MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON – U.S. Representatives Jim Costa (CA-21) and Bruce Westerman (AR-04) have introduced the Boosting University Investments in Low-Income Districts (BUILD) Act, a bold bipartisan plan to channel billions in federal investment through regional public universities to transform struggling communities across America
“Regional Public Universities like Fresno State spur economic and community development in distressed communities along the Central Valley,” said Representative Costa. “For far too long, these institutions have been left behind. As a Fresno State alumnus, I am proud to introduce this groundbreaking legislation to bolster our regional economy and create new opportunities for Valley families to thrive.”
“Regional Public Universities across the Natural State are often the heartbeat of rural communities, acting as economic anchors that raise the standard of living and lead to stronger economies,” said Congressman Bruce Westerman. “The BUILD Act provides funding opportunities that ensure our regional schools like Arkansas Tech University, Southern Arkansas University, and Henderson State University, are empowered to revitalize and support our more rural communities across the Natural State. I am proud to be a cosponsor of this bill that champions both education and rural communities in a bipartisan manner, and I look forward to continuing to support legislation that benefits rural America.”
The BUILD Act recognizes that regional public universities (RPUs) are economic engines that often lack the federal support given to large research institutions. The bill would close that gap by creating a special designation for RPUs located in economically distressed communities, making them eligible for major new federal funding.
Designated universities could receive planning grants to design community-driven strategies, followed by implementation grants of $25–50 million over five years for projects such as:

Expanding Healthcare Access – Build clinics accessible to the public and train community members to become healthcare professionals.
Boosting Small Business Growth – Provide seed money to entrepreneurs and support local startups.
Modernizing Broadband – Invest in municipal broadband networks and digital infrastructure.
Revitalizing Communities – Renovate or construct housing, libraries, laboratories, museums, theaters, and cultural spaces.
Strengthening the Workforce – Launch apprenticeships, create industry partnerships, and expand job training opportunities.

This legislation would authorize up to $1.7 billion per year for five years and could benefit as many as 174 public four-year universities nationwide, including four California State University campuses: Fresno State, Cal State Los Angeles, San Diego State, and Cal Poly Pomona.
“Fresno State is pivotal to the economy and society of Central California, as we educate a majority of the region’s economic and social leaders.  As Fresno State has been partnering with industry partners for over a century, the University is perfectly positioned to lead the region in fomenting economic growth through applied research. The BUILD Act would empower Fresno State to further infuse dynamic economic energy into the Valley, a region that produces 25% of our Nation’s food,” said Dr. Saúl Jiménez-Sandoval, Ph.D., President of California State University, Fresno.
“Regional public universities like Fresno State are underutilized as major economic drivers in their communities. With additional federal support, Fresno State, with its focus on applied research emphasizing local and regional needs, could play a decisive role in providing the type of small business incubation that could dramatically fuel job growth and economic development in our community,” said Blake Zante, Executive Director of the Kenneth L. Maddy Institute.
The full text of the bill is available HERE.
The original proposal put forth by the Brookings Institute can be found HERE.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) announced his office has begun accepting submissions for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. Each spring, a nationwide high school art competition is sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Congressional Art Competition is an opportunity to recognize and encourage creativity for students across the country. 

“The Congressional Art Competition is a great opportunity for Central Valley students to express their creativity and showcase their artistic talent on the national stage,” said Congressman Valadao. “It’s always meaningful to walk through the halls of the U.S. Capitol and see CA-22 represented, and I look forward to reviewing this year’s submissions.”

Students must submit their artwork and a student release form by April 27, 2026.

The winner of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition will have their artwork displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol and will be invited to attend a winner’s reception in Washington, D.C. during the summer of 2026. Students must be in high school (Grades 9-12) to participate.

Artwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.

Accepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:

• Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.
• Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal. It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.
• Collages: must be two-dimensional
• Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints.
• Mixed media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.
• Computer-generated art
• Photographs

For a full list of rules, regulations, and submission updates, please visit www.valadao.house.gov/forms/submitartwork.

