Rep. Kelly Condemns Partisan Funding Bill as Blank Check to Trump, Musk

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Republican funding bill:

“We are in unprecedented times. Republicans in Congress just handed President Donald Trump spending power on a silver platter. While House Democrats were united in voting no, I’m extremely disappointed with my colleagues in the U.S. Senate who decided not to stop the Republican funding bill and for not offering the American people another option. Trump will gleefully sign the partisan spending bill, which has no guardrails, checks and balances, or protections for the American people. Trump and Elon Musk will move full speed ahead with their agenda that jeopardizes Social Security, takes away healthcare, and slashes veterans’ benefits. They will divert funds to enrich their friends, while doing nothing to lower the costs of living for families just trying to make ends meet.”

Rep. Kelly voted no on the partisan funding bill Tuesday.

Reps. Kelly, Frost Lead Letter to Trump Demanding to Reopen White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) led a letter with 67 of their colleagues to President Donald Trump demanding that he reopen the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (WHOGVP). President Trump abruptly closed the Office less than 24 hours into his second term.

The efforts of WHOGVP focused on fighting the root causes of gun violence and responding to emergencies,” members wrote in the letter. “We understand that your administration has reservations about firearm regulation; however, WHOGVP was primarily focused on addressing causes of gun violence unrelated to firearm ownership. If you decide to reopen WHOGVP, the focus can remain on emergency response and community violence intervention programs that complement law enforcement’s efforts to reduce and prevent violence in communities. 

Gun violence remains a significant concern in our nation, with more than 300 Americans being shot every day. The elimination of this office threatens to reverse the progress we have made in reducing gun-related incidents and undermines the safety of our communities.”

Gun homicides rose by 34% under Trump’s first administration. Reps. Kelly and Frost also held a press conference yesterday with community violence intervention leaders to defend gun safety policies and funding.

Read the full letter here.

Rep. Kelly Defends Community Violence Intervention Programs, Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Kelly held a press conference with CVI leaders, Reps. Frost, Horsford

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) spoke out today in defense of community violence intervention (CVI) programs, which are proven practices to reduce gun violence and build safer communities. She was joined by: Reps. Maxwell Frost (FL-10) and Steven Horsford (NV-04); Gregory Jackson, former Executive Director of White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention and national CVI advocate; and Dr. Chico Tillmon, Executive Director of the Community Violence Intervention Leadership Academy (CVILA) with the University of Chicago Crime Lab.

“House Republicans and President Donald Trump must not lay a finger on CVI funding and gun safety policies,” said. Rep. Kelly. “The partisan bill that was just passed by House Republicans yesterday gives Trump and Elon Musk permission to roll back CDC and NIH research funding into gun violence, despite Congress prioritizing this work in the past. CVI workers save lives from gun violence every day and offers a brighter future. I will not stand by as the gun lobby tries to claw its way back to power and strip away the good work we did during the Biden Administration.”

Participants with CVILA include 31 CVI leaders from over 20 cities across the country. 

CVI initiatives are an evidence-based approach to reducing gun violence. Across the country, CVI leaders—many of whom have direct experience with the impact of violence—are using data-driven strategies to intervene, de-escalate conflicts, and prevent violence before it occurs.

Representative Thomas Massie to Host 2025 U.S. Service Academy Day

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Crescent Springs, KY- Representative Thomas Massie announces that he will host his annual “Academy Day” event on Saturday, April 26th at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, KY. On “Academy Day” interested students of all ages and their parents have the chance to meet with Service Academy representatives to learn more about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy, known collectively as the U.S. Service Academies. More information about the program, including answers to “Frequently Asked Questions,” can be found at this link
 
By attending a U.S. Service Academy, young men and women have the opportunity to serve their country while improving all facets of their character through a rigorous scholastic curriculum and a disciplined moral and physical regimen. Competition for admission to a Service Academy is high, and nominees are chosen based on several factors including character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities.

Any high school student who is interested in learning more about attending a U.S. Service Academy is encouraged to attend “Academy Day” and should RSVP at this link.

 
CONGRESSMAN MASSIE’S ANNUAL U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY DAY

Date:        Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time:       Registration 10:00 AM -11:00 AM
                 Program 11:00 AM -12:30 PM

Where:    Marriott Cincinnati Airport
                 2395 Progress Drive
                 Hebron, KY 41048
 
For more information, please contact Representative Massie’s Northern Kentucky District Office by calling 859-426-0080.

