MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Pressley Also Condemns GOP Inhumane Treatment of Immigrant Children

“This administration is turning childhood trauma into a permanent record. Republicans on this committee claim to be focused on protecting children, yet ignore actual threats to their safety.”

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – In a House Oversight Federal Law Enforcement Subcommittee hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) condemned Trump’s DHS policy to steal the DNA of immigrants – including children as young as four years old – and handing it over to an FBI criminal database to surveil them like suspects in waiting.

In her remarks, Rep. Pressley made clear that the stealing of children’s genetic information is a direct violation of their civil rights and civil liberties and slammed Trump and Republicans for traumatizing children while claiming to protect them.

A full transcript of her remarks as delivered is available below, and the full video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Slams DHS Stealing Immigrants’ DNA and Giving it to FBI Criminal Database

House of Representatives

July 23, 2025

REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you. First, let me begin by saying this: Republicans, you sound absolutely absurd. Stop calling children “aliens.” This intentional – I mean, the cruelty is the point – this intentional, dehumanizing, and persistent persecution through your rhetoric is shameful. 

You are literally attacking children. I cannot take seriously anyone who’s using othering language to bully babies and toddlers. 

Republicans don’t want us to see the humanity of immigrants. That’s why they like saying “aliens” and even put it in the title of the hearing. And that inhumane approach is consistent with the actions of the Department of Homeland Security. 

Dr. Cuffari, have you heard about the DHS policy of collecting the DNA of children and storing it into the FBI criminal database? Yes or no?

DR. CUFFARI: I believe there is not a policy to do children.

REP. PRESSLEY: There absolutely is. Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record this report from July 2025, titled ‘Rating the Genome: How the United States Government is Abusing its Immigration Powers to Amass DNA for Future Policing.’

CHAIR HIGGINS: Without objection.

REP. PRESSLEY: This policy began under Donald Trump. In his first term, he authorized DHS to begin mass DNA data collection from immigrants – including children – and hand that data over to an FBI database designed to track violent offenders. 

Now that he’s back, Trump is taking this policy to new extremes, adding more than a quarter million people to the database in just four months. A quarter million people, okay, in four months. 

This committee recently held a hearing on genetic data, and there was bipartisan agreement that DNA is highly sensitive and its misuse is a violation of people’s rights, because children as young as four years old could not possibly consent to DNA collection.

So I want to know what your office is doing about it, Dr. Cuffari- 

DR. CUFFARI: We actually wrote a report –

REP. PRESSLEY: One moment, let me ask the question.

DR. CUFFARI: Certainly.

REP. PRESSLEY: Is it the responsibility of your office to investigate abuses of civil rights and civil liberties? Yes or no?

DR. CUFFARI: Yes.

REP. PRESSLEY: Has your office ever investigated concerns about DHS agents stealing genetic information from children and uploading it to the FBI criminal database?

DR. CUFFARI: Not to my knowledge, during my tenure.

REP. PRESSLEY: Well, for an Inspector General worthy of the title, it should be a priority investigation. Do you agree?

DR. CUFFARI: I agree that we did a report –

REP. PRESSLEY: Thank you.

DR. CUFFARI: Thank you.

REP. PRESSLEY: You agree? 

DR. CUFFARI: I agree –

REP. PRESSLEY: There should be a priority investigation?

DR. CUFFARI: – On the matter you’re discussing.

REP. PRESSLEY: For the record, I want to be clear. Do you agree this should be a priority investigation by your office to look into agents stealing genetic information from children and uploading it to the FBI criminal database – yes or no? Yes or no?

DR. CUFFARI: We have done the report –

REP. PRESSLEY: Let me just this –

DR. CUFFARI: We have done the report you’re mentioning –

REP. PRESSLEY: Let me just say this – your office, according to Title Five of the US Code, Chapter Four, Section 417 – this is the responsibility you are charged with, to investigate abuses of civil rights and civil liberties. 

Children as young as four years old have not consented to the collection of their DNA. That is a violation of their civil rights and civil liberties. 

So this is not a trick question. Do you believe, given the charge and jurisdiction of your office, that this should be a priority investigation, as their rights have been violated?