Before submitting their work, students should review the Student Submission Checklist here.

To submit your art, please send a high-resolution picture of your artwork (jpeg format) and the Student Release Form to Grace.Reis@mail.house.gov. All submission or rule questions should be directed to Grace Reis at Grace.Reis@mail.house.gov or by calling (202) 225-4695.

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

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after President Trump announced a “framework of a future deal” on Greenland with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte:

“If the President’s announcement of a future deal on Greenland results in a necessary U.S. pullback of threats and, in the future, necessary Arctic security investments, then that might be some relief for allies. Without their strong response, along with bipartisan blowback in Congress, it is doubtful the White House would have backed down from its irresponsible actions that benefited only Russia and China.

“For some time, NATO country parliamentarians have called for more focus on the Arctic, or the High North as some call it. In fact, U.S. security investment in the region has often lagged behind other Arctic countries.

“I have been a long-time advocate for increasing Arctic security investments that show U.S. attention to a region that many have treated as ‘out of sight, out mind.’

“I hope NATO Secretary General Rutte is able to put meat on the bones of what seems to be more of an aspirational framework than anything real. The NATO Parliamentary Assembly has already done much of the work on what is needed in the Arctic. I hope the Secretary General utilizes it.”

Rep. Larsen is a member of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (NATO PA), which facilitates awareness and understanding of the key issues affecting the security of the Euro-Atlantic area and supports national parliamentary oversight over defense and security.

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

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

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

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

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

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

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02), Chair of the HIV/AIDS Caucus, introduced the PrEP Access Act, a bill that would allow Medicare beneficiaries to receive screening of HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) services at their pharmacy. Currently, the only way to access PrEP and PEP is through a prescription from a licensed healthcare provider. Taking PrEP reduces the risk of getting HIV from sexual exposure by 99 percent.

“As chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, this bill just makes sense,” Rep. Pocan said. “We’ve made great strides in fighting this disease, but there is still more we can do. Making it easier for people to screen for this disease and access preventive medicine, rather than making folks go through hoops, is the right thing to do. Although prevention tools such as PrEP and PEP have transformed our ability to prevent HIV, access remains uneven and critically underutilized. We should be utilizing all available resources to bring this lifesaving medication to patients, including pharmacies.”

“The PrEP Access Act ensures Medicare beneficiaries can receive lifesaving HIV prevention services where and when they need them. States already authorize pharmacists to screen and furnish PrEP and PEP—this legislation guarantees Medicare coverage so patients can receive timely pharmacist-provided care, which can mean the difference between preventing HIV or facing lifelong infection. I commend the leadership of Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus Chair Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-2) and the other caucus members, and I urge Congress to act now and pass this bill to save lives and help end HIV by 2030,” stated Michael D. Hogue, PharmD, FAPhA, FNAP, FFIP, CEO, American Pharmacists Association (APhA).

Text of the legislation can be found here.

Co-sponsors include: Mark Pocan (WI-02), Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

Endorsing organizations include: American Pharmacists Association, Advocates for Youth, AIDS United, Association of Nurses in AIDS Care, AVAC, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, International Association of Providers of AIDS Care, NASTAD, NMAC, PrEP4All, RxEACH Initiative, Treatment Action Group, AIDS Alabama, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Birmingham AIDS Outreach, Five Horizons Health Services, The Project of the Quad Cities, and Health Services Center

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — chairman emeritus and current vice chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security — spoke at a full committee hearing titled, “Oversight of the Department of Homeland Security: CISA, TSA, S&T.”

During his tenure as chairman, McCaul authored the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Act and championed the passage of the Cyber Information Sharing Act. During today’s hearing, he underscored the importance of both initatives and asked Acting CISA Director Dr. Gottumukkala about their status.