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Rep. Massie Introduces Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act to “End the Fed”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of H.R. 1846, the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. Rep. Massie’s legislation abolishes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks. It also repeals the Federal Reserve Act, the 1913 law that created the Federal Reserve System. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) leads the companion bill in the United States Senate, S. 869.

“Americans have suffered under crippling inflation, and the Federal Reserve is to blame,” said Rep. Massie. “During COVID, the Federal Reserve created trillions of dollars out of thin air and loaned it to the Treasury Department to enable unprecedented deficit spending. By monetizing the debt, the Federal Reserve devalued the dollar and enabled free money policies that caused high inflation.”

“Monetizing debt is a closely coordinated effort between the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Congress, Big Banks, and Wall Street,” Rep. Massie continued. “Through this process, retirees see their savings evaporate due to the actions of a central bank pursuing inflationary policies that benefit the wealthy and connected. If we really want to reduce inflation, the most effective policy is to end the Federal Reserve.”

“The Federal Reserve has not only failed to achieve its mandate, it has become an economic manipulator, directly contributing to the financial instability many Americans face today,” said Sen. Lee. “We need to protect our economic future, end the monetization of federal debt that fuels unchecked federal spending, and put American money on solid ground. We need to End the Fed.”

The text of Rep. Massie’s H.R. 1846 is available at this link.

Original cosponsors of Rep. Massie’s legislation include Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). 

The Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act was first introduced by former Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in 1999 and hasn’t been reintroduced since 2013.

In addition to introducing this legislation to “End the Fed,” Rep. Massie has also introduced H.R. 24, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2025 to audit the Federal Reserve. H.R. 24 was originally introduced by former Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in 2009.

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Representative Massie Reintroduces Bill Allowing Voting-Age Adults to Purchase Handguns

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, DC- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the reintroduction of the “Second Amendment For Every Registrable Voter Act” (SAFER Voter Act), H.R. 1643. The SAFER Voter Act would repeal the federal law that prevents voting-age adults, ages 18 to 20, from purchasing a handgun from a Federal Firearms License (FFL) holder.

“Why should a 20-year-old single mom be denied the right to defend herself and her children?” asks Representative Massie. “18, 19, and 20-year-olds are considered adults and can vote on important public policy issues. They can also form business contracts, get married, and serve in the military. As adults, these Americans should not be deprived of basic constitutional rights.”

The Gun Owners of America (GOA), a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to protecting the right to keep and bear arms without compromise, has endorsed Massie’s legislation. “The current 18 to 20-year-oldhandgun ban says that the Second Amendment is a second-class right, relegated to the backwaters of the Constitution.  Gun-grabbers believe that if they can disarm young people in the years prior to turning 21, they can discourage and depress gun ownership for a new generation of Americans. That’s why Rep. Thomas Massie’s SAFER Voter Act is so important because it restores the right of young adults to purchase handguns for self-defense,” said Aidan Johnston, GOA’s Director of Federal Affairs.

The SAFER Voter Act has earned the support of the National Association for Gun Rights (NAGR). “The right to keep and bear arms is non-negotiable for all law-abiding adults. Denying 18-, 19-, and 20-year-olds the ability to purchase a handgun based solely on age is blatant discrimination and an outright attack on their constitutional rights. Any Member of Congress who truly supports the Second Amendment must immediately co-sponsor the SAFER Voter Act—no excuses,” said Hunter King, NAGR’s Director of Political Affairs.

The SAFER Voter Act’s original co-sponsors include Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Andrew Clyde (R-GA), Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX),  Rep. Victoria Spartz (R-IN), and Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX).  

Representative Massie is the Co-Chairman of the Second Amendment Caucus in the 119th Congress. 

The text of H.R. 1643 is available at this embedded link

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Rep. Massie Introduces Legislation to End Taxpayer-Funded Censorship Programs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie announces the introduction of H.R. 1233, legislation designed to prohibit the expenditure of taxpayer funds on programs that censor the free speech of Americans.  

“Were it not for Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter, claims of government censorship of online speech would be dismissed,” said Rep. Massie. “However, after purchasing the company, Mr. Musk released internal documents known as the ‘Twitter Files’ that showed the government colludes with private companies and universities to violate the First Amendment. The government’s censorship efforts even extended to accurate tweets I posted to my official congressional Twitter account.”

