MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

Congressman Valadao Joins Entire California GOP Delegation in Releasing a Statement on Governor Newsom’s Move to Overturn the Will of Voters

Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) released the following statement alongside the entire California Republican Congressional delegation following Governor Newsom’s press conference announcing his intent to disenfranchise California voters and overturn the independent redistricting commission.

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

“Israel must take immediate action and work with all possible humanitarian aid organizations to rush critically needed food and other supplies to the people in Gaza. The level of the crisis there demands emergency action. Israel’s new arrangement on delivering aid simply is not working. Israel must take all possible steps to facilitate a surge of aid into Gaza. Additionally, the United Nations and other international aid organizations must work with Israel to resolve their differences and work together so all parties can maximize the capacity of humanitarian efforts. 

“It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to block a negotiated ceasefire, refusing both to surrender their illegitimate power in Gaza and to release the hostages that should never have been taken in the first place. It is also unconscionable that Hamas siphons off critically needed food and supplies intended for the people of Gaza and uses it instead to prop up their terrorist organization, while at the same time fighting their war against Israel by embedding themselves into the civilian population.

“But given all of this, right now it falls to Israel to take the steps necessary to alleviate the humanitarian catastrophe facing the civilian population in Gaza. I urge President Trump and his administration to work with Israel to implement a ceasefire and dramatically increase the flow of aid into Gaza. I believe we can both continue to support Israel in their effort to defend themselves against Hamas, Iran and others in the region who continue in their efforts to attack and destroy Israel, and work immediately to relieve the suffering of the people in Gaza.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Was Involved in Successful Subpoena, Demands Transparency, Accountability, and Healing

“These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with protecting predators than centering survivors.”

“When you are violated, when you are groomed, when you are exploited, when you are preyed upon, when you are violated as a child—it changes you at your core, on a cellular level. It is a life sentence.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In an MSNBC interview, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her. Congresswoman Pressley, who is a survivor of sexual assault, demanded healing, transparency, and accountability for those harmed by Epstein and his co-conspirators.

As a member of the House Oversight Committee, Rep. Pressley successfully helped pass a motion to subpoena the Epstein files and is calling for the Department of Justice to release the full, complete files without delay, with the privacy of survivors respected.

An excerpt of her remarks is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Makes Emotional Call to Center Survivors After Successful Subpoena of Epstein Files

MSNBC

July 24, 2025

JEN PSAKI: Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, a Democrat from Massachusetts, she’s also a member of the House Oversight Committee. There’s so many things I want to ask you about.

Let me just ask you about some of these developments, the birthday book. What is the latest on the subpoena and trying to get access to that birthday book from the committee?

REP PRESSLEY: Well, you know, in real time, we’re having to move with a nimble strategy, to follow up any new leads as they emerge.

The fact of the matter is, Jen, that for decades, there has been a dereliction of duty here in getting accountability, truth, transparency, and justice for these survivors.

These powerful abusers have been protected by institutions that are more concerned with protecting predators than centering survivors, and that’s what I want to really focus on here.

Because I think — I fear — that we’ve lost the plot, that people have gotten so caught up in what they perceive to be the political gamesmanship and sport of this that they are losing sight of the survivors. 

And I do want to take a moment just to thank Maria Farmer for her courage and her bravery. And I am — it is infuriating that for this many decades, she has been failed by so many because of these ongoing efforts to obstruct the truth.

So it is really essential that we have the full Epstein files released. I joined Ranking Member Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee, Ranker for our Subcommittee, in a decisive vote to motion for the subpoena for the Epstein files, a full redacting of the victims’ names.

Today, Ranking Member Garcia sent a letter to Chairman Comer saying, without delay, transmit this subpoena to the Department of Justice.

And then, you know, the role — we’re doing our job in Oversight. You know this is our obligation, but it is the Department of Justice’s responsibility to ensure full compliance, and we’re giving them 30 calendar days to do that. 

JEN: It certainly is and, and I want, you mentioned Maria Farmer, and for people who are just tuning in later in the show, she is a survivor, and one of the first people who came forward almost 30 years ago.

And we had her on earlier in the show to talk to her about her story, for exactly the reason you mentioned, which is that there’s not enough light that is being shined — 

REP. PRESSLEY: Almost 30 years.

