MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03), issued the following statement on the passing of former Columbus City Council member, Dorothy Teater:

 

“Today, we mourn the passing of my good friend, and trailblazer of central Ohio politics, Dorothy Teater. As the first woman elected to the Franklin County Commission and the first woman to run on a major political ticket in central Ohio, she paved the way for female political leaders throughout Ohio and continued to inspire young women in our community, throughout her decades-long career.”

 

“Dorothy Teater was the kind of leader who didn’t just earn respect—she commanded it, with grace and grit. She was candid, grounded, and deeply committed to her community. Whether you agreed with her or not, you couldn’t help but admire her strength and ambition. Even her toughest political opponents spoke of her with respect—and that says it all.”

 

“She will be sorely missed, but her legacy will live on forever, through Ohio’s female political leaders. My thoughts are with her family during this difficult time. ”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO, IL — Severe storms on Friday and Monday caused flash floods that devastated thousands of residents across Southwest Chicago and the suburbs. More than 2,000 flooded basement reports have already been filed—and that’s just part of the damage. Streets, vehicles, entire homes, commercial and industrial properties, and even a local library were hit hard, especially in working-class communities where recovery will be the toughest.

“I’ve been in contact with Governor Pritzker and local officials to uplift calls for a state emergency declaration and federal disaster assistance,” said Congressman García. “Our communities need immediate relief and long-term investments to prevent this kind of flooding from happening again. I’ll keep fighting to make sure our neighborhoods aren’t left behind.”

If you’ve been affected, please report damage to your local ward or municipality and document everything. My office is here to help connect you to resources as they become available. You can reach us at (773) 475-0833. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

EAGAN, MN – This week, following U.S. Representative Angie Craig and Minnesota Congressional Democrats’ push, the Trump Administration announced that they will be releasing more than $70 million in funding that had been illegally withheld from Minnesota public schools. 

In a letter to U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget Russel Vought earlier this month, Rep. Craig and her colleagues expressed their concern that the Administration had been withholding $74 million in previously appropriated funding from the State of Minnesota, local school districts and students. The letter was co-signed by Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Tina Smith (D-MN), Rep. Betty McCollum (MN-04), Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Rep. Kelly Morrison (MN-03).

“Our communities, schools, educators, and students in Minnesota and in every corner of the nation will suffer without these federal education investments, and they must be released immediately to ensure that our local leaders can best plan for the rapidly approaching 2025-2026 school year,” the Members wrote.

The federal dollars released this week will fund Supporting Effective Instruction State Grants (Title II-A), English Language Acquisition (Title III-A), Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants (Title IV-A), 21^st Century Community Learning Centers (Title IV-B), Migrant Education (Title I-C) and Adult Basic and Literacy Education State Grants. 

Rep. Craig has long fought to protect education in Minnesota and across the country. She has been a fierce critic of the Administration’s efforts to defund and dismantle the Department of Education.

This Congress, she cosponsored the Department of Education Protection Act, which would prohibit Congressional funds from being used to fire agency workers or drastically alter the Department of Education without prior Congressional approval. She also led a joint resolution opposing cuts to the Department of Education and condemning any Congressional or Executive action that attempts to dismantle the Department.

And in May, she led 89 of her Congressional colleagues in blasting the Administration’s decision to eliminate critical Head Start programs that promote early childhood development and ease the burden of child care on working families. 

In a show of support for Minnesota’s educators and in opposition to the Administration’s proposed cuts to education funding, Rep. Craig invited Education Minnesota President Denise Specht as her guest to this year’s State of the Union.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig (MN-02) joined her colleagues Reps. Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Mike Thompson (CA-04) in introducing legislation to combat the housing affordability crisis and help Minnesota’s first-time homebuyers purchase a home.

The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would establish a refundable tax credit worth up to 10% of a home’s purchase price, up to a maximum of $15,000, for low-and middle-income, first-time homebuyers.

“For folks looking to put down roots in Minnesota, buying their first home is a critical step,” said Rep. Craig.“Unfortunately, that step is out of reach for too many Minnesotans – but it doesn’t have to be. The First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit Act would combat the housing crisis in our state by giving first-time homebuyers the boost they need to afford a home and invest in our communities.”

Rep. Craig has been working in Congress to combat the housing crisis and help bring homeownership within reach for Minnesotans.

Last month, she introduced legislation with Rep. Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) and others that would enable the federal government to better track and study housing loss across the country.