“If a Member of Congress’s account can be censored on the pretext of combatting ‘misinformation’, ‘disinformation’, or ‘malinformation’, it can be done to anyone’s account,” Rep. Massie continued. “Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was correct when he told me that the term ‘malinformation’ is used ‘to describe information that Facebook and Twitter and the other social media sites understood was true that the White House and other federal agencies wanted to censor anyway for political reasons because it challenged official orthodoxies.’ My legislation will end taxpayer funding for programs the federal government uses to censor speech.”

H.R. 1233 prevents taxpayer funds from being spent by any federal department or agency on “disinformation research grants.” In addition, the legislation eliminates funding for specific programs within the National Science Foundation that the Select Subcommittee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government previously identified as key to the federal government’s censorship efforts.

Original cosponsors of Rep. Massie’s legislation include Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Warren Davidson (R-OH), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX).

The text of H.R. 1233 is available at this link

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Representative Thomas Massie Reintroduces Bill to Eliminate Social Security Double Tax

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Washington, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces reintroduction of the Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act, H.R. 1040. This bill assists middle-class seniors by eliminating the unjust double tax on Social Security benefits.

As the Congressional Research Service reports, “Before 1984, Social Security benefits were exempt from the federal income tax. Congress then enacted legislation to tax a portion of those benefits, with the share gradually increasing as a person’s income rose above a specified income threshold.”

“Although seniors have already paid tax on their Social Security contributions via the payroll tax, they are still required to list these benefits as taxable income on their tax returns,” said Rep. Massie. “This is simply a way for Congress to obtain more revenue for the federal government at the expense of seniors who have already paid into Social Security. My bill would exempt Social Security retirement benefits from taxation and boost the retirement income of millions of older Americans.”

Representative Daniel Webster (R-FL), a co-sponsor of the legislation, said, “For decades, seniors have paid into Social Security with their tax dollars. Now, when many seniors are on a fixed income and struggling financially, they are being double-taxed because of income taxes on their Social Security benefits. This is wrong and I’m pleased to once again co-sponsor this legislation to repeal this tax.”

Andy Mangione, Senior Vice President of the Association of Mature American Citizens Action, released the following statement in support of Massie’s legislation:

“Every year, millions of seniors become eligible for either Social Security or tier I railroad retirement benefits. After working for decades, paying taxes on their hard-earned income to fund these federal programs, some seniors are forced to pay income tax on the benefits they receive from the federal government. Taxing benefits which were created from already taxed funds is nonsensical and curtails retirement benefits seniors have been promised. Seniors deserve to reap the full benefits of their hard work from career-long contributions to Social Security and the Railroad Retirement Plan.

The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act will amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to terminate the inclusion of tier I railroad retirement benefits and Social Security benefits in an individual’s gross income. As this legislation takes effect, seniors will notice their tax liability is significantly reduced and will no longer deal with the ‘double tax’ on their federally earned benefits.” 

The Senior Citizens Tax Elimination Act was originally introduced in 2003 by Representative Ron Paul (R-TX). Rep. Massie has introduced this bill each Congress since taking office in 2012.

Original cosponsors include Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Ben Cline (R-VA), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), Rep. Brad Finstad (R-MN), Rep. Lance Gooden (R-TX), Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Rep. Mark Green (R-TN), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Andy Harris (R-MD), Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), Rep. Cory Mills (R-FL), Rep. Barry Moore (R-AL), Rep. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Martin Stutzman (R-IN), Rep. Tom Tiffany (R-WI), Rep. Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ), Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI), Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX), Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL), and Rep. Tony Wied (R-WI).

The text of H.R. 1040 is available at this embedded link.

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Congressman Rogers Votes for Full-Year Funding Bill to Keep the Government Running

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Harold Hal Rogers (KY-05)

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, voted in support of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act to maintain current federal funding levels and avoid a government shutdown on Friday, March 14, 2025. 

The legislation maintains funding for our troops and includes the largest pay raise for junior enlisted personnel in over 40 years. It also provides an increase for our military veterans’ Toxic Exposure Fund to meet critical healthcare needs, despite false claims that the fund had been zeroed out. 

There are no changes to Social Security, Medicare or Medicaid in the bill, ensuring payments will continue through the rest of the fiscal year. It also provides $425 million for the Commodity Supplemental Food Program to deliver food to low-income senior adults and $7.6 billion for the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC). 

