MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on NY1’s Inside City Hall, where he emphasized that ahead of the midterm election, House Democrats are unified in their commitment to lower the high cost of living and defeat Republican corruption once and for all.

ERROL LOUIS: Welcome back to Inside City Hall. With just over 90 days to go until the midterm elections, Democratic leaders have entered what they are calling a sprint to flip control of Congress. My next guest has been spending his time traveling all around the country stumping for candidates who want to do just that. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries represents parts of Brooklyn that include all or part of Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York and Coney Island. Congressman Jeffries joins me now from Brooklyn to talk about the upcoming midterms and more. Good evening, and welcome back to the program.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Great to be with you, Errol.

ERROL LOUIS: So, as of tonight, 92 days until the midterms. What is this Democratic sprint to the finish line going to look like?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’ve made clear our promise to the American people is that we’re fighting for an affordable America. We recognize that life in this country is far too expensive. There are too many folks who are working hard, they’re playing by the rules, but they are struggling to live paycheck to paycheck, cannot thrive and can barely survive. So we need to turn that situation around. And we’re committed to lowering the cost of groceries, lowering the cost of gas, lowering the cost of housing and making life more affordable in this great country.

ERROL LOUIS: Last week, we spoke with one of your colleagues, Representative Tom Suozzi, who was one of only two Democrats that flipped Republican districts to Democratic in districts that Trump also won in 2024. Here’s what he had to say.

RECORDING OF REP. TOM SUOZZI: Well, if you look at the DSA candidates that won for Congress, they won in deep, deep blue seats in primaries. You know, they don’t have to worry about the general. They only have to worry about the primaries. And who votes in primaries but this far-left part of the Party? Look at the Republicans who win the MAGA seats, the Freedom Caucus folks. They win in deep, deep red seats. They just try to appeal to this fringe of the Party. It’s not going to sell to the country. It’s always 40%, 40% and that 20% in the middle is where the fight is. And we’ve got to appeal to those folks. And I can guarantee you, you’re not going to appeal to them with a platform that says open the borders and defund the police and get rid of the Senate.

ERROL LOUIS: So I’m sure you’ve heard this before, Congressman. He thinks 40% of the electorate is very progressive, 40% is MAGA conservative. The battle for control is a fight for the 20% in the middle. Is that your analysis as well?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, we’re working hard to make sure that Tom Suozzi is reelected, of course, along with Laura Gillen and Josh Riley here in New York. And we’re also going to flip a seat in NY-17 in the Westchester, Rockland County area currently held by Mike Lawler. Cait Conley, a decorated Marine—a decorated combat veteran, I should say—is going to win that seat, and she’s running hard on the affordability message and solving problems for hardworking American taxpayers. I think that in order to win these elections—it’s going to be a competitive general election landscape, Errol—that we have to do two things: energize the base while, of course, moving swing voters, centrist voters, moderate voters, Independent voters in our direction. Candidates like Tom Suozzi have proven that they can do that incredibly well, as well as our Frontline candidates all across the country. And then we’ve got to flip a handful of seats in order to take back control of the House of Representatives. I think what unifies Democrats across the country and aligns with Independents and swing voters is the reality that we have to lower the high cost of living in the United States of America, and that affordability message is going to be critical to our success.

ERROL LOUIS: Congressman Suozzi specifically says that Democrats should be challenging the DSA’s national platform, which calls for, among other things, abolishing the U.S. Senate, the U.S. Supreme Court, opening the national borders, having the government take outright ownership of major industries. Is that a conversation that you want to have? He says he’s going to get tarred with all of this anyhow, and so they—there needs to be some kind of a response. What do you think about that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, I certainly don’t support open borders, I don’t support defunding the police and I don’t support abolishing the Senate. But I do support the notion that we’ve got to fix what’s broken here in the United States of America and ensure that capitalism can actually serve the greatest number of people, that the economy works for working-class Americans and that we’ve got to do all that we can to make life more comfortable, more affordable and ensure that everyone has access to a middle-class life. That, again, I think is a principle that unifies not just Democrats across the ideological spectrum, but Independents, of course, are abandoning Republicans in droves because they know that Republicans haven’t done a damn thing to actually make life more affordable for the American people. In fact, because of Trump policies, like the Trump tariffs, costs have gone up. Increased expenses on everyday Americans, everyday New Yorkers, by thousands of dollars per year. And of course, Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice in Iran has skyrocketed gas prices and made life more expensive. We need to push back against all of that and move this country in a different direction.