JEN: — on the survivors and the people who are so courageously speaking out. Let me ask you, because you are a survivor yourself, and you have been speaking out, and you’ve been involved in speaking out for survivors.

You’ve, you’ve definitely, this is, this is a line people are not all walking perfectly, even people who are well-intentioned. What do you want people to understand about what people who have survived, who have been victimized, whether through this or any other scenario, as they’re reading these newspaper articles, how they’re consuming it, how it’s impacting them?

REP. PRESSLEY: First, I think it’s important to contextualize that this smart, effective strategy by Ranking Member Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee yesterday was happening within the context of a Subcommittee hearing on the trafficking of children.

And so this hearing was chosen specifically to call out the hypocrisy of Republicans in shielding abusers instead of protecting and centering survivors. 

I’ve been doing the advocacy for survivors’ justice for all my life.

I’m a survivor of childhood sexual abuse and sexual violence, and it is a life sentence. I think about what I experienced every single day. 

And I know that’s true for every survivor. When you are violated, when you are groomed, when you are exploited, when you are preyed upon, when you are violated as a child — it changes you at your core, on a cellular level.

It is a life sentence. 

And so for those cynics or political watchers who see this as political gamesmanship or sport, it is certainly not that for me. Or those who would say that this is a distraction and don’t we have better things that we could be working on — no.

This healing, transparency, accountability for these survivors is important, and they deserve it, and it is long overdue. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Larsen Releases Statement on Department of Education Releasing Funding

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

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) and Congressman Herb Conaway (NJ-03) visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, one week after receiving a letter from Defense Secretary Hegseth informing the Representatives that the military base will be used as a detention site for undocumented immigrants.

“Last week, Defense Secretary Hegseth informed us that Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst will be used as a detention site for undocumented immigrants. Today, I joined Congressman Conaway for a meeting at the base to perform our congressional duty of oversight,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The fact that the base hasn’t received any information to prepare to house undocumented immigrants shows the chaos and confusion that surrounds the Trump Administration. This administration has shown time and time again that they will ignore due process, but we must ensure proper use of our military facilities and uphold human rights standards.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Bill Builds Upon Successful Pilot Programs in Massachusetts, Supports State and Local Implementation of Fare-Free Public Transit

Bill Text

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) announced the reintroduction of the Freedom to Move Act, legislation to support state and local efforts to establish public transportation as a public good through fare-free services. The legislation builds upon successful fare-free pilot programs in Boston and with leadership from Regional Transit Authorities across the Commonwealth. In particular, the Worcester Regional Transit Authority and the Merrimack Valley Transit (MeVa) have among the longest-running and most successful fare-free transit programs in the country.

“Fare free transit is an economic, racial, and climate justice issue, and it’s high time we invest in public transit as the public good that it is,” said Rep Pressley. “Making our transit infrastructure fare free will help folks access essential resources like jobs, school, child care, the grocery store, and the hospital while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and making our communities more connected. Our bill would build on the success of fare-free pilot programs in Boston and across the Commonwealth by making robust investments to provide safe, high-quality, and fare-free rides for all. I’m grateful to Senator Markey, Mayor Wu, and our transit justice advocates for their ongoing partnership.”

“All across Massachusetts and the country, more communities are joining the fare free revolution,” said Senator Markey. “By making public transit free, we can alleviate the high burden of transportation costs on working families while building a system that is more accessible and efficient. Free buses and trains also mean less traffic congestion, cleaner air, and a safer work environment for transit workers. That is why I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Pressley to deliver resources that will make our communities more affordable and connected.”

“Fare-free transit is an investment in the public good and in our economy and communities,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “Boston’s fare-free bus routes have had the highest ridership of the entire bus system, and we’ve seen improved service from buses being able to load faster at each stop. Most of all, commuters no longer have to ration trips to connect all the pieces of their lives—getting to work and school, or to shop at our local businesses or enjoy a meal, or to access critical healthcare to take care of their families. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Markey for their leadership and continued advocacy.”

Full text of the Freedom to Move Act is available here.

Low-income families have faced the biggest financial burden by spending nearly 30 percent of their household income on transportation expenses. Traffic congestion has also worsened greenhouse gas emissions and pollution, exacerbating climate change and contributing to health disparities like asthma and lung cancer in marginalized communities.

Increasing access to free, safe, reliable, and accessible public transit systems will help improve community livability and mobility, increase connectivity to critical services—particularly for low-income workers and families, people of color, students, seniors, and people with disabilities—and address many of our nation’s most severe inequities.