DR. CUFFARI: Unless the adult consented on the child –

REP. PRESSLEY: Yes or no? Yes or no, Dr. Cuffari?

DR. CUFFARI: We just got done writing a report.

REP. PRESSLEY: On what?

DR. CUFFARI: On the DNA collection within the Department of Homeland Security.

REP. PRESSLEY: I thought you said you weren’t even aware that it was a policy. I’m very confused.

DR. CUFFARI: There’s not a policy.

REP. PRESSLEY: Dr. Cuffari, I’m not going to, you know, play these games here – because we’re talking about children, so I don’t want to circle the drain. 

But this should be a priority investigation, because we have children whose civil rights have been violated with the collection of their DNA. 

This administration is turning childhood trauma into a permanent record. 

Republicans on this committee, you claim to be focused on protecting children, yet you’re ignoring actual threats to their safety. 

You traumatize children with the threat of disappearing their parents. You traumatize children by disappearing their parents. You traumatize children by conducting their DNA without their consent and criminalizing them. You traumatize children by denying them food when they’re hungry. You traumatize children by denying them essential health care, which is their human right. 

You traumatize them so much that they’re afraid to show up to school, afraid to show up to church, afraid to go to doctor’s appointments. 

Mr. Chair, I ask unanimous consent to enter into the record this July 2025 article from the Boston Globe, titled, ‘I Want Daddy: As ICE Detains Parents and Children –

CHAIR HIGGINS: Without objection and the gentlelady’s time has expired. 

REP. PRESSLEY: Stop using children as pawns. This is the real child abuse.

Thank you, I yield.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) delivered the following remarks, as prepared for delivery, at a community rally in Red Hook in support of the Brooklyn container port: 

“Thank you for inviting me here today. As many of you know, I have advocated for the Port of New York and New Jersey for more than forty years. For many of those years, I represented the Red Hook waterfront in Congress and fought for this vital facility, the community, and the jobs that depend on the port.

Red Hook is the only remaining container port facility on the eastern side of the Hudson River, making it immensely important for our city, state, and region. We gather today to address a critical decision facing our community regarding the future of the Brooklyn Marine Terminal and Red Hook’s working waterfront.

Red Hook has served as an active working waterfront for 150 years. While the port may be smaller than terminals in New Jersey and Staten Island, its location in the heart of America’s largest consumer market provides unique value. Red Hook connects our region to vital supply chains, bringing fresh produce from Latin America and the Caribbean directly to grocery stores throughout the city and Long Island.

The recent Baltimore bridge collapse reminded us how vulnerable our supply chains can be. We need redundancy and resilient alternatives. The Blue Highway barge service operating since 1991 employs skilled long-shore workers representing generations of maritime expertise. This infrastructure deserves our investment and protection.

Unfortunately, the city in acquiring the facility made a bad deal with the Port Authority and inherited a facility with significant challenges from decades of underinvestment. But now that the city owns Brooklyn Marine Terminal, it must repair the facility without any conditions. The current proposal from EDC is deeply flawed. To save the port, they propose developing thousands of market-rate housing units to finance improvements. I believe there is a better path forward, because their plan would have the opposite effect—shrinking and killing the very port they claim to want to save.

I fully recognize the city’s housing crisis requires urgent attention. However, adding 8,000 housing units to an area with narrow streets, aging infrastructure, and limited transit raises serious concerns about community impact and quality of life.
I propose a more thoughtful approach. First, preserve the Red Hook Port with no reduction in its footprint. Second, the city should invest in port stabilization and improvements as a public infrastructure priority, similar to investments in ferry lines, roads, and bridges. New York State should contribute as well, since the terminal serves the broader region including Long Island and the Hudson Valley.

Finally, housing decisions should be addressed through the established ULURP process, designed for complex land use decisions requiring maximum community input. This same process recently delivered the City of Yes housing plan through proper democratic engagement.

The fact that EDC keeps postponing the Task Force vote shows they lack support for their deeply flawed plan. It is profoundly undemocratic for EDC to delay the vote simply because they know their plan will be rejected. I urge the Task Force to approve necessary port improvements immediately while deferring housing decisions for later consideration through the ULURP process. This approach respects both the community’s voice and the democratic processes that ensure good governance.

