MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Bowling Green, KY – In a new op-ed in the Courier Journal, House Committee on Energy and Commerce Chairman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) set the record straight on how the One Big, Beautiful Bill strengthens Medicaid for the Kentuckians the program is intended to serve: mothers, children, seniors, and people with disabilities. 

Brett Guthrie: Here’s the truth: The One Big, Beautiful Bill actually strengthens Medicaid
The Courier Journal
Chairman Brett Guthrie
July 29, 2025

“Earlier this year, President Trump tasked Congress with developing a bill that enacts his domestic policy agenda and kickstarts the American economy.

“This piece of legislation, known as the One Big, Beautiful Bill, was signed into law by the president on July 4, 2025. It accomplished its goal of providing tax relief for Kentucky families, securing our border, investing in our military readiness, unleashing American energy and strengthening Medicaid for our most vulnerable Americans.

“In Congress, I am honored to serve as the chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. At the onset of the work on the One Big, Beautiful Bill, we were tasked with finding $880 billion in savings from our committee’s jurisdiction.

“The final version of the One Big, Beautiful Bill includes over $1 trillion in savings from my committee’s jurisdiction. To accomplish this, we worked to eliminate reckless Green New Deal environmental regulations, promote American energy dominance and eliminate waste, fraud and abuse within the Medicaid program.

“As you may have seen in the news over the past few weeks, my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have spread misinformation about this bill, claiming that it is a disaster for Kentucky families. That’s simply untrue.

“Let’s take a moment to address a few of the false narratives that have been spread to scare the American people.

“Allegation: Single mothers, children, seniors and people with disabilities will lose access to health care.

“Truth: The Medicaid provisions included in the One, Big Beautiful Bill ensure our most vulnerable Americans continue receiving the support they need. It strengthens the program by removing deceased recipients from the Medicaid rolls, requiring states to conduct more frequent eligibility checks for the expansion population, ensuring that individuals are not enrolled in multiple states and enacting commonsense work requirements for able-bodied Americans who choose not to work. Additionally, our bill expands access to Home and Community Based Services for low-income seniors and individuals living with a disability.

“Allegation: Work requirements are a “ruse” to force people off Medicaid.

“Truth: According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, there are 4.8 million able-bodied adults currently on Medicaid who choose not to work. A survey showed this population spends roughly 184 hours a month watching television and socializing- that’s 50% higher than employed beneficiaries.

“Our bill enacts basic work requirements to require individuals to be employed, participate in job training, go to school or volunteer in their communities for just 20 hours per week to receive Medicaid. Notably, the One Big, Beautiful Bill exempts people aged under 19 or over 65, pregnant women, tribal members, caregivers of children and seniors with disabilities and parents with dependents under 15. I believe most people would agree it’s appropriate to expect able-bodied, unemployed adults on Medicaid to work or give back to their communities to receive fully subsidized health insurance.

“Kentuckians’ support for these policies is strong, as this year, the Kentucky General Assembly voted overwhelmingly to overturn Gov. Andy Beshear’s veto and institute a similar state-level work requirement.

“Allegation: Over 35 Kentucky hospitals are at risk of closing as a direct result of this bill.

“Truth: The allegation that 35 rural hospitals will close is a blatant mischaracterization at best. This number stems from a list of hospitals that generally receive high levels of Medicaid funding or experienced three consecutive years of negative total profit margin.

“This claim fails to mention the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program created by the bill to support rural health providers care for their patients. This will bolster funding for our most vulnerable hospitals and allow them to keep serving their communities.

“Our legislation eliminates restrictive Biden-Harris era state requirements, forcing ineligible individuals to remain enrolled, and lifts Americans out of poverty by encouraging reentry into the workforce. By cutting top-down mandates, we refocus Medicaid dollars to cover the most vulnerable and give states’ budgets the ability to further invest in hospitals.

“Spending in the Medicaid program continues to chart an unsustainable path, growing at twice the rate of inflation between 2018 and 2023. If not addressed, the program will no longer have the capacity to serve its intended purpose. In order to preserve this safety net for generations to come, Republicans have committed to policies that empower states to care for our most vulnerable Americans — pregnant women, children, individuals living with a disability and low-income seniors.