ERROL LOUIS: Let me ask you about the dynamic—actually, Congressman Suozzi talked about this as well—the dynamic, broadly speaking, historically that social movements push the Democrats from the outside to push for environmental legislation or the labor movement that pushed FDR, the Civil Rights Movement that pushed President Johnson, the Occupy Wall Street movement that tried to push President Obama and spawn the Sunrise Movement. Is there a role for DSA activists to create momentum for the legislation that you want to see pass that you just described?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, primary voters are going to make their decisions, and I will always respect the will of primary voters in those deep blue districts. At the same period of time, I think what is clear—in order for Democrats to go from the minority into the majority so we can end this national nightmare, we do have to own the center and win over centrist voters, Independent voters and swing voters. At the end of the day, that is the only way for us to be in a position to govern and to get big things done for the American people. I do think, again, that what unites all of us at this moment in time is going to be the fact that the cost of living is too high. America is way too expensive. And in this country, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, it should not be stressful when you have to go to the grocery store, but it is right now. It should not be stressful when you have to fill up your gas tank, but it is right now. It certainly shouldn’t be stressful when you have to pay your rent or pay the mortgage, but for millions of people all across our city, our state, our region and the country, it’s way too stressful because the cost of living is too high, and we’re committed to relentlessly driving it down.

ERROL LOUIS: OK. The last time you and I spoke was on primary night. Shortly after our conversation, in fact, while it was airing, there’s this video of people chanting, ‘You’re next.’ It went viral. This was on the night when two Democratic incumbents were defeated, and the choice of a third incumbent, Nydia Velázquez, also lost. This is a little bit about what that sounded like.

[Recording of people chanting]

ERROL LOUIS: It’s a brief enough moment, but I know you well enough to know that you don’t take political challenges lightly. Are New York’s Democrats planning to compete with or eventually do battle against the DSA?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, primaries are a way of life, and so to the extent that people have an interest in primaring any of us, certainly myself, come on in, the water is warm. What is interesting—I did see some clips of that particular gathering. It didn’t necessarily resemble, in terms of demographically, the working-class communities of color that I represent in large parts of the district, certainly in traditional Bedford-Stuyvesant, in Brownsville, in East New York, in Canarsie, the west end of Coney Island or, for that matter, the neighborhoods in Southern Brooklyn that I represent. So, people are going to do what they do and are free to do what they want to do moving forward. And in the House of Representatives, we only have a two-year employment contract. We’ve gotta go make our case every two years to the voters, and that’s certainly something that all of us should take seriously and be prepared to do aggressively in advance of the 2028 cycle. But what’s in front of us—it’s ironic to me that you’ve got some folks who are focused on 2028 primaries when we have an existential crisis in the United States of America right now and we’ve got to go actually defeat Republicans who have jammed extremism down the throats of the American people, ripped up the Voting Rights Act, made life more expensive, gone to war over in Iran. And it’s just been one disaster after another. And so at this moment in time, Errol, I think those of us in the congressional delegation are going to focus on actually doing what’s necessary to take back control of the House of Representatives.

