arctic which undermines U.S. interests. I thank my bipartisan colleagues for their support of this initiative.”

“Strengthening our geopolitical position in the Arctic is essential to countering the growing influence of adversaries like China and Russia, who are actively seeking to leverage the region to advance their global agendas,” said Congressman Amodei. “I support this bill because we cannot afford to hand over control of this strategically important region. By establishing a program to monitor foreign activities, we can protect U.S. interests and enhance our national security in the face of increasing global threats.”

“The Arctic region is increasingly essential to the national security and economic security of the United States”, said Ranking Member Castro. “The Arctic Watchers Act recognizes this and ensures that the United State has a unified approach to the Arctic with both our European and Western Hemisphere partners. I thank Ranking Member Keating for his leadership in authoring this legislation.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

This evening, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) released the following statement after voting in favor of legislation to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year.

“This funding measure ensures the federal government is able to continue serving the American people while avoiding an unnecessary shutdown,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Importantly, this legislation increases nutrition assistance for mothers, infants, and children by $500M, supports President Trump’s immigration enforcement, rescinds $20 billion in IRS funding, extends critical healthcare programs and telehealth flexibilities, delivers the largest pay increase for junior enlisted troops in over 40 years, and protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients from disruptions all while decreasing overall discretionary spending compared to last year. As the debate shifts to budget reconciliation, Congress must work to get our country back on the right fiscal track and make better use of taxpayer dollars. Policymakers in Washington should be looking for bipartisan solutions that improve affordability, strengthen our economy, and improve outcomes for families across all walks of life.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, U.S. Representatives Bill Huizenga (R-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dave Joyce (R-OH), and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), the co-chairs of the bipartisan House Great Lakes Task Force released the following statement regarding the State of Illinois delaying work and development at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam for invasive carp prevention, thereby jeopardizing the health and economy of the Great Lakes.

“As co-chairs of the Great Lakes Task Force, we urge the state of Illinois to promptly sign the necessary documents and end further delays in the critical ecosystem protection construction at the Brandon Road Lock and Dam. This project is essential to prevent the spread of invasive carp throughout the Great Lakes. Both Illinois and Michigan signed the project partnership agreement with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in 2024, now Illinois must take action to allow construction to proceed. Failing to do so puts the future of the Great Lakes ecosystem—and the multi-trillion-dollar economy it supports—at serious risk.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 25, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (D-NY) along with Reps. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Neal Dunn, M.D. (R-FL), Danny Davis (D-IL), John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA), and Raul Ruiz (D-CA) announced the reintroduction of the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, bipartisan legislation which aims to ensure that individuals with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) continue to have equitable access to private healthcare and to provide protection of the Medicare Trust Fund.

The legislation follows a 2022 Supreme Court ruling that has allowed private health plans to prematurely force ESRD patients onto Medicare, creating disruption in coverage for patients and their families and shifting a significant financial burden onto taxpayers.

“The tens of millions of Americans across our nation today who are fighting kidney disease should not face the danger of a disruption in coverage due to reasons beyond their control. It’s clear these individuals – who disproportionately belong to communities of color – are relying on Congress to stand up for them and protect their equitable access to necessary healthcare. I’m proud to support this bipartisan solution to ensure every American on dialysis has the care they need to live the lives they deserve,” said Congresswoman Clarke.

“This legislation is critical for Americans living with End Stage Renal Disease and who rely on dialysis,” said Rep. Kelly. “Patients deserve to know their benefits will be in place when they need them. This legislation will improve both patient care and patient outcomes. I want to thank my House colleagues for joining me on this vital legislation.”

“ESRD patients should not be concerned that they will be forced off their health insurance plan while seeking lifesaving dialysis treatments,” said Congressman Dunn. “I am proud to support this legislation to ensure that patients who depend on dialysis can focus on their treatment without worrying about their health insurance coverage.”

“The hundreds of thousands of patients throughout the country who rely on regular dialysis treatments should never be in fear of losing their access to care,” said Rep. Joyce, M.D. “The Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act would ensure that patients with End Stage Renal Disease have access to the treatments they need.”