“The One Big, Beautiful Bill is a commonsense win that strengthens Medicaid for Kentucky’s most vulnerable, and I’m proud to have supported its passage.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Congressman Herb Conaway Jr., MD (D-NJ) led six Members of Congress in a letter to Secretary Hegseth, Secretary Noem, and Acting Director Lyons, demanding clarification and expressing opposition regarding the plan to house undocumented immigrants on the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

“Given the limited information provided, we believe further transparency is necessary to ensure Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst’s (JBMDL) mission readiness is not compromised,” wrote the lawmakers. “JBMDL is a critical power projection platform and must not be politicized as part of this administration’s immigration agenda. Despite outreach, our requests for meetings with the Deputy Secretary of Defense and Acting Administrator of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement remain unanswered.”

The lawmakers requested a prompt briefing and written response to the following topics by August 15, 2025: 

1. Timeline for Operations
2. Facility Construction and Base Operations
3. Reimbursement and Funding
4. Detainee Qualifications and Care
5. Coordination with Local Authorities

The letter was cosigned by Reps: Josh Gottheimer, Frank Pallone, Nellie Pou, Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, and Bonnie Watson Coleman.

For a copy of the letter click here. 

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

MIAMI, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Member of the Defense Subcommittee on House Appropriations, attended the ceremonial coin laying held by U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM) and U.S. Army Garrison-Miami (USAG-Miami) to officially commemorate the new Department of Defense’s Military Housing complex to support SOUTHCOM service members and their families.

“Today, we marked an important milestone for the brave men and women serving at SOUTHCOM and their families with the coin laying in the cornerstone brick, a time-honored military tradition. This is the first military housing of its kind in South Florida since Hurricane Andrew destroyed the military housing at Homestead Air Force Base in 1992. Through crucial cross-agency collaboration with Admiral (Ret.) Craig S. Faller, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the Army, I’m proud to have played a significant role in identifying the land to provide quality housing for military families.

“I remain committed to tirelessly championing our military, and I look forward to continuing this vital work alongside Admiral Alvin Holsey in the completion of this housing complex.”

Background

The ceremonial coin laying is a longstanding military tradition that involves placing commemorative coins into the foundation of future housing developments, symbolizing good fortune and prosperity for the families who will call the community home. The coins will be sealed with epoxy and embedded into the foundation of the community gazebo area.

Key Highlights:

• Of the 139 homes planned for the project, vertical construction began in late June and will include the first phase, composed of 60 two-bedroom casitas for unaccompanied soldiers. Expected occupancy to begin in January of 2027.
• Next delivery will include 48 townhomes, with occupancy expected in February 2027.
• Following the townhomes will be 24 duplexes and seven single-family homes, expected to be ready for occupancy in May of 2027.
• The final amenities to be delivered will include a community center, dog park, playground, and splash park.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, issued the following statement after the House Appropriations Committee’s approval of the proposed fiscal year 2026 funding legislation:

“As Chairman of the Subcommittee that funds U.S. national security interests abroad, I am pleased that the FY 2026 funding bill, building on prior triumphs, was approved by the House Appropriations Committee. Together, we’re advancing President Trump’s America First foreign policy, delivering a 22 percent reduction in funding compared to the enacted levels for FY 2025, while further strengthening the national security of the United States.

“This bill reinforces President Trump’s vision of Peace Through Strength by restoring American leadership, standing in strong solidarity with our allies, advancing freedom, and confronting the malign forces that threaten U.S. national security and endanger American lives.

“I thank Chairman Tom Cole for his leadership and my colleagues for advancing a bill that focuses on effective, accountable priorities that strengthen U.S. national security.”

FISCAL YEAR 2026 NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Bill (NSRP) provides a total discretionary allocation of $46.218 billion, which is $13.13 billion (22%) below the Fiscal Year 2025 enacted level, $5.5 billion below the House-passed FY25 NSRP bill, and delivers on the America First agenda.

Within the total cuts, the NSRP bill maintains robust funding for our allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan and counters adversaries like the Communist People’s Republic of China, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and drug cartels, including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill supports the President’s vision to refocus and realign foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while ensuring all funds are spent consistent with relevant Executive Orders.