Her Federal Inquiry into the Nature and Documentation (FIND) of Housing Loss Act would create a joint taskforce between the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Director of the Census Bureau, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Department of Commerce and the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection to conduct the National Housing Loss Report. The taskforce would identify the types of and reasoning behind housing losses that have occurred in the U.S. since January 1, 2022. The report, which would be submitted to Congress within six months of the taskforce’s creation, would include statistical data to help lawmakers craft federal housing policy.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

KANSAS CITY, KS — Today, Representative Sharice Davids visited El Centro’s Head Start program in Kansas City, KS to meet with students, educators, and staff. During her visit, Davids read to children and spoke with faculty about the importance of affordable, reliable early childhood education — especially for working parents.

“Programs like Head Start are about more than just learning — they’re about making sure parents can go to work knowing their kids are safe, supported, and on track to succeed,” said Davids. “Decades of research has proven Head Start’s personal and economic benefits. We should be expanding access to early childhood education, not threatening the programs that make it possible for families and children to get ahead.”

Davids’ visit follows recent federal actions that have put added strain on Head Start providers. Last week, government investigators found that the Trump Administration illegally withheld Head Start funds, disrupting care for families across the country. President Trump has also floated proposals to eliminate the program altogether, calling its curriculum “radical.” Davids has pushed back against these efforts in Washington, working to protect investments that lower costs for families and support the child care workforce.

“We are thankful for Rep. Davids’ support of child care availability and for working hard to make it more affordable for all our families,” said Erica Andrade, President and CEO of El Centro. “For El Centro, our Academy for Children is a cornerstone program that provides community access to early childhood education, which is the foundation for creating lifelong learners. Our dual-language academy embraces both Spanish and English — helping children maintain their home language or exposing them to a second language — while also preparing them for kindergarten.”

El Centro’s partner, The Family Conservancy, has experienced recent federal funding cuts tied to workforce capacity issues. Despite long waitlists of Kansas families, many providers continue to face staffing shortages that limit enrollment and strain already tight budgets. Davids is working in Congress to strengthen the early education workforce and ensure programs like Head Start can continue serving Kansas families.

“Child care is essential community infrastructure, and it’s time we invest in it like our future depends on it — because it does,” said Paula Neth, President and CEO, The Family Conservancy. “We all pay the price when families struggle to find and afford care, and providers are asked to do more with less. This is more than a personal challenge — it’s a community crisis.  We’re grateful for leaders like Representative Sharice Davids who understand what’s at stake and are working to expand access for families across Kansas and beyond.”

As a first-generation college student who worked her way from Leavenworth High School to Cornell Law School, Davids understands the value of quality education for student success and our overall economy. She has long fought to protect education and child care in Kansas and has been a fierce critic of the administration’s efforts to defund and reorganize the Department of Education. She has visited multiple Head Start programs in Kansas including Kansas City Kansas Public School’s Successful Beginnings, The Family Conservancy, the University of Kansas Medical Center’s Project Eagle, and Olathe Public Schools Head Start.

   

Students in early childhood education programs are less likely to repeat grades, are 25 percent more likely to graduate high school, and are four times more likely to complete a bachelor’s degree in comparison to non-Head Start students. But long-term benefits of Head Start programs are not only limited to educational success. Children in Head Start are healthier and have better social and emotional skills. In adulthood, statistics show that former Head Start students experience greater economic stability and earn higher wages.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids urged the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Chief Tom Schultz and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought to immediately release critical federal investments owed to the Kansas Forest Service (KFS). Despite Congress approving the funding nearly five months ago, the Trump Administration has failed to distribute the resources Kansas needs to support rural fire departments, protect agriculture operations, prevent wildfires, and keep Kansans safe.

“While this administration sits on these critical investments it is required to spend, firefighters across Kansas are worried about the impact this will have across the state,” wrote Davids. “If KFS does not receive the funding it’s owed by the USFS, the agency will be forced to lay off staff and cut services that support our farmers, cool our cities, clean our air, and beautify Kansas communities.”

“We’ve all felt the pressure at KFS with the uncertainty surrounding our long-awaited funding,” said Jason Hartman, State Forester, Kansas Forester Service. “We genuinely appreciate Representative Davids’ proactive approach in seeking clarity on the situation. These funds will enable us to continue providing Kansans with the professional assistance they expect from KFS.”

KFS depends on federal funding for 60–80 percent of its annual budget. Without its federal appropriation, KFS will be forced to make drastic cuts throughout the state. The delayed funds support:

• Training for over 1,500 firefighters across the state,
• Equipment and resources for rural fire departments,
• Forest health programs for private landowners and farmers,
• Tree-planting and community forestry in cities like Overland Park, Ottawa, and De Soto,
• Invasive species detection and response.

Davids’ letter also highlights a troubling pattern under the Trump Administration:

• A proposed 35 percent cut to the U.S. Forest Service budget for fiscal year 2026,
• Public threats to use so-called ‘pocket rescissions’ to unlawfully block congressionally approved spending,
• The abrupt cancellation of a $1 million tree-planting grant for Olathe, Kansas.