The future of Red Hook deserves careful deliberation, not rushed decisions. We can protect our working waterfront while addressing housing needs through proper planning and community engagement.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

July 24, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Norma J. Torres (CA-35) announced the inclusion of 15 Community Project Funding requests in the House Appropriations Committee funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026. The bills including these projects have all been considered at the subcommittee level, and most have passed through the full Appropriations Committee and now advance to the House floor for consideration.  If fully funded, these locally driven proposals would bring more than $21,772,000 in federal resources directly to communities across California’s 35th Congressional District.

“As a senior Member of the House Appropriations Committee, I am proud to advocate for strategic federal investments that reflect the real needs of our region—from clean water and safer streets to affordable housing and economic development,” said Congresswoman Torres. “Every one of these projects was developed in close partnership with our local governments, schools, and nonprofits. They will improve public safety, support small businesses, enhance critical infrastructure, and uplift the people of the Inland Empire.”

Project Include: 

Autism Society Inland Empire’s Law Enforcement Training Initiative – $1,031,000

Provides training and resources for law enforcement to foster safer interactions with community members with a condition or disability that may impact communication or require additional accommodations or awareness during an interaction in several cities in the 35th District.

Chino Basin Advanced Water Purification Demonstration Facility – $1,092,000

First-of-its-kind water purification facility to increase water quality and long-term resilience.

Chino Benson Emergency Power Generator Project – $1,092,000

Backup power to ensure continued water delivery in Chino during outages.

Chino Valley Innovation Center – $2,000,000

Establishes a local entrepreneurship hub to support business growth and job creation.

City of Montclair Fire Department Tractor Tiller Truck – $850,000

Funds a high-maneuverability fire truck to enhance emergency response.

City of Upland Campus Avenue Storm Drain Improvement – $1,092,000

Upgrades storm drain system to prevent flooding and protect homes, schools, and businesses.

Cypress Grove Supportive Housing – $2,000,000

Supports the construction of permanent housing to address local homelessness in Fontana.

Eastvale Library and Innovation Center – $3,100,000

Expands access to information, education, and community programming.

Los Serranos Flood Protection Project – $1,092,000

Installs storm drain system to mitigate flood risk in Chino Hills.

Merrill Center Crisis Stabilization Unit Rehabilitation – $1,100,000

Rehabilitates critical behavioral health facilities to support those in crisis in Ontario.

Monte Vista Water District Pipeline Replacement Project –$1,092,000

Replaces aging pipeline infrastructure in Montclair to prevent leaks and improve water flow.

Ontario-Montclair School District’s Safer Schools Initiative – $1,031,000

Improves school safety infrastructure in collaboration with local law enforcement.

Ontario Section 219 Recycled Water Expansion Project – $3,200,000

Constructs 13 miles of new infrastructure to deliver recycled water to public landscapes.

The Hub on Holt: Space for Entrepreneurship, Creation, and Innovation – $1,000,000

Revitalizes a blighted corridor to support small businesses and community engagement in Ontario.

Vista Verde II Affordable Housing Development – $1,000,000

Adds affordable housing and promotes economic growth through construction jobs in Ontario.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon, Gottheimer, ADL Announce Legislation to Combat Terrorists & Disinformation on Social Media

Social Media Apps are Breeding Ground for Terrorist Organizations and Sympathizers; Follows Grok AI’s Antisemitic and Violent Posts

Washington – Reps. Don Bacon (NE-2) and Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5), and Anti-Defamation League (ADL) CEO and National Director Jonathan Greenblatt held a press conference to announce bipartisan legislation — the Stopping Terrorists Online Presence and Holding Accountable Tech Entities (STOP HATE) Act — to combat terrorists and disinformation on social media.

Video of the press conference can be found here.

“Everybody in our country is entitled to respect and not to be the object of hate and scorn. We want to be in a country that makes clear that antisemitism or any kind of racism is repugnant, unacceptable, not allowed in an online space, and that we have zero tolerance for it,” said Rep. Bacon. “We need to work with our social media companies to clean this up because what is going on is wrong. We need to hold these companies accountable and work with them to take it off the airwaves.”