Click to watch

Transcript of McCaul’s Exchange:

MCCAUL: Let me just say first, when I was chairman of this committee in 2015, we passed the Cyber Information Sharing Act, the ranking member and I did, together. It’s been a very bipartisan issue. In 2018, we passed the Cyber Security and Information Security Agency permanent authorization. And the reason why I’m going through this legislative history [is] it’s very important to know what is still authorized today and what is not. One of the most critical pieces of CISA as we imagined in Congress was to share information with the private sector — not only to the private sector but from the private sector, which holds about 80% of the cyber threat information. Would you agree with that, sir?

GOTTUMUKKALA: Yes sir.

MCCAUL: So that was vitally important as the authors of this agency, and we had quite a battle, I’d say, with [the House Intelligence Committee] over whether this should be warehoused under the National Security Agency, which is not a civilian agency. To interact with the private sector, we thought a civilian agency would be the better fit. I like to think that we were right about that. But then the goal was to expand the capabilities so that you can meet those requirements. Do you feel that you have those capabilities today?

GOTTUMUKKALA: Sir, the CISA 2015, the Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act that you are referring to, it provides the legal foundation for cyber threat information sharing between the federal government and the private sector, and it remains one of the most important authorities for defending the U.S. critical infrastructure against increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

MCCAUL: Now let me go back to the authorizations, because this is really important for the committee members to know. Now, CISA the agency was permanently authorized, so there’s no expiration. However, there is one on the Cyber Information Sharing Act, which was brought about by a compromise with various members who would not vote for it unless we put that expiration term in there. So … it will expire on January 30th of this year. …

It is not in the Homeland appropriations that we’re voting on this week. My question to you is: While you still have appropriations to the majority of your agency, if not all, to not be authorized — to have a lapse in authorization — at this point in time where the cyber threat is far greater today than when Mr. Thompson and I first created the agency and the [Cyber] Information Sharing Act, in addition coupled with the World Cup FIFA events coming up, the Olympics, and our 250th anniversary of the republic… How does that harm your efforts to protect the nation?

GOTTUMUKKALA: Congressman, thank you again. Like I said, I personally support and DHS also supports the long-term reauthorization of CISA 2015, and I understand that the act expires January 30th. One of the strengths of CISA is the partnership and collaboration with the private sector, and the private sector understands that this will be extended through the continuing resolution. And we have worked with Chairman Garbarino and the committee and the widespread information-

MCCAUL: This is not your fault; this is congress’s fault. I think the [committee] has done its job, but the Senate has not done their job on this. And so it’s vitally important — and this is a message to the Senate — that when we do pass this again, that the Senate reauthorize your mission. Otherwise, your ability to collect 80% of the threat information from the private sector is gone; you’re no longer authorized to do that by law. And so that is why that is so important, sir. And this has, as Mr. Thompson knows, always been a bipartisan issue. I really hope, I don’t have any doubt in my colleagues on the other side of the aisle or in the House that we’re going to get this done, but the Senate, for the sake of the nation and our security, needs to act on this. It is highly irresponsible and quite frankly, it’s just downright dangerous what they’re doing, and they’re playing games with something that’s very serious.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Applauds Passage of Legislation to Improve AI Security, Counter Narco-Terrorism in House Foreign Affairs Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today released the following statement opposing the Homeland Security appropriations bill due to its funding of Immigration and Customs Enforcement:

“ICE has been terrorizing the people I represent. I will not vote to give one more dime to President Trump’s personal secret police until it’s brought under control.

“What we are seeing in our neighborhoods is not law enforcement. It’s gestapo-like provocation. ICE is deliberately escalating chaos, flooding our communities with fear, ripping parents from children, traumatizing families and operating as if they are above the law. This is not about public safety – it is federally sanctioned violence with impunity.

“Ranking Member DeLauro should be commended for forcing through the Republican-controlled Appropriations Committee some long-overdue ICE reforms and additional disaster-relief funding for LA wildfire victims. But I still believe every new dollar handed to ICE right now is a green light for more abuse, particularly when they already received billions of new funding under the Republican tax scam.