The Freedom to Move Act would support state and local efforts to promote public transportation as a public good for all by:

• Establishing a $5 billion competitive grant program per year to support state and local efforts to implement fare-free public transportation systems;
• Investing in efforts to improve the safety and quality of public transportation services, particularly in low-income and historically underserved communities; and
• Ensuring grantees use funds to address and close equity gaps in current transit systems.

Co-sponsors of the Freedom to Move Act include Senator Elizabeth Warren and Representatives Alma Adams, Joyce Beatty, Sanford D. Bishop, Jr., Shontel M. Brown, André Carson, Emanuel Cleaver, James Clyburn, Jasmine Crockett, Danny K. Davis, Cleo Fields, Jonathan Jackson, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Summer L. Lee, LaMonica McIver, Gwen Moore, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Ilhan Omar, Delia Ramirez, Lateefah Simon, Rashida Tlaib, and Nikema Williams.

Rep. Pressley and Sen. Markey originally introduced the Freedom to Move Act in June 2020. Following the bill’s introduction, Senator Markey, Congresswoman Pressley, and then-Councilor Michelle Wu published an op-ed that discussed the bill and the need to fund public transportation as a public good.

In July 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Moving Forward Act that included a fare-free pilot program modeled after the two lawmakers Freedom to Move Act.

In March 2021, Senator Markey and Congresswoman Pressley reintroduced the Freedom to Move Act.

In August 2021, Rep. Pressley and Senator Markey called on the MBTA to make the entire T fare-free for the duration of the Orange Line’s shutdown.

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

Read Letter PDF

WASHINGTON D.C. –  Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), wrote a letter to Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Assistant Secretary, Scott Davis, and Department of the Interior Secretary, Doug Burgum, urging the department reconsider a decision to deny federal recognition for Georgia’s Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe. The letter further calls on the BIA to reexamine its rigid criteria for federal recognition which often overlooks the historical disruptions and forced assimilation that fractured many tribal communities.

“Georgia’s Native American communities have been a vital part of our state’s history for well over 1,000 years,” said Congressman David Scott. “Despite their undeniable legacy and obtaining state recognition from the General Assembly, the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe continue to face systemic barriers to gaining federal recognition. These barriers are rooted in centuries of marginalization and a refusal by the Bureau of Indian Affairs to recognize how some tribes were forced to hide their ancestry in order to remain in their homelands. It’s time for the BIA to correct this historical injustice while ensuring future petitions are reviewed with greater transparency, respect, and cultural understanding.”

“I commend Congressman David Scott for championing the voices of Georgia’s Native communities and calling for a fair review of federal acknowledgment for the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muskogee Creek Tribe—two tribes already recognized by the state of Georgia,” said Chairman Nealie McCormick. “His support brings vital attention to these communities, which have preserved their heritage, culture, and identity despite generations of hardship. Acknowledgment at the federal level is a meaningful step toward justice, fairness, and greater opportunity for these tribes.”

“I’m thrilled at the prospect of having our State-Recognized Tribes be reconsidered for Federal Recognition,” said Council Chair Bennett. “It is my opinion that the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and the Lower Muscogee Creek have endured almost two centuries of abuse at the hand of the Federal Government over the events that took place in Georgia in the 1830s.  Georgia passed laws that made it impossible to remain in the State if you admitted heritage.  We have kept our Tribes together, we have maintained our identity, and we have suffered greatly in many ways because of it. There is a massive amount of history in the State of Georgia, which we have, in many instances, held onto by a thread due to a lack of monetary means. It is our hope that we will be able to maintain our Heritage and our Traditions by means of Federal Recognition.”

The federal recognition process for Native American tribes is critical for signaling that the U.S. government acknowledges a tribe as a sovereign entity with the right to self-govern. Federal recognition establishes a government-to-government relationship, similar to how the U.S. interacts with foreign nations. It allows tribes to access funding for Indian Health services, housing, education, jobs and economic development, and vital cultural preservation.

The BIA’s decision to deny federal recognition to the Georgia Tribe of Eastern Cherokee and Lower Muscogee Creek Tribe have imposed real-world consequences for these tribes. Decades of denials have relied on a strict administrative criterion that failed to consider the disruptions of traditional governance and loss of records caused by generations of forced assimilation and exclusion.

