Griffith Announces $414,482 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech for Cancer Research

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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WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: Tribal Support for Newhouse Legislation

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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PRESS RELEASE: Barragán, Salinas, Padilla, Gallego Introduce Mental Health for Latinos Act

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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Florida Democrats Send Letter Pushing State to Join Lawsuit on Frozen Education Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Florida House Democrats sent a letter to Florida Governor Ron DeSantis and Attorney General James Uthmeier urging them to join the 25 states that have filed the lawsuit State of California v. McMahon, challenging the Trump Administration and the Department of Education’s illegal freeze of more than $5.5 billion in Congressionally-approved education funding. On June 30, the Department of Education notified states that it was holding over $6 billion in grants that were due to be disbursed on July 1. The Department claims to be holding the funds for a “review” geared toward “ensuring taxpayer resources are spent in accordance with the President’s priorities.” While the Department recently released a small portion of the frozen funds, it is still withholding over $5.5 billion nationally, including $325 million from Florida schools for teacher training, academic support for students, professional development programs, and more. 

“For Florida, this freeze is not theoretical—it’s real money being held hostage, with tangible harm to our school districts, working families, and children,” the Members wrote. “Programs are being delayed or dismantled. School districts have had to freeze hiring and may soon have to start laying off staff. Local leaders are left in limbo. While other states are taking action, Florida is conspicuously absent.”

Despite the hundreds of millions of dollars at stake for Florida, Governor DeSantis and Attorney General Uthmeier have yet to join the lawsuit.

“Florida’s children should not pay the price for adult politics,” the Members continued. “The Trump Administration’s action is a clear violation of the Impoundment Control Act, which prohibits the executive branch from withholding Congressionally-appropriated funds. It also threatens the Constitutional balance of powers and undermines public trust.”

“We implore you to put Florida’s interests first by joining State of California v. McMahon and demanding the release of the federal education dollars our communities were promised.”

For the full text of the letter, click here.

Rep. Peters’ Statement on Administrator Zeldin’s Visit to Mexico

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC –  Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement regarding Administrator Zeldin’s visit to Mexico City:

“Today, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin held a news conference to announce that the United States and Mexico have signed a new memorandum of understanding that further commits Mexico to completing the projects agreed to in the Minute 328 Treaty. I very much appreciate the consistent, persistent focus that the EPA and the International Boundary and Water Commission continue to give the cross-border sewage crisis that plagues South San Diego County and our coast. In particular, I thank both agencies for their ongoing work with the design and engineering consulting team to find ways to shorten the timeline for progress. I’ll continue to work with anyone and everyone who wants to help us fix this mess.”

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Carter Installs Overdose Reversal Kits in House Office Buildings

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter Installs Overdose Reversal Kits in House Office Buildings

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) successfully advocated for the installation of overdose reversal kits near automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in House office buildings, shining a light on the need to make naloxone, an over-the-counter opioid reversal treatment, as accessible as a defibrillator. 

Overdoses are the number one cause of death for adults aged 18-45. House Office Buildings are leading by example to normalize the presence of this safe and effective treatment and encouraging members of the public to learn how to properly administer it. 

“This is a huge win for public safety,” said Rep. Carter. “By making opioid reversal kits as common as defibrillators and fire extinguishers, we will arm citizens with critical tools to combat the opioid epidemic. I am proud that the U.S. Capitol is leading the way. We can and must ensure that schools and other public and private buildings across the nation have similar access to this life-saving treatment.” 

Currently, boxes have been installed near building entrances for Rayburn, Longworth, Cannon, Ford, and O’Neill. The Sergeant at Arms will soon fill the boxes with opioid reversal kits, which will be available in case of an emergency. 

The boxes are located at:

  • Longworth House Office Building: Basement, NW corner near tunnel to Rayburn House Office Building 
  • Cannon House Office Building: First Floor, NW corner, across from NJ avenue entrance 
  • Rayburn House Office Building: First Floor, East side, across from the horseshoe S Capitol St. entrance
  • Ford House Office Building: First Floor, North side, near C St. entrance
  • O’Neill House Office Building: First floor North side, near C St. entrance

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David Scott Demands SEC Accountability and Transparency for Massive Georgia Ponzi Scheme Operation

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

Read Letter PDF

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), a senior member of the House Financial Services Committee, sent a letter to Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins demanding answers over the agency’s failure to detect the sprawling $140 million Ponzi scheme orchestrated by Georgia-based lender First Liberty Building and Loan. The letter calls for greater transparency and accountability following the SEC’s federal seizure of First Liberty.