According to KFS, funding that normally arrives in May or June still hasn’t come — with fewer than two months left in the fiscal year. Without immediate action, the agency could be forced to scale back or eliminate essential programs and services.

“With fewer than two months remaining in the fiscal year, the USFS must act quickly to distribute these awards before September 30 and ensure that KFS and other state forestry agencies do not suffer a lapse in services due to your delays,” continued Davids.

Davids has consistently supported bipartisan efforts to fund wildfire resilience, rural infrastructure, and environmental protection. She is now calling on the Trump Administration to stop using bureaucratic delays to sidestep Congress and deliver the resources Kansans are owed.

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS), a member of the Ho Chunk Nation of Wisconsin, alongside Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA), introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act. The bill would help improve hiring and retention for tribal law enforcement officers in Central Washington and across the United States.  

Rep. Sharice Davids said, “Tribal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve the same support and recognition as their counterparts. This bill takes a long-overdue step to cut red tape and ensure tribal officers can access the training, authority, and benefits they’ve earned. I’m proud to support this effort to strengthen public safety in tribal and rural communities alike.” 

Rep. Dan Newhouse said, “As the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis continues to plague tribal communities across the country, tribal law enforcement agencies are facing serious challenges with recruiting and retaining officers and resources. This bipartisan legislation empowers tribal law enforcement to build and maintain strong, well-trained forces who will be far better equipped to address the MMIW crisis, counter illicit drug flow, and protect tribal communities in Central Washington. I thank members of the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle who understand the scale of these challenges and are helping to lead towards a solution.” 

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez said, “I hear from law enforcement across Southwest Washington about how difficult it can be to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural communities. Our bipartisan legislation will cut down on administrative burdens and strengthen benefits for Tribal law enforcement—to ensure that sovereign Tribal Nations can keep their communities safe.” 

Senator Maria Cantwell said, “Tribes need more law enforcement officers to fight both the fentanyl and murdered and missing indigenous people epidemics and to respond to emergencies in their communities. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help tribal communities get the law enforcement resources they need to keep their communities safe.” 

Senator Markwayne Mullin said, “Tribal police departments work tirelessly to protect and serve our communities in Oklahoma and around the nation. Tribal police should receive equal treatment and resources needed for the safety of their communities without going through excessive red tape. I’m proud to join with my colleagues on this and support our Tribal law enforcement.” 

Rep. Tom Cole said, “Native American communities in the United States generally face higher crime rates than the national average. Yet, unfortunately, tribes are still facing major challenges in recruiting and retaining police officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help to improve this struggle by ensuring tribal police have the resources they need, removing administrative barriers, and giving tribal law enforcement officers under a 638 contract or compact the same federal benefits as other federal law enforcement officers. I am so proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill and would like to thank Reps. Newhouse and Gluesenkamp-Perez for their leadership on this legislation, as this is a critical issue that Congress must address.” 

Rep. Ryan Zinke said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act ensures tribal officers are treated as the equal partners they are in the fight against drug smuggling and human trafficking. By cutting red tape and giving these officers federal parity in jurisdiction, training, and benefits, we’re strengthening public safety, supporting tribal sovereignty, and honoring our commitment to the rule of law in every community.” 

Rep. Marilyn Strickland said, “It is critical for the federal government to respect tribal sovereignty and strengthen public safety. This bill will protect tribal communities and help with officer recruitment and retention.” 

Rep. John Moolenaar said, “Law enforcement officers work hard to protect their communities, and we should support them no matter what level of government they work for. Unfortunately, law enforcement officers working for Indian tribes are currently unable to enforce all our nation’s laws and cannot claim certain benefits, making it difficult for tribes to recruit officers. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act is a commonsense bill that removes barriers for tribal governments and equips them with the resources they need to enforce the law and keep their communities safe.” 

Rep. Gabe Vasquez said, “As the proud representative of seven federally recognized Tribes, I’ve heard firsthand the unique challenges Tribal law enforcement officers face in keeping their communities safe. The bipartisan Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act is a crucial step toward addressing some of these needs by delivering the federal benefits these brave officers deserve, cutting the red tape that makes it harder to recruit and retain officers, and bringing us closer to delivering the safety every Tribal community deserves.” 

This legislation is supported by the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, the Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, the Suquamish Tribe, the Hopi Tribe, and the Tulalip Tribes. 