Read Letter HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $414,482 grant. The funding supports cancer research. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Virginia Tech leads important health research initiatives that test treatments and immunotherapies for cancer.

“This HHS grant for more than $400,000 helps Virginia Tech pursue a project focused on treating cancer.”

BACKGROUND

The funds for this grant were made available through the HHS Exploratory/Developmental Grants program. This program encourages the development of new research activities in categorical program areas.

The Virginia Tech Cancer Research Alliance, launched in 2019, consists of talented cancer scientists who seek to introduce novel preventions, diagnostics and therapeutics for a variety of cancers.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Tribal Support for Newhouse Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA) introduced the bipartisan, bicameral Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act alongside Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to improve hiring and retention for tribal law enforcement officers in Central Washington and across the United States.  

Here is what they are saying about the Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act: 

Jarred-Michael Erickson, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, said, “The Colville Tribes strongly supports the ‘Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act. The bill would implement long overdue reforms and remove administrative barriers to tribal law officers enforcing federal laws on their reservation lands. It will also assist the Colville Tribes and other tribes in recruiting and retaining officers, which is critical for rural tribes that have large land bases and not enough officers to adequately patrol.” 

Jeremy Takala, Law & Order Committee Chairman, Yakama Nation Tribal Council, said, “Bolstering support for Tribal law enforcement recruitment and retention is crucial to addressing the many serious and systemic public safety issues in Indian Country. The issue is particularly pressing for the Yakama Nation and other tribes with large-land bases and a severe lack of resources to adequately patrol such a vast area. At Yakama we are facing an overwhelming confluence of public safety crises. We have experienced a surge in violent and property crimes, the highest rate of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women/People in the region, and a terrifying rise in outside gang and cartel-related drug activity coming onto our lands, including the pervasive and deadly fentanyl epidemic. The recent coordinated, multi-agency drug trafficking interdiction “Operation Overdrive” that dismantled a large drug distribution network operating on the Yakama Reservation shows what is possible when all levels of government work together to make our communities safer. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will help give the Yakama Nation and other tribes the tools and funding necessary to protect our communities and people who live, work, and raise their families on our lands. The Yakama Nation appreciates Congressman Newhouse’s partnership with us and his continued work to address long-standing impediments to Tribal sovereignty and our public safety efforts.” 

Dustin Klatush, Chairman, Confederated Tribes of the Chehalis Reservation, said, “The Chehalis Tribe strongly supports the bill. Our Tribe is fortunate in that we are able to pay our law enforcement officers competitive salaries but competitive retirement benefits are currently out of reach for Chehalis and most other tribes around the country. If enacted, this will allow Chehalis and other tribes to take care of the officers that patrol and keep our communities safe.” 

Glen Nenema, Chairman, Kalispel Tribe of Indians, said, “Many tribal police departments are chronically understaffed and massively underfunded. The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act would level the playing field for tribal police benefits, retirement, and pension, allowing tribes to improve retention and recruitment of officers on tribal lands. Ultimately, passage of the act would help improve overall safety in tribal communities. We are grateful to Congressman Newhouse, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and their colleagues for championing this act and hope the overwhelming tribal support will ensure its approval.” 

Everett Ekdahl, Jr., Vice President, Keweenaw Bay Indian Community, said, “As a tribal law enforcement officer and an elected tribal leader, I know firsthand how hard it is to recruit and retain law enforcement officers. This bill will make it so much easier to achieve that objective by ensuring tribal law enforcement officers have access to proper retirement benefits. This bill will make our community safer.” 

Leonard Forsman, Chairman, Suquamish Tribe, said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will provide tribal nations with the tools necessary to recruit and retain law enforcements officers. It shows Congress’s commitment to public safety on tribal lands and the fair treatment of tribal law enforcement officers. We are grateful for Senator Cantwell, Congressman Newhouse, and Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez for their leadership on this important issue.” 

Timothy Nuvangyaoma, Chairman, Hopi Tribe, said, “The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act represents a crucial advancement in ensuring that tribal law enforcement agencies, such as Hopi Law Enforcement Services, have the support they need to protect those that live and work on the Hopi Reservation. The Hopi Tribe is grateful to Senator Cantwell, Congressman Newhouse, Congresswoman Gluesenkamp Perez, and their colleagues for their leadership strengthening recruitment, retention, and public safety across tribal nations.” 