In his letter, Congressman David Scott sharply criticizes the SEC for its years-long inability to detect or stop the fraud, which impacted hundreds of investors in Georgia and over a thousand investors nationwide. Despite numerous red flags, such as fabricated loan pools, implausible investment returns, and aggressive social media marketing, the SEC waited until July 10, 2025, to act, by which point nearly 90% of First Liberty’s loan portfolio had already defaulted. The congressman calls the SEC’s oversight breakdown “a catastrophic collapse of federal supervision.”

“This is not just a regulatory lapse, it is a total failure of oversight that enabled a $140 million Ponzi scheme to thrive in broad daylight,” said Congressman David Scott. “The worst hit investors are not millionaires or billionaires, they are retirees, faith leaders, and veterans who were failed by the SEC and Georgia state regulators. Many have lost their life savings, retirement security, and the very opportunity to financially support their families. The fact that this level of fraud went undetected for so long is completely unacceptable. The people of Georgia, especially those whose future was shattered by this scheme deserve accountability—not silence.”

Congressman David Scott’s letter aims at uncovering the full extent of the SEC’s oversight failures and identifying a path forward for victims to be made whole. The letter also questions why the SEC and state regulators—including the Georgia Department of Banking and Finance—failed to coordinate efforts, despite reportedly receiving multiple red flags and investor complaints. It demands a full accounting of:

  • When and how the SEC first became aware of First Liberty’s operation and whether SEC examiners reviewed the firm’s activities prior to July 2025
  • Why the firm was allowed to continue issuing unregistered offerings without disclosure or allowed to operate without registering as a broker dealer
  • What structural failures exist in the SEC’s regional supervisory and whistleblower processes that led to this apparent regulatory breakdown
  • What specific steps are being taken to pursue asset recovery, including offshore accounts or properties purchased with stolen investor funds

Additionally, Congressman Scott is requesting the SEC commit to a full and timely public report outlining how this massive Ponzi scheme operation was able to go on without detection. He has called for congressional hearings and a Government Accountability Office (GAO) investigation into whether loopholes in Regulation D and resource shortfalls at the SEC are enabling widespread abuse in private financial markets.

Congressman Scott remains committed to ensuring every victim receives justice and that the inexcusable regulatory failures which allowed this fraud to occur are addressed swiftly and thoroughly.

Read full letter HERE.

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House GOP Passes 50 Trump Executive Orders

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Six months into the Trump Administration, Republicans in the 119th Congress are delivering on President Trump’s America First agenda. With the historic passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill and many more separate pieces of legislation, House Republicans have already voted to codify 50 of President Trump’s executive actions. 

“The American people gave President Trump a clear mandate to enact his America First agenda – and House Republicans are answering that call. To date, we’ve voted to codify 50 of the President’s Executive Orders into law, from reining in waste, fraud, and abuse, to cutting bureaucratic red tape that has strangled America’s innovators, job creators, and entrepreneurs,” said Speaker Johnson. “The last four years under President Joe Biden made painfully clear how quickly progress can be undone unless Congress steps in. That’s why House Republicans are working around the clock to codify President Trump’s executive actions and enshrine his historic agenda into law.”

Executive Actions Passed by the House in the 119th Congress listed below and can be found here:

1.      Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections

2.      Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government

3.      Unleashing Prosperity Through Deregulation

4.      Imposing Sanctions on the International Criminal Court

5.      Immediate Expansion of American Timber Production

6.      Restoring Names that Honor American Greatness

7.      Protecting American Communities from Criminal Aliens

8.      Small Business Administration Overhaul of the Reckless Biden-era Lending Program

9.      Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Open Borders

10.  Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful

11.  Memorandum for the Heads of Executive Departments and Agencies: Advancing United States Interests When Funding Nongovernmental Organizations