“We’ve seen an explosion of disinformation and antisemitic hate online in America and around the world — especially since the horrific October 7 terrorist attacks…After the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, anti-Zionist extremists used social media to call for further violence, posting messages like ‘may all Zionists burn.’ Even AI platforms like Grok have posted deeply disturbing content, praising Adolf Hitler and Nazism,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “There is a massive disinformation campaign influencing us every day. Our legislation will be a new tool in our online arsenal to protect our nation against terrorists and foreign adversaries that continue to threaten us in new ways.”

“The world’s oldest hate is crossing borders and going viral. One of the main drivers supercharging the global rise in antisemitism is the unregulated proliferation of extremists online who are looking to seed divisions among us and drive hate,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “Today’s extremists exploit social media to recruit, radicalize, and incite violence – often in violation of these platforms’ own terms of service. As antisemitism and hate surge to record levels, the STOP HATE Act is a vital bipartisan bill that will hold tech platforms accountable for hosting terrorist and extremist content. This bill will provide essential oversight and ensure companies enforce their own policies. I am grateful for Congressmen Gottheimer and Bacon for their leadership and partnership on this issue, and urge Congress to pass the STOP HATE Act without delay.”

Since the brutal October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel, social media organizations have failed to stop the spread of disinformation and antisemitic hate online. State sponsors of terror and their proxies — especially Iran, Hamas, and its affiliates — consistently use social media platforms to spread propaganda and disinformation. Additionally, foreign-owned platforms — including CCP-connected TikTok — have vague content moderation policies that easily expose young Americans to propaganda from our adversaries.

Bacon and Gottheimer are announcing the bipartisan STOP HATE Act to help stop terrorism and disinformation on social media and online. This legislation is supported by ADL.

The bipartisan STOP HATE Act will:

• Require social media companies to release detailed reports of violations to their terms of service and how they are addressing content generated by Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs) or Specially Designated Global Terrorists (SDGTs).
• Require social media companies to explain the standard by which they would judge whether content generated or proliferated by terrorists would be deemed in a violation of the company’s terms of service.

• Every day social media companies do not comply, it will result in a $5 million fine.

• Require the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) to report on the use of social media by terrorist organizations.

Social media platforms are breeding grounds for antisemitic hate and disinformation:

• The ADL’s 2024 Social Media Scorecard found that the five major social media platforms — Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and X — routinely failed to act on antisemitic hate reported to them.
• Earlier this month, Grok — the AI chatbot developed by xAI — posted deeply alarming messages on the social media platform X, including support for Adolf Hitler, Nazism, extreme violence, and sexual assault.
• After the shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum, anti-Zionist extremist groups flocked to social media to call for further violence. 

• On Instagram, extremist groups posted news of the attack with the caption: “May all Zionists burn.” 
• One group leader posted the text, “Death to Nazis,” on top of photos of the victims.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06)

Washington, D.C. – With the national debt topping $36 trillion and interest payments now exceeding spending on Medicare and national defense, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) has introduced the Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act with Reps. Jared Golden (ME-02), Jack Bergman (MI-01) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03). This bipartisan bill would require the federal government to assess and report its ability to respond to major national emergencies like economic downturns, energy crises, and national security threats.

The legislation directs the Secretary of the Treasury and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to produce an annual report measuring the government’s fiscal strength and readiness. After this report is released, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) would conduct its own independent review and publish its findings to ensure accuracy and transparency.

“With our debt piling up and interest payments skyrocketing, we cannot afford to be caught flat-footed when the next emergency hits,” said Rep Ben Cline. Just like households plan ahead for tough times, the federal government must do the same. Americans deserve a clear picture of how much room we actually have to respond to future crises. Congress must face the facts and make responsible decisions now, before an emergency strikes.”

“One of the many lessons the Marine Corps taught me was to have a plan for the worst-case scenario,” Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) said. “This bipartisan bill would force Washington to be clear-eyed about our fiscal outlook in potential national emergencies, which is the necessary first step for responsible planning to keep America stable and secure.”