Teri Gobin, Chair, Tulalip Tribes, said, “The Tulalip Tribes strongly and unequivocally support the Tribal Law Enforcement Parity Act. Our tribal law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and they deserve the same retirement and benefits as their federal counterparts. This legislation is about parity and public safety. We are losing dedicated, highly trained officers because we can’t offer competitive retirement benefits. Passing the Parity Act is critical to keeping our officers on the force and ensuring the safety and security of everyone—tribal and non-tribal—who lives, works, and visits our lands.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

July 24, 2025

CONTACT: Jin Choi 

Barragán, Salinas, Padilla, Gallego Introduce Mental Health for Latinos Act

WASHINGTON, D.C. — As the nation observes Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-Calif.-44) and Andrea Salinas (D-Ore.-02), along with U.S. Senators Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), introduced the Mental Health for Latinos Act, legislation to improve mental health outcomes among Latino and Hispanic communities. 

Barriers to mental health care within Latino communities cause far too many individuals to suffer in silence. Only 47.4 percent of Hispanic adults ages 18 or older with any mental illness received services in 2023. Between 2010 and 2020, the suicide rate among male Hispanic adults (ages 20 to 64) increased by 35.7 percent, and the rate among women specifically increased by 40.6 percent. Even those who can access services rarely receive the effective, culturally competent care they need.

 “This legislation is a first step to breaking down the unique barriers that prevent our Latino communities from receiving the help they need. Mental health is a challenge that many Americans bear silently — but they shouldn’t have to,” said Representative Barragán. “Ensuring that our communities in need receive specialized resources and outreach will help break down cultural stigmas and language barriers that prevent Americans from accessing mental health care that is essential to their overall health and well-being.”

“As Co-Chair of the bipartisan Mental Health Caucus and a proud Latina, I know how crucial it is to end the stigma around mental health care and improve outcomes and access to care among Latino communities,” said Representative Salinas. “I’ve been on the other end of a phone call with someone who is having a mental health crisis. I see how important it is for people not only to have access to mental health care, but also to be able to get the culturally competent care that meets them where they are.”

“No one should suffer in silence,” said Senator Padilla. “We need to break down the barriers that keep Latinos from getting the mental health care they need, when stigma and language access can make it even harder to ask for help. The Mental Health for Latinos Act would improve mental health outcomes by reducing stigma in the Latino community and encouraging people to reach out for help. As we tackle the rise in mental health challenges, it’s critical that we acknowledge the distinct needs of our diverse communities and develop solutions that meet people where they are.”

“Too many Latinos, especially men, shy away from seeking help because they’re afraid of being judged, and that only makes the problem worse. This issue is personal to me. This bill would help break the stigma around mental health and make it easier to get care from people who actually understand our community. I want everyone to know that they’re not alone and that getting help is not a weakness,” said Senator Gallego.

Informed and culturally competent resources, education materials, and outreach programs are vital to addressing the mental health crisis. The Mental Health for Latinos Act recognizes the unique mental health challenges of the Latino community, aiming to reduce cultural stigma and rectify health care disparities that prevent people from receiving lifesaving mental health services. As our nation confronts a worsening mental health crisis, this critical legislation reinforces the message that there is zero shame in asking for help and that seeking support is a sign of strength.

Specifically, the bill would:

• Require the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) to develop and implement an outreach and education strategy to promote behavioral and mental health among the Latino and Hispanic populations that:

• Meets diverse cultural and language needs and is developmentally and age-appropriate, 
• Increases awareness of symptoms of mental illnesses, 
• Provides information on evidence-based, culturally and linguistically appropriate adapted interventions and treatments, 
• Ensures full participation of community members, and 
• Uses a comprehensive public health approach to promoting behavioral health by focusing on the intersection between behavioral and physical health.
• Require SAMHSA to report annually to Congress on the extent to which the strategy improved behavioral and mental health outcomes among these populations.

The Mental Health for Latinos Act is endorsed by organizations including American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, National Alliance on Mental Illness, UnidosUS, American Mental Health Counselors Association, Inseparable, American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), Global Alliance for Behavioral Health & Social Justice, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Group Psychotherapy Association, Epilepsy Foundation of America, National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses (ISPN), and the International OCD Foundation (IOCDF).

A one-pager on the bill is available here.

Full text of the bill is available here.

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