12.  Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements

13.  Radical Transparency About Wasteful Spending

14.  Withdrawing the U.S. from the World Health Organization

15.  Withdrawing the U.S. from and Ending Funding to Certain U.N. Organizations and Reviewing U.S. Support to All International Organizations

16.  Reevaluating and Realigning U.S. Foreign Aid

17.  Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship

18.  Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing

19.  Securing Our Borders

20.  Protecting Children from Surgical Mutilation

21.  Expanding Migrant Operations Center at Naval Station Guantanamo Bay to Full Capacity

22.  Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization

23.  Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance

24.  Declaring a National Emergency at the Southern Border of the U.S.

25.  Reinvigorating America’s Beautiful Clean Coal Industry

26.  Unleashing American Energy

27.  Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential

28.  Celebrating America’s 250th Birthday with the Garden of Heroes

29.  Declaring a National Energy Emergency

30.  Enforcing the Hyde Amendment

31.  Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production

32.  Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

33.  The Iron Dome for America

34.  Clarifying The Military’s Role in Protecting the Territorial Integrity of the United States

35.  Keeping Americans Safe in Aviation

36.  Unleashing American Drone Dominance

37.  Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Cost Efficiency Initiative

38.  Improving Education Outcomes by Empowering Parents, States, and Communities

39.  Reforming Accreditation to Strengthen Higher Education

40.  Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy

41.  Establishing the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission

42.  Further Amendment to Duties Addressing the Synthetic Opioid Supply Chain in the People’s Republic of China as Applied to Low-Value Imports

43.  The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Global Tax Deal (Global Tax Deal)

44.  Protecting America’s Bank Account Against Fraud, Waste, and Abuse

45.  Stopping Waste, Fraud, and Abuse by Eliminating Information Silos

46.  Strengthening American Leadership in Digital Financial Technology

47.  Honoring Jocelyn Nungaray

48.  Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media

49.  Restoring America’s Fighting Force

50.  Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity

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Rep. Mike Levin Introduces Bill to Combat Microfiber Pollution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

July 24, 2025

Bicameral Legislation Would Prevent Microfibers from Our Clothes Entering Our Waters & Bodies

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Fighting Fibers Act, which would direct the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) to require the installation of a microfiber filtration system on new washing machines to address microfiber pollution and health impacts from clothing. A companion bill in the Senate was introduced by Sen. Jeff Merkley of Oregon.

Scientists estimate millions of tons of microfibers from clothing enter our water systems and oceans every year, making textiles the largest known source of microplastic pollution. Synthetic microfibers, found in clothing containing polyester, shed while being washed due to the friction and turbulence in the washing machine. Once in our waters, microfibers absorb and release toxins that harm wildlife and ultimately contaminate the food that we eat.

The Fighting Fibers Act would require washing machines sold in the U.S. to include a filter that would prevent microfibers in clothing from shedding into wastewater and eventually contaminating rivers, lakes, and oceans.

“Microfibers pose a serious threat to our waterways, oceans, and food supply and can ultimately end up in our bodies leading to serious health complications. Preventing them from entering our ecosystems is important to health and safety,” said Rep. Levin. “This bill provides a simple, targeted solution that offsets the environmental and health impacts of microfibers by stopping them in laundry cycles before they can enter our waters and bodies. I thank Sen. Merkley for his partnership on this bill, and I look forward to advancing it through the legislative process.”

“When it comes to plastics, most of us have been taught the three Rs: reduce, reuse, and recycle. The sinister reality is the three Bs: buried, burned, and borne out to sea, as dangerous chemicals poison our soil, air, and water,” said Sen. Merkley. “Microplastic pollution harms human health and our environment, and the Fighting Fibers Act is a simple fix to help consumers address the pollution from their clothes that is driving our global plastics crisis.”

“Microfibers are the most common type of microplastic pollution in our ocean and environment and have made their way everywhere from our drinking water to our blood streams. The scale and urgency of this crisis demand immediate action, and adding microfiber filters to washing machines is a common-sense and cost-effective solution available today to address this crisis. We applaud Senator Merkley and Representative Levin for championing the Fighting Fibers Act of 2025 to protect our ocean and our communities from dangerous microplastics,” said Dr. Anja Brandon, Director, Plastics Policy, Ocean Conservancy.