Champions America First Foreign Policy by:

• Redefining foreign assistance to promote self-sufficiency for U.S. allies and partners, bolster economic growth and stability, and protect our national security.
• Creating the America First Opportunity Fund to ensure the Secretary of State has the flexibility to respond quickly to unforeseen opportunities and advance the America First foreign policy agenda.
• Requiring consideration of a country’s cooperation on United States priorities such as migration issues, opposing foreign adversaries, burden sharing, and United Nations votes in determining economic assistance allocations.
• Prioritizing United States commercial interests.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

• Upholding America First priorities by promoting a foreign policy that supports our allies, counters our adversaries, focuses on economic prosperity and national security, and eliminates contributions to multilateral organizations that are wasteful and antithetical to American values.
• Supporting President Trump’s executive orders to ensure no wasteful spending on DEI or woke programming, climate change mandates, or divisive gender ideologies.
• Allowing only the American flag and other official government flags to be flown over U.S. embassies.
• Prohibiting funds for irresponsible migration, endorsing President Trump’s executive orders on border and migration.
• Encouraging the Secretary of State to consider how countries are cooperating, or not cooperating, on migration matters when deciding how to allocate foreign assistance.
• Prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States. 

Protects life, supports American values, and enhances our standing in the world by:

• Protecting long-standing pro-life provisions as well as enhancing oversight and transparency over program implementation to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not fund abortions.
• Removing vague references to “gender” and clearly outlines our support for women and girls.
• Supporting religious freedom programs abroad and religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations delivering foreign aid.
• Defending United States sovereignty by prohibiting funds for the Arms Trade Treaty, and protecting the Second Amendment rights of Americans.
• Banning “disinformation” and “misinformation” programs that violate the free speech rights of American citizens.

 Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

• Providing robust assistance to Egypt and Jordan, two key U.S. partners.
• Including $500 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees for Taiwan in order to strengthen deterrence efforts in the Taiwan Strait.
• Fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million.
• Providing $1.8 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific and to counter the PRC’s malign influence.
• Prohibiting funds for the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party, specifically prohibiting funds for countries to repay debts owed to China, prohibiting support for academic institutions partnering in STEM programs with colleges or universities in China controlled by the PRC or CCP, and prohibiting funds for international financial institutions generating loans to the PRC.
• Prohibiting assistance to individuals or entities that support, finance, or facilitate the operations or commercial activities of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Ministry of the Interior, or their affiliates.
• Including funding that prioritizes efforts by the State Department to counter narcotics trafficking that impacts the United States.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars, preserves core functions, and cuts wasteful spending by:

• Prioritizing fiscal sanity and the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse by strategically investing in partners to help them achieve durable and sustainable goals in the United States national security interest.
• Supporting efforts to reduce duplication, eliminate siloes, and streamline foreign policy under the direction of the Secretary of State to support a nimble and effective Department.
• Eliminating funding for unauthorized programs, organizations, or functions.
• Eliminating funding for Biden-era executive orders on climate, gender, DEI, and extraneous or irrelevant programs that diluted the mission of America’s foreign policy.
• Including a new directive to the Secretary of State to establish a strategy for transitioning PEPFAR programs off of United States assistance.
• Consolidating and reducing the number of assistance accounts to facilitate efficient, strategic allocation of funds for programs that support United States national security interests.
• Prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas.
• Refocusing attention on critical diplomatic functions, such as addressing passport applications and ensuring the safety and security of our embassies.
• Prohibiting funding to the multilateral Green Climate Fund and the Clean Technology Fund.
• Prohibiting funding to the United Nations Human Rights Council.
• Eliminating the United Nations regular budget and other unaccountable and ineffective international organizations.
• Prohibiting funding for iVerify and other United Nations “fact checking” programs.
• Prohibiting funding to the World Health Organization.

Standing with our friend and ally, Israel by:

• Providing unwavering support for Israel by including no less than $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.
• Prohibiting funding for the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).
• Prohibiting funding for the UN Secretariat until conditions for accountability are met for UNRWA staff implicated in the October 7 Hamas terrorist attack in Israel that killed over 1,200 people including American citizens.
• Prohibiting funding for the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel, International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice.
• Prohibiting funding for the United Nations Special Rapporteurs.