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will:  

• Authorize tribal officers acting under a 638 contract or compact to be considered federal law enforcement officers and enforce federal law, provided they meet certain qualifications, including having completed certain training and background investigation requirements that are comparable to BIA law enforcement officers. This action would eliminate the need for Indian tribes to enter into Special Law Enforcement Commission (SLEC) agreements, which are currently required under existing for tribal officers to enforce federal law and have proven administratively burdensome for tribes to obtain.
• Treat tribal law enforcement officers acting under a 638 contract or compact as federal law enforcement officers for purposes of other federal laws, including for benefits applicable to federal law enforcement officers for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits. Tribal law enforcement officers are currently not eligible for these federal benefit programs and including tribal officers will enhance tribes’ ability to recruit and retain officers, especially in rural areas.
• Provide for the Secretary of the Interior to implement procedures for credentialing tribal officers and for the Attorney General to coordinate training and reporting activities.

See full bill text here.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Bill gives employers flexibility when recruiting, hiring, and retaining people with disabilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Today, Aviation Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX-22) and Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) released the statement below following the second meeting of the bipartisan Air Traffic Control (ATC)/National Airspace System (NAS) Modernization Working Group listening session, which is designed to foster open dialogue with a broad range of aviation industry stakeholders: 

“Today, we had a successful conversation with telecommunications providers, focused on making necessary changes to our telecommunications infrastructure within our nation’s air traffic control and national airspace system. It’s no secret that the current telecommunications technologies being used are outdated and are subject to temporary outages. This cannot continue to be the norm. 

“The discussions today provided insightful information that is part of a broader dialogue aimed at making the best updates to our nation’s air traffic control and national airspace system. We are leaning forward in the saddle and are committed to revitalizing these outdated systems. The American people deserve the best, and we are focused on delivering that for them.”

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today introduced the Standardizing Permitting and Expediting Economic Development (SPEED) Act, a bill to modernize the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose as a procedural statute for assessing the environmental impact of federal actions. 

Golden is the lead Democratic sponsor of the bill, which was submitted today by the House Natural Resources Committee Chairman, Republican Bruce Westerman (AR-04).

“Being a good steward of our environment doesn’t mean we must tolerate a yearslong permitting process that is onerous, overly complex and ripe for litigation abuse,” Golden said. “America must get back into the business of building. We need modern infrastructure. We need robust power production that does not discriminate between energy sources. These investments will create jobs, support our economy, keep prices down and help us maintain energy independence.”

“A country as advanced as the United States must be nimble enough to build what we need, when we need it. I’m proud to partner with Chairman Westerman on reforms that protect our environment while delivering the investments Americans need today, not years from now,” Golden said.

“America’s model of successful environmental stewardship alongside strong economic growth is being hobbled by a more than half-century old permitting process that is overdue for a tune-up. Although well-intentioned, the National Environmental Policy Act has not kept up with the times, which is bad for both our environment and our economy,” Westerman said. “With commonsense upgrades, we can cut red tape and enable the United States to build once again while setting the standard for environmental stewardship. The SPEED Act will help launch America into a future where we can effectively innovate and implement to revitalize our infrastructure, meet skyrocketing energy demands, lead the world in the AI race and work in harmony with our natural environment. America must lead by setting an example for the rest of the world on how to steward the environment, strengthen the economy and create the best place to live and work. The bipartisan SPEED Act is a big step in the right direction. I’d like to thank my colleague Congressman Golden for co-leading this bill, and I look forward to working with him to get it signed into law.”

BACKGROUND:

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is a procedural statute that established parameters for assessing the environmental impacts of all major federal actions and created the Council on Environmental Quality. The procedural requirements in NEPA apply to all major federal actions, including but not limited to the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, highways, ports, irrigation systems, forest management, transmission lines, energy projects, broadband and water infrastructure.

While well-intentioned, NEPA has evolved into a cumbersome and lengthy process that has increased costs and permitting timelines. Additionally, NEPA has become a tool used by special interest groups to block critical infrastructure across the country, as it is currently the most litigated environmental statute.

This litigation is most often initiated not by communities or individuals, but by national NGOs. According to the Breakthrough Institute, NGOs filed more than 70 percent of all lawsuits filed under NEPA in recent years. According to the report, litigants lose their challenges 80 percent of the time. But what they lost in court, they made up for in delays; Litigation under NEPA added an average of four years to a project’s timeline. These kinds of delays can kill a project even when the litigation against it fails.

The SPEED Act will modernize NEPA to help streamline the permitting process and return the law to its intended purpose. The bill will shorten permitting timelines and reduce the frequency of frivolous litigation. This legislation will simplify the analysis required in NEPA documents, thereby easing the burden on agencies. The bill will also clarify when NEPA is triggered by clarifying the definition of “Major Federal Action.” Lastly, the bill will establish judicial review limitations for NEPA claims, including a 150-day deadline for filing claims, a new standard of review and the elimination of procedural moves that stop projects from moving forward.

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