“We know that when a crisis hits, preparation makes all the difference. The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act is a commonsense step to ensure we’re ready to respond to whatever comes our way – whether it’s an economic downturn, a natural disaster, or a national security threat. If we’re serious about keeping our Nation strong and secure, we need to start planning ahead and making our decisions based on reality – not scrambling to prepare after the fact.” Rep. Jack Bergman added. 

“As a small business owner, I know how important it is to plan for a rainy day – and hardworking families in Southwest Washington know it too,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “Our federal government should hold itself to the same standard and be ready to weather any crisis that comes its way. Our bipartisan legislation would require annual assessments of our national fiscal strength when faced with different crises – so we can better prepare our economy to work for the American people under any circumstances.”

According to the Congressional Budget Office, interest payments on the national debt will permanently exceed defense spending. By 2050, interest costs are expected to double the size of the defense budget. Gross federal debt is projected to hit 123% of GDP by September 2025, surpassing the previous World War II-era high of 119%.

“Our national debt is not just a number. It is a real and rising threat to our way of life. It impacts our economy, our national security, and our ability to respond in times of crisis. I am proud to see Representatives Cline and Golden take up the Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act. This is a commonsense measure. Just like American families must prepare for emergencies, so should our government.” said Former Senator Joe Manchin. 

“Policymakers and the public need access to the best available analysis on how a severe economic shock may impact the federal government’s finances. While our nation’s largest banks are required to undergo regular stress tests to prepare for an unexpected shock, the federal government lacks an equivalent playbook. It is essential that the federal government be prepared for a possible fiscal emergency, and we commend Representatives Cline and Golden for introducing this bipartisan, commonsense proposal to strengthen our fiscal resilience.” said President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget Maya MacGuineas. 

Rep Ben Cline concluded “The best way to protect the American people is to be prepared. This legislation gives Congress the tools it needs to manage taxpayer dollars responsibly, respond to national emergencies, and chart a stable financial future for generations to come.”

Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) announced the introduction of the Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act, legislation to ensure surviving spouses of veterans are not unfairly denied benefits due to outdated marriage laws. The bill would align spousal benefits eligibility between the Social Security Administration (SSA) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and correct long-standing inconsistencies in VA law that prevent veteran spouses from accessing the survivor benefits their life partners earned in service to our country. 

“After hearing from a constituent who was denied survivor benefits because of outdated marriage laws, I introduced this bill to rectify this wrong,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “She had spent years caring for her veteran spouse, yet after his passing, she was left to navigate a cold and unforgiving bureaucracy that refused to recognize their life together. Sadly, her story is not unique. Across the country, too many surviving spouses are being forced to navigate a bureaucratic maze of outdated and inconsistent marriage laws at one of the most difficult times in their lives – after the loss of their life partner. The Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act will ensure these spouses are seen, heard, and treated with the dignity and respect they deserve. When a veteran serves our country, their family serves too. It’s time our laws reflect that.”

Under current law, surviving spouses are eligible for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) benefits; however, eligibility is limited to spouses who were married to the veteran for at least one year or who had a child with the veteran. A significant challenge for surviving spouses of veterans is that VA relies on inconsistent definitions of marriage to determine eligibility for survivor benefits. These rules lead to unfair outcomes, denying benefits to long-term partners whose relationships don’t fit narrow legal criteria. 

While the VA recognizes informal unions like common-law marriages in some cases, eligibility often depends on a confusing patchwork of state laws and a couple’s awareness of those laws. For example, a couple in a common-law marriage living in California (a state that does not recognize common-law marriage) may be denied benefits, while a similar couple in Colorado would qualify. To make matters worse, surviving spouses who know their state does not recognize common-law marriage can actually be at a disadvantage when applying for survivor benefits.

Additionally, the law requires that couples be legally married for at least one year for the surviving spouse to receive benefits. This arbitrary rule means someone who lived with and cared for a veteran for many years but was legally married for only six months may be denied benefits, while someone married for just over a year would qualify. In some instances, VA has even determined that a civil or religious marriage within the last year of a veteran’s life terminates an existing common-law marriage, restarting the one-year clock and further complicating eligibility.