Promotes freedom and democracy while safeguarding U.S. taxpayer dollars by:

• Promoting freedom in the Western Hemisphere:
• $35 million for democracy programs for Cuba;
• $50 million for democracy programs for Venezuela;
• $15 million for democracy and religious programs for Nicaragua.
• $40 million for the operations of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting (Radio and TV Marti).
• Prohibiting funds to prevent the removal of Cuba from the list of State Sponsors of Terrorism and to prevent the removal of entities from the Cuba Restricted List.
• Prohibiting funds for countries and organizations that continue benefitting from the trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, while directing the Secretary of State to deny visa entry into the United States to any government and international organization officials involved in the exploitation of Cuban doctors.
• Placing strict conditions on funding and requiring a pre-obligation report for Colombia, reducing non-military assistance by 50 percent due to the Petro Administration’s failure to align with United States interests and worsening security conditions—including an attempted assassination of a political opposition leader—while still maintaining continuous support for counter-narcotics efforts.
• Requiring that foreign assistance be directed to countries in the Western Hemisphere that act as allies and implement foreign and domestic policies which are consistent with United States values and security interests.
• Requiring a report from the Administration about efforts in Haiti and encouraging the incorporation of locally led organizations in their approach to the multi-layered crisis.
• Increases funding and strategic focus toward allies in the Hemisphere, including Costa Rica and the Dominican Republic, which are working on common goals to combat narcotics trafficking, fight international crime, control migration, and counter anti-American threats.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Bill report is available here.

Chairman Diaz-Balart’s opening remarks from today can be found here.

Click here to watch the Full Committee Markup.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26) delivered the following opening remarks during the House Appropriations Committee Full Markup.

Chairman Díaz-Balart’s opening remarks as prepared for delivery:

“I am pleased to present the Fiscal Year 2026 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs appropriations bill to the full committee for consideration and approval.  Let me thank Chairman Cole for his essential leadership at the helm of the Appropriations Committee and for his wisdom in refocusing this subcommittee, starting by changing the name, to better reflect that the investments made on behalf of the American people are to advance U.S. national security. 

“I also want to thank Ranking Member Frankel and Ranking Member DeLauro, and all the members of the subcommittee for your partnership in developing this bill. 

“The bill before us today delivers on President Trump’s America First agenda. First, we drastically reduce spending by cutting 22 percent from the enacted level. The greatest threat to our country’s stability and security is our debt, and this bill decisively, but responsibly, reins in spending. These cuts are in addition to the 6 percent cut achieved in the final enacted version of the FY24 State-Foreign Operations Act, which was carried forward in the CR. 

“Within the remaining funds, the bill prioritizes our national security, especially in the Western Hemisphere, the Middle East, and the Indo-Pacific. It provides unwavering support for Israel and fully funds the United States-Israel Memorandum of Understanding by providing $3.3 billion in security assistance to allow Israel to defend herself from existential threats.  Other key partners and allies in the Middle East, such as Egypt and Jordan, are strongly supported. 

“The bill includes funding and conditions to confront the national security threat posed by the Chinese Communist Party, including through a new provision that prohibits support for academic institutions partnering in STEM programs with PRC- or CCP-controlled colleges in Communist China, continues to prohibit foreign assistance from being used to repay loans to the PRC, and many other key limitations on funding regarding the PRC. 

“$500 million in foreign military financing and up to $2 billion in loans and loan guarantees are provided for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait.  Strong support is also provided for other key partners in the Indo-Pacific such as the Philippines and the Pacific Islands countries. 

“This bill continues important investments to combat the trafficking of fentanyl and the transnational criminal organizations behind the scourge of drug addiction confronting every community in America. 

“The bill creates the America First Opportunity Fund, which will enhance United States leverage abroad and enable a rapid response to crises. It also creates the National Security Investment Programs account, a new account that facilitates efficient, strategic deployment of programs that support United States national security interests. Together, this realignment of resources ensures that our foreign policy is focused on making Americans safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

“Critically important, the bill maintains all long-standing pro-life provisions alongside enhanced oversight and transparency measures to ensure American taxpayer dollars do not fund abortions, a policy that Americans overwhelmingly support.  