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Case Opposes Foreign Affairs Funding Measure That Weakens National Security By Slashing Critical Foreign Assistance Efforts

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the House Appropriations Committee, voted in Committee against the proposed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 National Security, Department of State and Related Programs Appropriations bill that would our nation’s foreign affairs programs and agencies by 22%  

This measure funds (or should fund) U.S. foreign policy efforts, including the Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more.  

The bill historically provides for international diplomatic presence and outreach as well as foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and more. The bill’s proposed FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $46.2 billion. This is a decrease of $13 billion (22 percent) from the FY 2025 enacted level.  

“While this measure did fund many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, I had to vote against it because on balance it weakens our global leadership when the world most needs our continued full engagement,” said Case.

Case spoke in Committee in opposition to the measure, saying it would “split our alliances, partnerships and friendships and cast our country as an unreliable partner”, allowing the People’s Republic of China to fill voids left by U.S. disengagement. His remarks are here.

The bill continues the Trump administration’s gutting of U.S. foreign assistance across a broad array of efforts, including: 

·         Codifying the closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development. 

·         Cutting international humanitarian aid by 42% in activities previously funded under International Disaster Assistance and Migration and Refugee Affairs.  

·         Cutting U.S. bilateral economic assistance by 21% in activities previously funded under Development Assistance, Economic Support Fund and other accounts.  

·         Creating a $1.7 billion transactional slush fund for the Trump administration called the “America First Opportunity Fund” with no effective congressional oversight.  

However, Case did welcome support in the bill for various of his requests related to Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, especially $16.7 million for the East-West Center in Honolulu.

“As we continue to focus on the growing influence of the PRC in the Indo-Pacific, our national security interests must also include diplomatic engagement and assistance to promote peace and diplomacy in the region,” said Case. “Continued funding for our East-West Center and other world-leading institutions in Hawai‘i supports our country’s standing in an area widely seen as the most dynamic and critical on earth.” 

“For all seven of my years on Appropriations, I have ranked full funding for the Center at the top of my annual requests to my committee because I believe not only in the Center’s invaluable work but in what it represents for Hawaii’s central role in the Asia-Pacific and in the broader benefits that bring high-quality … jobs to our overall economy,” he said.

“Though we still have a long way to go this appropriations year, I’m grateful that my House colleagues have again favorably considered my request, especially when the President’s budget proposed zero funding for the Center.” 

Other bill provisions requested by Case include:

·         $1.8 billion for the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which promotes peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. 

·         $175 million for the Pacific Islands region, the same as FY 2025 enacted levels.  

·         $3 million for the Advancing Port Enhancement and Customs Security program in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for Pacific Islands exchange programs, with a focus on partnering with universities in Pacific locations.  

·         Funding for small grants programs to assist local communities across the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for a Flexible Microfinance Facility for the Pacific Islands, launched by the Development Finance Corporation with the Department of State. 

·         Report language supporting funding for free and open media in the Pacific.  

·         Funding for trade capacity-building activities in the Pacific Islands. 

·         Report language supporting the Peace Corps’ expansion in the Pacific. 

·         Funding for a demand-driven initiative to diversify trade opportunities in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Language requiring a report on ways to strengthen U.S. trade and investment with the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for unexploded ordinance removal in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.  

·         Language requiring a strategy for faith-based engagement for assistance in the Pacific Islands.  

The bill further includes funding for several foreign policy programs supported by Case, although some at unacceptably low levels. Among them are: 

·         $411 million for the Peace Corps, a decrease of $20 million from FY 2025. 

·         $411 million for peacekeeping operations, the same as FY 2025. 

·         $562.3 million to support international peacekeeping activities, a decrease of $838 million. 

·         $701 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs, a decrease of more than $40 million. 

·         $310 million for contributions to international organizations, a decrease of $1.2 billion. 

·         $1.5 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a decrease of $200 million. 

·         $915 million for maternal and child health programs. 

A summary of the bill is available here.  

This is the ninth of twelve separate bills developed and approved by the Appropriations Committee that would fund the federal government at some $1.6 trillion for FY 2026 commencing October 1st of this year. The bill now moves on to the full House of Representatives for its consideration.

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