“I thank members of Congress for introducing the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act, which will ensure insurance plans provide life-sustaining care to dialysis patients,” said LaVarne Burton, President & CEO of the American Kidney Fund (AKF). “This critical legislation will ensure that the Medicare Secondary Payer Act (MSPA) is working for the benefit of those it was intended to protect.”

“MSPA effectively protected patients with the option to stay on their private insurance plan as they navigated their life-altering diagnosis of kidney failure, but we’ve unfortunately seen that protection upended,” said Mahesh Krishnan, MD, MPH, MBA, Chair of Kidney Care Partners. “Now, we encourage all lawmakers to work together to restore critical protections for patients with kidney failure by passing the Restore Protections for Dialysis Patients Act without delay.”

Rep. Kelly first introduced this legislation in December 2023.

Read the full bill text here.

BACKGROUND

• In 1981, Congress amended the Medicare Secondary Payer Act (MSPA) to add language to protect against private health insurers from designing benefit plans to push individuals with ESRD onto Medicare prematurely.
• For decades, health plans have abided by the principles of MSPA, benefitting both beneficiaries and taxpayers.
• In June 2022, the Supreme Court ruled that health plans can effectively push ESRD patients onto Medicare, prompting a need for Congress to introduce legislation to clarify the Medicare Secondary Payer Act and protect ESRD patients from being kicked off of their private health plans.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 18, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) led 62 of their colleagues in the House and 23 of their colleagues in the Senate in a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem demanding the Trump Administration redesignate and extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, which the administration recently canceled on questionable legal authority:

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “The July 1, 2024, Federal Register notice extending Haiti’s TPS cited ‘grave insecurity, gang violence, socio-economic collapse, and environmental disasters’ as an ongoing crisis warranting protection. However, your February 2025 notice asserts that the 18-month period lacked justification. This decision ignores the overwhelming evidence that Haiti remains an unsafe place for anyone to return to. These conditions cited on the July 1, 2024 Federal Register Notice have worsened. Armed groups now control over 90% of Port-au-Prince, terrorizing civilians with widespread kidnappings, sexual violence, and indiscriminate killings. The UN reports that at least 5,601 people were killed in Haiti last year as a result of gang violence, over 1,000 more than the total killings for 2023. As of September 2024, nearly half the population of the country— 5.5 million Haitians—require urgent humanitarian aid, with 1.6 million facing ‘catastrophic’ food insecurity. Gang sieges and arson attacks have internally displaced over 1,041,000 people.”

The Members continued, “The decision to rescind Haiti’s TPS designation is not a thoughtful policy in the best interest of the United States. During his 2024 presidential campaign, Donald Trump explicitly singled out Haitian TPS recipients in rallies and interviews. This rhetoric mirrored his 2017 termination of Haiti’s TPS designation, which a federal court blocked for violating the Administrative Procedure Act and failing to consider country conditions. The administration’s current vacatur revives this legally dubious playbook, seeking to destabilize the lives of Haitian immigrants through shortened protections and heightened uncertainty.”

“We request that you extend and redesignate Haiti for TPS for the statutory maximum of 18 months. Failure to extend and redesignate TPS would violate the INA’s requirement for data-driven decisions and abandon over 500,000 Haitians to a warzone the U.S. government has explicitly deemed unsafe. Congress intended TPS to be both a humanitarian tool and a pragmatic response to unstable conditions abroad. While DHS has discretion, that authority must be exercised with diligence, transparency, and fidelity to the law,” they wrote, before requesting responses to a series of questions regarding the legal basis and humanitarian and national interest considerations that led to the administration’s questionable decision to cancel Haiti’s TPS designation.