“This bill makes clear that the days of a weak American foreign policy are over. Funding is cut, conditioned, or withheld to countries that are no longer advancing shared interests, such as: Colombia, due to the Petro Administration’s abject failures in preventing political violence, creating economic deterioration, and emboldening transnational criminals; South Africa, unless it ceases cooperation with our adversaries and upholds the rule of law; and Mexico, until it meets the requirements on water deliveries to the United States in accordance with the terms of the 1944 Water Treaty. 

“The bill also blocks assistance to anyone that supports, finances, or facilitates the operations of the Cuban Ministry of the Revolutionary Armed Forces or Ministry of the Interior. I am grateful President Trump and Secretary Rubio used language I included in the fiscal year 2024 bill to sanction anti-American thugs in the Cuban regime who work closely with American adversaries. 

“The bill demands unprecedented accountability of the United Nations and other international organizations. It brings greater scrutiny to the actions of member states, including their voting records at the United Nations, in determining the allocation of funding.

“No funds are included for the United Nations Regular Budget, and funds are prohibited to: the World Health Organization, the United Nations Commission of Inquiry against Israel, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), the United Nations Human Rights Council, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice. 

“Furthermore, the bill includes a new provision to demand justice for victims murdered in the October 7 terrorist attacks, including American citizens, by requiring full accountability for the UNRWA staff involved in this vicious attack. 

“These are just a few examples of how this bill strengthens national security and supports an America First foreign policy. But there’s more. 

“The bill prohibits funds for controversial or ineffective programs that Americans do not support and our allies and partners don’t need. The bill supports full implementation of key Trump Administration Executive Orders that reflect a clear commitment to national sovereignty, secure borders, limited government, and American values, including those related to restoring free speech and ending censorship; ending DEI programs; and many others.  

“I would note that many of these limitations were carried in the last two House-passed State-foreign operations bills, and for good reason. I was pleased to see President Trump embrace these policies through Executive Orders in the early days of his Administration.

“Let’s face it—it was no secret that the Biden Administration was funding controversial, wasteful programs, and even programs that were harmful to our national security.  I sounded the alarm, publicly and privately. I raised it in every hearing. We debated it extensively during our markups, as I’m sure we will again today. 

“The sad reality is that funds were being used to fund drag shows, DEI hiring, and even labs of the Communist Chinese Party.  I hope we can all agree now that these prohibitions are needed, or we risk losing the American people’s support for these important investments. Americans must be reassured that funds in this bill will promote our national security.  

“Throughout this process the goal is to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars, represent our constituents’ priorities in foreign assistance, and, above all, protect United States national security. This bill would not be what it is without the valuable input from each Member on this panel. Your thoughtful recommendations have shaped the measure before you and I am grateful for your contributions.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, the House Appropriations Committee Chairman, Tom Cole, and Vice Chair Mario Díaz-Balart, Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, the Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP), will lead the full committee markup at 10:00 AM ET.

Items to be considered:

Click here to watch live.

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

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joe Neguse sent a letter to the Chairman of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Paul Atkins, calling for the agency to conduct oversight on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)’s alleged recent utilization of no-bid contracts. 

Since the implementation of Donald Trump’s mass deportation policies, ICE has reportedly cited “compelling urgency” for thousands more detention beds as the reason for entering deals with private prison firms without seeking competitive bids. But public reporting on these deals suggests that on more than one occasion this process has allowed for the direct awarding of contracts to politically connected corporations, making it imperative that the SEC conduct appropriate oversight to ensure the American public is protected from potential bad actors. 

Neguse’s letter was co-led by Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration, Integrity, Security, and Enforcement; Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee; and Bennie Thompson, Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Committee. 

“As the Trump Administration has continued to solicit publicly traded companies to operate detention facilities for immigration enforcement—contracts worth tens of millions of dollars—we, the undersigned, believe that there is an increased need for close oversight by the SEC, in addition to other government accountability measures. Specifically, we believe that it is imperative for the SEC to adequately oversee the timely and accurate disclosure of material information from these companies. Given the speed and opaque nature of these contracts, there is a heightened need to monitor and oversee the release of material information related to these no-bid contracts,” wrote the Members of Congress. 