Congressman Rogers released the following statement in support of the bill:

“Congress has a constitutional duty to responsibly fund the government, and that’s what we plan to do with this continuing resolution. 
 
“This is a clean, long-term plan that freezes federal spending levels. It will give congress more time to work with the Trump Administration to secure our nation’s borders and scale down the size and scope of government spending. 
 
“The bill protects our nation’s active military and our veterans’ healthcare services and benefits. It protects Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid recipients from any disruptions and confusion that a shutdown would cause. 
 
“The bill fully funds government operations and addresses critical needs, like air traffic control, nutrition assistance, and vital investments for our national defense. 
 
“I’m happy to support the Continuing Resolution to keep our government running while we focus on implementing President Trump’s America First Agenda.”

The legislation passed the House on Tuesday 218-212. It now moves on to the Senate for consideration before the funding deadline expires on Friday at midnight. 

For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media

Click here to read the funding bill.

Watch Congressman Rogers’ statement about the Continuing Resolution

Congressman Rogers Invites Kentucky Energy Industry Leader Joe Craft and Pastor of Somerset First Baptist Church Ryan Coffey to President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Harold Hal Rogers (KY-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05), Dean of the House, announced his guests for President Donald J. Trump’s joint address to Congress include Joe Craft III, a native of Hazard, Kentucky who is president, chief executive officer and director of Alliance Resource Partners LP, and he will be joined by Reverend Ryan Coffey, senior pastor of First Baptist Church in Somerset, Kentucky. 

Congressman Rogers released the following remarks ahead of President Trump’s joint address to Congress: 

“Since President Trump moved back into the White House, he has been working at full throttle to make America strong, safe and competitive again. In November, the American people issued an overwhelming mandate to save our country from the destructive path that we were on, with skyrocketing interest rates and open borders flooded with historic rates of illegal immigration and deadly fentanyl flowing into our communities. 
 
“President Trump is delivering on the promises that he made to the American people by closing our borders, standing firm against our adversaries and finding ways to save taxpayer dollars. 

“In the House, I am committed to the President’s America First Agenda for our Nation, and specifically Eastern Kentucky. Our region is unique in our challenges, and likewise, unique in our strengths. For generations, Eastern Kentucky powered the nation’s energy supply through coal, oil, timber and gas production, until our coal mining industry was decimated by the war on coal, making us more reliant on foreign energy supplies. President Trump declared a national energy emergency on day one, to promote domestic energy production and to provide an affordable supply of energy to drive our nation’s economy. 
 
“This year, I invited two important guests to join me for the state of the union address – a longtime leader for Kentucky’s energy industry from Hazard, Kentucky, my friend Joe Craft. Joe has not only been a leader in the coal, oil and gas industries, but he has generously given back to our region year after year, most recently investing in SOAR – Shaping Our Appalachian Region – to help our region rebuild and recover.
 
“I am also pleased to welcome my pastor, Reverend Ryan Coffey from First Baptist Church in Somerset. He had the opportunity to lead the House of Representatives in prayer in 2023, and I am honored for him to return to Capitol Hill for this pivotal time in our nation. 

“As DOGE works to root our waste, fraud and abuse, I want to be very clear – it is also important that we protect the programs that are vital in rural America. Across my 33 counties in southern and eastern Kentucky, approximately half of my constituents receive Medicaid benefits. I have no intention of gutting Medicaid, Medicare or Social Security. Those programs are critically important to people who need them, and those who are working but cannot afford healthcare. At the same time, it is important that we investigate any misuse of funds that could jeopardize the future of those vital programs. It was just a few years ago that former Eastern Kentucky attorney Eric C. Conn pleaded guilty to defrauding the Social Security Administration out of $550 million dollars. So, we must be vigilant in our work to protect taxpayer dollars from abuse and to ensure those benefits get to the people who desperately need them for years to come. 
 
“I look forward to working with President Trump and his administration as we work together to build a stronger nation, and I believe that starts with improving rural America.” 

 
For more information about Congressman Rogers’ work in Washington and at home in Kentucky, visit halrogers.house.gov and follow him on social media. 

Joe Craft and Congressman Rogers attend President Trump’s Joint Address of Congress

Rev. Ryan Coffey and Congressman Rogers attend President Trump’s Joint Address of Congress