“ICE is out of control. It has shown that it cannot be trusted. If we want to stop the damage, terror and lawlessness, we must stop funding ICE and hold them accountable.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

On the anniversary of the Monterey Park shooting, Rep. Chu remembers those lost and reintroduces commonsense measures to prevent gun violence

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Three years ago today, the community of Monterey Park, California, was forever changed by a mass shooting at Star Dance Studio that claimed the lives of 11 beloved neighbors and left 9 others seriously injured. It was the deadliest mass shooting in Los Angeles County history and occurred on the eve of Lunar New Year, turning what should have been a joyful celebration into a devastating tragedy for a close-knit, predominantly Asian American community. 

Today and every day, we remember:

Valentino Marcos Alvero
Hongying Jian
Yu-Lun Kao
LiLan Li
Ming Wei Ma
Mymy Nhan
Diana Man Ling Tom
Muoi Dai Ung
Chia Ling Yau
Wen-Tau Yu
Xiujuan Yu

Rep. Chu released the following statement:

“Not a day goes that I don’t grieve our eleven neighbors who we lost so senselessly in a mass shooting three years ago. To honor their lives, I believe we must transform our grief into action by working to end gun violence, so no other community has to endure the devastation of a mass shooting. 

“Monterey Park is a predominantly Asian American community, where many residents have limited English proficiency and were not made aware of how to exercise gun safety tools available to them, like red flag laws and federal guidance on gun violence prevention. The shooting made it clear that our communities need Congress to address these gaps. 

“That is why I am reintroducing two bills to help put an end to gun violence in America. The first, the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act, would require outreach about red flag laws, gun violence prevention, and gun safety by federal government agencies to include robust in-language materials, outreach to Limited English Proficient (LEP) communities, and culturally competent education to community providers and law enforcement.

“The second, the Fair Legal Access Grants (FLAG) Act, would ensure that anyone filing a red flag petition – a legal request asking a court to grant an Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) to temporarily remove firearms from someone who poses a danger to themselves or others – has access to resources like legal representation,” said Rep. Chu. 

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) will be reintroducing these bills in the Senate.

“Expanding and strengthening red flag laws across the country is a necessary step forward in making our communities safer. All too often, school administrators, law enforcement officers, and family members don’t have the time or support needed to navigate our court system and successfully file a red flag claim when they notice an individual with access to firearms exhibiting troubling or potentially dangerous behavior,” said Senator Gillibrand. “My FLAG Act and the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act would empower community members with the tools and services needed to intervene and help remove firearms from individuals who may pose a danger to themselves or others. I am proud to work with Representative Chu to help make our communities safer and end firearm tragedies.”

The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act has been endorsed by the National Immigration Law Center (NILC), Newtown Action Alliance, Giffords, Everytown for Gun Safety. The FLAG act has been endorsed by Newtown Action Alliance andEverytown for Gun Safety.

Rep. Chu continued, “While it has been deeply disheartening to watch President Trump dismantle the historic gun violence prevention progress that President Biden and Democrats fought tirelessly to achieve, I will not stop fighting to protect all of our communities from gun violence. Monterey Park deserves better, and our country must do more to protect our communities and prevent gun violence. 

“So, as we honor the lives lost three years ago in Monterey Park, let us recommit to coming together to pass strong, comprehensive gun safety reforms and finally put an end to gun violence.”

The Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act would:

• Provide for competent, community reviewed, translations of all public facing resources provided by DOJ and HHS related to gun violence prevention strategies;
• Direct the Attorney General to ensure federal grant applications for funds related to the creation and implementation of extreme risk protection orders and other prevention efforts incorporate meaningful engagement with communities with high numbers of individuals with Limited English Proficiency; and
• Direct the Attorney General and Secretary of HHS to develop and implement a national public awareness campaign for federally supported gun violence prevention strategies and firearm ownership safety with a focus on outreach and engagement with LEP communities.

The FLAG Act would provide $50 million in annual funding to states and local governments to provide access to legal counsel and other legal services. Eligible recipients include police departments, district attorney offices, community-based legal aid organizations, and more.

Click HERE for the full bill text for the Language Access to Gun Violence Prevention Strategies Act.
Click HERE for the full bill text for the FLAG Act.