The lawmakers also pointed out that this responsibility has fallen upon the SEC, after the Trump Administration undermined the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)’s ability to police itself, gutting congressionally required support for watchdog offices and restricting Members of Congress from conducting oversight at detention facilities. 

“It is your duty to uphold the mission of the SEC: protecting and facilitating a fair and efficient markets for investors. We request you to defend that charge and in so doing, consider whether to investigate publicly traded private immigration detention facilities,” concluded the Members of Congress. 

This letter is the latest in a series of efforts championed by Democratic lawmakers pushing back against the administration’s aggressive and inhumane tactics to deport migrants. 

Click HERE to read the full letter. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), the most senior Jewish member of the House of Representatives, delivered the following remarks at the Jews Cry Out: Let Food into Gaza Rally in New York: 

“Thank you to my Rabbi, Rabbi Roly Matalon, for that kind introduction.

Before I begin, I want to recognize all of the New York elected officials, Rabbis, Jewish organizational leaders, and other here with us. Thank you for being here.

I am honored to join you today to echo three key messages that we must demand from the Israeli government and our own government immediately: we must demand they bring the hostages home; we must demand they end the war in Gaza; and we must demand they surge humanitarian assistance to the starving people of Gaza.

As all of us know too well, October 7th was the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the Holocaust. For many of us, time stopped on that day and will not resume until every hostage returns home from brutal Hamas captivity.

I am outraged that Prime Minister Netanyahu has continued to play politics with his own citizens’ lives. Whether by sabotaging hostage negotiations or dragging out Israel’s military campaign in Gaza to prevent a long-awaited ceasefire—Netanyahu has consistently placed his own political future above the wellbeing of the hostages and innocent civilians.

Last month, Brigadier General Asaf Agmon and Colonel Uri Arad, two former Israeli Air Force pilots, published an open letter in which they wrote, that “as the war in Gaza dragged on, it became clear that it was losing its strategic and security purposes and instead served primarily the political and personal interests of the government.”

As these former military leaders suggest, Netanyahu’s ever-changing definition of victory will never be achieved, and defeating Hamas is no longer the actual objective. In fact, 9 months ago, then-IDF Chief of Staff Herzel Halevi said that Israel had already achieved all of its military objectives and that time was ripe for an agreement to end the war. We should no longer entertain Netanyahu’s ever-shifting goalposts and constant gaslighting of the public.

Let’s be clear: the main obstacle to ending the war and bringing the hostages home is the pathologically narcissistic, monomaniacal politics of one man: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Just four months ago, the Israel Democracy Institute conducted a poll that showed nearly 75% of Israelis believe that Netanyahu should resign. The Israeli public no longer has faith in their leader, and while, as Americans, we do not vote in Israeli elections, Prime Minister Netanyahu has been clear on many occasions that he believes he represents the entire Jewish world. So, as a Jew, I say clearly that I believe that Benjamin Netanyahu is the worst leader in Jewish history since the Maccabean king who open the gates of Jerusalem to the Romans almost 2100 years ago.

In the past days and weeks, Prime Minister Netanyahu’s reign has brought horrific new images to our screens. Scenes of hunger and devastation, famine and drought, displacement and disease, ruin and despair have consumed mainstream media, feeding into our 24-hour news cycle—and all of it presented as if it is breaking news.

Like many of us, I have been heartened by the scores of new voices who have spoken out as a result of this renewed focus. But let us be clear: the Gazan civilian pain, suffering, and starvation that we are all witnessing in the press is not new. Many of us have been speaking out and demanding an increase in humanitarian assistance since the beginning of the war almost 22 months ago. Six months after October 7th, I spoke at a rally not far from here in Manhattan. In my remarks I called for more humanitarian aid to Gaza, and some in our Jewish community booed. But many of us here today knew then what the world is seeing now: that additional aid was vital in the effort to prevent the crisis and disaster the world is witnessing today. We also knew then that a prolonged conflict in Gaza was a recipe for a humanitarian disaster. And today we are witnessing the consequences.

While Prime Minister Netanyahu deserves tremendous blame for the situation today, unfortunately, there is another authoritarian-aspiring leader who has made matters worse: Donald Trump.