Unlike VA, the Social Security Administration (SSA), pursuant to Section 1614 of the Social Security Act, permits a spouse to qualify for survivor benefits if they hold “themselves out to the community in which they reside as husband and wife.”

The Veterans Surviving Spouse Equity Act would synchronize spousal qualifications between SSA and VA, allowing VA to recognize a surviving spouse if they lived with the veteran in the same household for at least one year continuously until the veteran’s death, and if the couple held themselves out as married to their community, regardless of whether there was a legal or religious marriage during that year.

The Veterans’ Surviving Spouse Equity Act is endorsed by Minority Veterans of America.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Veterans’ Affairs

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

Headline: Newhouse Leads Legislation to Strengthen Tribal Law Enforcement

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.  

“As the missing and murdered indigenous women crisis continues to plague tribal communities across the country, tribal law enforcement agencies are facing serious challenges with recruiting and retaining officers and resources,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse continued, “This bipartisan legislation empowers tribal law enforcement to build and maintain strong, well-trained forces who will be far better equipped to address the MMIW crisis, counter illicit drug flow, and protect tribal communities in Central Washington. I thank members of the House and Senate on both sides of the aisle who understand the scale of these challenges and are helping to lead towards a solution.” 

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

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

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

Reps. Newhouse and Gluesenkamp Perez were joined by Reps. Tom Cole (R-OK), Sharice Davids (D-KS), Ryan Zinke (R-MT), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), John Moolenaar (R-MI), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), Michael Baumgartner (R-WA), and Angie Craig (D-MN), in introducing the legislation. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act will:  

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

See full bill text here.  

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

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representatives Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Maxine Dexter, M.D. (OR-03), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) introduced H.R.4605, the End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act, legislation that would ban prescription drug advertising in all forms.

“Pharmaceutical companies spend billions of dollars on ads that drive up the cost of their already expensive prescription drugs,” said Representative Nadler. “The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act will lower pharmaceutical drug prices for Americans by putting a stop to these wasteful ads that are banned in all but one other country in the world. It will also protect our most vulnerable by ensuring they get the best information about medical treatments from their doctors and providers, not from misleading prescription drug advertisements.” 
 
“I have spent my career delivering life-saving care to people in moments of crisis as well as those with chronic conditions,” said Representative Dexter. “Big Pharma spending billions on direct-to-consumer ads makes needed medications more expensive and erodes trust in the healthcare system. It is unethical and must be stopped. This legislation is an important step toward ensuring medical decisions are made between patients and their doctors, not by Big Pharma’s marketing machine.” 

“Prescription drug ads are a symptom of a deeper illness in our healthcare system, one where corporate marketing has more influence than public health. Big Pharma has built a system where they spend billions in marketing costs which is raising the costs of drugs,” said Representative Omar. “These ads exploit fear and make our healthcare system even more profit-driven. Banning them is a necessary step toward putting people before profit and restoring trust in medical care that centers patients, not corporations.” 
 
The End Prescription Drug Ads Now Act would ban drug manufacturers from using direct-to-consumer advertising to promote their products. Direct-to-consumer is defined as any promotional communication targeting consumers, including through television, radio, print media, digital platforms, and social media, for the purposes of marketing a prescription drug. Prescription drug ads increase drug costs and mislead patients.  
 
Last year, the top 10 drug companies made more than $100 billion in profits while the pharmaceutical industry spent over $10 billion on television ads. Prescription drug ads now account for more than 30 percent of commercial time on evening news programs on major television networks. In the first half of this year, Big Pharma spent over $1 billion on direct-to-consumer advertisements for just ten drugs. Additionally, in 2020 more money was spent on ads for prescription drugs with a lower added clinical benefit than those with a higher added benefit. 
 
Banning prescription drug ads is a commonsense reform. The United States is one of just two countries in the world that still allow direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising. The American Medical Association endorsed a ban a decade ago. The ban is endorsed by numerous health-related organizations, including Jacobs Institute of Women’s Health, MedShadow, National Center for Health Research, Our Bodies Ourselves, TMJ Association, USA Patient Network, Washington Alliance for Patient Safety, and WoodyMatters.
 
The text of the bill can be found here.

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