House Signers (64): Clarke, Pressley, Adams, Amo, Beatty, Beyer, Carson, Casar, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Clark, Davis (Danny), Frost, Garcia (Jesus), Garcia (Sylvia), Goldman, Hayes, Hernandez, Jackson (Jonathan), Jacobs, Jayapal, Jeffries, Johnson (Henry), Latimer, Lee, Lofgren, Lynch, Magaziner, McClellan, McGovern, McIver, Meeks, Meng, Mfume, Moulton, Norton, Ocasio-Cortez, Omar, Pallone, Pingree, Pocan, Quigley, Ramirez, Raskin, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Scott (Bobby), Sewell, Soto, Suozzi, Swalwell, Thanedar, Thompson (Bennie), Tlaib, Tonko, Trahan, Vargas, Veasey, Velazquez, Wasserman Schultz, Waters, Watson Coleman, Wilson (Frederica)

Senate Signers (24): Van Hollen, Blumenthal, Booker, Coons, Cortez Masto, Duckworth, Durbin, Gillibrand, Heinrich, Hirono, Kaine, Kim (Andy), Klobuchar, Markey, Padilla, Reed, Sanders, Schumer, Shaheen, Warner, Warnock, Warren, Welch, Whitehouse

This letter has been endorsed by more than 100 organizations, including: UndocuBlack Network, African Communities Together, Black Alliance for Just Immigration, Center for Gender & Refugee Studies, Church World Service, Communities United for Status & Protection (CUSP), FWD.us, Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries, East Bay Sanctuary Covenant, Family Action Network Movement, Florence Immigrant & Refugee Rights Project, Florida Immigrant Coalition, Haitian Bridge Alliance, Hispanics in Philanthropy, Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Immigrant Defenders Law Center (ImmDef), Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project, Immigrant Legal Resource Center, Muslim Advocates, National Employment Law Project, National Partnership for New Americans, Nigerian Center, Presente.org, Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Quixote Center, Refugees International, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), The Advocates for Human Rights, The Border Network for Human Rights, United African Organization, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Witness at the Border, Baker Interfaith Friends Refugees International, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants, TPS-DED AAC, Haitian Support Center, Faith In Texas, Center for Law and Social Policy, Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP), Just Neighbors, Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights (CHIRLA), Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, Immigration Hub, New York Immigration Coalition, Human Rights First, Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti, Oasis Legal Services, Immigrants Rising, Houston Immigration Legal Services Collaborative, National Immigrant Justice Center, Borderlands Resource Initiative, Alianza Americas, Community Solutions, NH Conference, United Church of Christ Immigrant & Refugee Support Group, Immigrants Act Now, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, National Bar Association, Gainesville Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Interfaith Alliance for Immigrant Justice, Cameroon Advocacy Network, Louisiana Organization for Refugees and Immigrants – LORI, Women Watch Afrika, International Refugee Assistance Project, Sanctuary for Families, Minnesota Freedom Fund, scaleLIT, Win Without War, Urban Mom Collective National Black Mom Coalition, We Are All America, Westside Justice Center, Freedom for Immigrants, Partners In Health, Service Employees International Union, SEIU, Lutheran Social Services of the National Capital Area (LSSNCA), Adhikaar for Human Rights and Social Justice, EqualHealth’s Campaign Against Racism,  Immigration Center for Women and Children, Advocates for Basic Legal Equality (ABLE), Refugee Advocacy Lab, Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights, CASA, Immigration Law & Justice Network, Immigrant ARC, National Immigration Project, The Sidewalk School, TPS-DED AAC, Unitarian Universalists for Social Justice, United African Organization, United We Dream, Urban Mom Collective National Black Mom Coalition, We Are All America, Westside Justice Center, Win Without War, Wind of the Spirit Immigrant Resource Center, Witness at the Border, Women Watch Afrika, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, Working Families United, Hope Border Institute, Washington Office on Latin America, La Raza Community Resource Center (SF), Mujeres Unidas y Activas, Center for Engagement and Advocacy in the Americas, Services, Immigrant Rights and Education Network (SIREN), Alianza Americas, The Episcopal Church, MomsRising, Community Action Board of Santa Cruz County, Inc. (CAB), Asian Law Caucus, and the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN-LA).

The full text of the letter is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 14, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement:

“Like many thousands of New Yorkers and countless other Americans, I am incredibly disturbed by the illegal detainment of Columbia University student, Mahmoud Khalil. You may disagree with his cause, you may disagree with his tactics, but the laws of this nation are clear. As are the facts of this matter: Mr. Khalil is a legal permanent resident and husband to a U.S. citizen who has been wrongfully arrested by the Department of Homeland Security on Donald Trump’s orders. Despite being charged with no crime, this administration has denied him access to his family and lawyer, denied him the due process our Constitution grants every person in the United States, and denied him a future in this country that he has every right to see.