The Trump administration’s actions have substantively and significantly exacerbated the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They have done so by seeking to uproot the admittedly imperfect but nonetheless effective assistance delivery system designed and supervised by the Biden Administration, and implement its own shady and potentially corrupt organization. Trump’s Gaza Humanitarian Fund, or GHF, has been accused of heinous and abhorrent conduct. Earlier this month, two private contractors employed by GHF came forward as whistleblowers to the Associated Press. They detailed the use of live ammunition, stun grenades, and pepper spray regularly fired into crowds of desperate and hungry Palestinians at GHF aid distribution sites, resulting in injuries and deaths.

Last week, a group of over 30 democratic nations issued a statement saying the GHF’s “aid delivery model is dangerous, fuels instability and deprives Gazans of human dignity.” The statement cited that over 800 Palestinians have been killed while seeking aid at GHF sites. A UNICEF spokesperson added, “these are not humanitarians, they are people with guns.”

All of this after the Trump State Department rushed $30 million to GHF, waiving nine mandatory counterterrorism and anti-fraud safeguards, and overriding 58 objections from USAID staff. These objections included raising serious concerns about GHF’s lack of experience, weak internal controls, and safety protocols.

I believe in an all-of-the-above approach. If the GHF can massively reform and allay all concerns of corruption, impropriety, bias, and perpetuating violence on the ground, I believe that it can theoretically be part of the assistance efforts in Gaza— but that cannot be at the cost of the well-established NGO and UN channel.

The innocent civilians of Gaza are running out of time. While bureaucrats in Washington, Brussels, Abu Dhabi, and Jerusalem discuss the problem over teleconference in air-conditioned buildings, the people of Gaza are starving.

We have a choice: we can stand up and fight against the prevailing winds further entrenching war and hunger, or we can lay back and feel the breeze pass us by— pretending we can’t hear the screams of millions of innocent Gazan civilians between the rustles of the trees.

I pray that we all make the right choice.

Jewish tradition is clear about the importance of feeding the hungry among us. Pirkei Avot 3:17 teaches us, .אִ ם אֵ ין קֶמַ ח, אֵ ין תּוֹרָ ה. אִ ם אֵ ין תּוֹרָ ה, אֵ ין קֶמַ ח. If there is no sustenance, there is no Torah. If there is no Torah, there is no sustenance.

Let us ensure that those all over the world, and especially those living under Jewish dominion, live a life where they need-not struggle to be full of sustenance, so that we all may live a life full of Torah.

Thank you.”

Representative Nadler’s full remarks at the Jews Cry Out: Let Food into Gaza Rally in New York can be watched here and read here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent a letter to Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy expressing concern and requesting answers about new detections of dioxane spreading from the Gelman plume. 

“Recent sampling by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) and the Washtenaw County Health Department (WCHD) raises concern that the plume may be continuing to spread, now contaminating at least 52 residential drinking water wells, including six new detections in 2025,” Dingell writes. “These new detections bring the contamination closer to the Huron River and Barton Pond, which provide drinking water to Ann Arbor.”

“Out of 117 private wells tested this year, 47 showed detectable levels of dioxane, indicating the contamination is more widespread than previously understood,” Dingell continues.“Experts have warned that the 4th Amended Consent Judgment has failed to contain the plume, that current cleanup efforts are insufficient, and that Michigan’s cleanup level of 7.2 parts-per-billion (ppb) is not protective.”

“As you know, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) proposed adding the Gelman site to the Superfund National Priorities List in March 2024. However, the site was not included due to a high volume of public comments requiring further review and response,” Dingell concludes. “While I understand the need for thorough consideration, the ongoing spread of this plume into a major urban area’s drinking water supplies demands urgent and coordinated action at the federal, state, and local levels.”

Dingell requested answers to the following questions: 

• What is EGLE’s current assessment of the plume’s location, rate of migration, and risks to private wells, the Huron River, and Barton Pond?
• What actions is EGLE taking to protect residents’ drinking water and monitor further contamination?
• Does EGLE plan to adopt the more sensitive EPA Method 522 (detection limit of 0.12 ppb) in future testing to ensure early detection?
• How will the state improve communication of health risks to residents, given that any detectable level of dioxane is classified by EPA as likely carcinogenic to humans?

View the full text of the letter here.