“In this dire moment, we cannot and must not lose sight of the consequences of allowing the president’s overreach to go unchallenged. Our unambiguous rejection of Donald Trump’s cruelty, bigotry, and tyranny is the only acceptable path forward if we are to remain a nation of laws. Otherwise, I can say with certainty that Mahmoud Khalil will not be the last person this administration disappears for their political opinions. He will not be the last person of color with a legal right to be here to face an unconstitutional crusade toward their arrest and deportation. This crisis does not begin and end with the fate of one man. Our options are to rise today or find out which of our neighbors is next tomorrow. Donald Trump wants the American people to fear him. He will fail.

“For these critical reasons, I joined 105 of my colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to demand answers regarding the detention of Mahmoud Khalil and the stripping of his green card – we expect their response promptly.”

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 5, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding the passing of the Honorable Congressman Sylvester Turner of Houston, Texas:

“I’m heartbroken to have learned of the passing of my friend and colleague, the good Congressman Sylvester Turner. Sylvester was a career public servant in the great state of Texas, who championed progress for decades in its House of Representatives and for 8 years as mayor of Houston. Throughout his political career, he stood tall as a stalwart advocate for our nation’s most vulnerable peoples and the causes that mattered most to them. Whether you were an immigrant, a woman, a Black American fighting for your right to prosper, or a gay American fighting for your right to love, Sylvester Turner was proudly and resolutely in your corner. Truly, his name will stand among the annals of Texas’ greatest leaders.

“During their season of bereavement, my condolences are with Congressman Turner’s family and loved ones, as well as the countless others he inspired over his lifetime of service and advocacy. My heart also goes out to the people of Houston, who only months ago said goodbye to another of their most dedicated public servants, Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee. May the leader who follows in their footsteps share the compassion, commitment, and drive of these two true giants of Texas’ history. And may Congressman Turner rest in power and rest in peace.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 1, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) issued the following statement regarding the passing of civil rights icon and president of the New York chapter of the NAACP, Dr. Hazel N. Dukes:

“New York and our nation have lost a true giant today. I have known Dr. Hazel Dukes for most of my life, and I consider it one of my greatest blessings to have called her my friend, mentor, Soror, Link Sister, and inspiration. My mother, Dr. Una S.T. Clarke, and Dr. Dukes were Democratic Convention companions and were often in the trenches together fighting for the Black Community at each other’s sides. She lived a life of courage, resolve, and unmatched tenacity, and I will miss her warmth and wisdom so very dearly.

“For more than 70 years, Dr. Dukes devoted her life towards advancing the rights of Black Americans and our fight for equal treatment. Her advocacy and work for racial diversity, equity and inclusion, social change, and economic development within the Black community as a leader within the NAACP and other organizations solidified her as a force for social action and change. She stood tall against the oppressive status quo of Jim Crow and paved the way forward to a more enlightened, more accepting, more loving era for our country and world. Truly, we owe her a debt that can never be measured.

“My heartfelt prayers and condolences are with her son Ronald, her daughter-in-law Janet, and all friends and loved ones of the Dukes family during this season of bereavement. May they find comfort in knowing Dr. Dukes’ memory will long serve as a guiding light to those of us who remember just how bright she shined.”

“Well done, thou good and faithful servant; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.” – Matthew 25:23 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

Congressman David Scott (GA-13) will attend Lockheed Martin’s ceremony to rollout the C-5M Super Galaxy. Media interested in attending the ceremony should contact Chandra Harris at 770-210-5073 or Peter Simmons of Lockheed at 770-494-6208 for more information.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

Keynote Speaker – Mundy’s Mill HS 2006 Graduation

WHAT: Congressman David Scott (D-GA) will participate as the keynote speaker for the 2006 Graduation Ceremony of Mundy’s Mill High School. Constituents from the Clayton County community are encouraged to attend this special ceremony. WHEN: Saturday, May 27, 2006 – 7:30 p.m. WHERE: Twelve Oaks Stadium 1586 Lovejoy Road Jonesboro, GA 30236