ERROL LOUIS: You keep a better running count, obviously, than most of the rest of us, but with all of the redistricting that has happened, some of it has been in conservative states, some of it has been in progressive states. Some of it is intended to create Republican-leaning seats, some Democratic-leaning seats. Where do things stand? Last time I talked to you, you said you thought there were about 45 seats that you could try and flip, keeping in mind that in 2018, I think it was something like 41 seats that changed hands.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, so we began this Congress just three seats short, holding Republicans after the 2024 election to the narrowest majority that any Congress has held since 1930. As a result of what the Supreme Court has unleashed with its horrific decision to gut the Voting Rights Act and then as a result of what Republicans have done in a handful of states in the South by bringing to life Jim Crow-like tactics to try to rip up districts that were designed to give historically discriminated-against communities in the South, the opportunity—Black communities—to elect the candidates of their choice, it may be the case, Errol, that we’ve got to flip a total of about six seats net in this upcoming general election, which by the way, as you pointed out, Errol, is just a fraction of the 40 seats that we flipped on election night in November of 2018 during Donald Trump’s first midterm election. So we’re going to run through the finish line. We’re focused, of course, on fighting for an affordable America, lowering the high cost of living, making healthcare affordable for every single New Yorker and every single American and at the same period of time combating corruption and holding the crooks accountable who are making life more expensive for the American people.

ERROL LOUIS: Okay, let me ask you. We got to end on a local note, of course, Congressman. There’s this fight going on right now to control the Brooklyn Democratic Organization, which is the second-largest county in the nation of enrolled Democrats. Are you supporting the current leader, Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, or the reform group that is trying to replace her?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yeah, you know what? I haven’t had a conversation with either Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and I don’t know this individual who has been put forth by the alternate slate of district leaders. I do look forward to having a conversation, certainly initially, with the current Chairwoman about her intentions before deciding how best to move forward in ensuring that we have an effective and an equitable and an inclusive Brooklyn Democratic Party.

ERROL LOUIS: Okay, we will leave it there for now. Best of luck on the campaign trail in this final sprint. Thanks so much for spending some time with us.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you so much.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (EPW), today led 90 members of Congress in submitting an amicus brief to the Supreme Court in the case of Suncor Energy Inc. v. County Commissioners of Boulder County.  The brief explains that the Clean Air Act, the Constitution, and federal foreign policy do not prevent states and localities from holding oil and gas companies accountable for climate-related harms stemming from deceptive marketing and sales of their knowingly harmful products.  

As climate change intensifies natural disasters, states and local governments face billions of dollars in climate change-driven damages.  The County and the City of Boulder (respondents) sued fossil fuel companies (petitioners) under state tort law in Colorado court to “protect Boulder’s property and to care for residents’ safety,” alleging that the fossil fuel companies knew their products were harmful but deliberately concealed that information from consumers.  Before the Supreme Court, the fossil fuel companies incorrectly argue that the Clean Air Act, the Constitution, and federal foreign policy preempt Boulder’s claims.  The lawmakers filed a brief to ensure that federal statutes and federal authority are not improperly used as cudgels to preempt states’ powers to protect their citizens.

The lawmakers’ brief explains that the Clean Air Act does not preempt state tort suits seeking to address harms caused by the deceptive marketing and sales of fossil fuels.  While Congress knows how to preempt state laws when it chooses, “the Clean Air Act’s text, structure, and purpose show that Congress has not preempted respondents’ state tort claims.  The Act is intended to improve air quality primarily through emission reductions and thus does not reach respondents’ claims that petitioners engaged in the tortious conduct of deceptive marketing and sales of their knowingly harmful products. . . .   Petitioners’ argument ignores the mismatch between the conduct at issue in respondents’ claims and the conduct that Congress sought to regulate in the Act.  This fatal flaw should end the Court’s inquiry.”

Further, “even if petitioners were correct that respondents’ claims could incidentally reduce or even directly regulate emissions (which they do not), the Clean Air Act’s text, structure, and purpose permit that.”   In the Act, “Congress expressly empowered state regulations beyond the federal standards and preserved state authority to seek ‘any’ relief under ‘any statute or common law.’”  Congress thus “ensure[d] that the Act sets a federal floor to prevent a ‘race to the bottom’ but otherwise largely leaves state power intact, recognizing the enduring role of States in pollution regulation.”  The oil companies’ novel presumption in favor of preemption would invert traditional principles of federalism and undermine Congress’s authority to choose when and how federal law displaces state law.     

“Petitioners hardly disguise their intent to upend decades of this Court’s jurisprudence respecting Congress’s legislative choices and state sovereignty in our federal system,” the lawmakers write.  The petitioners’ argument “would turn any regulatory regime for a national industry into a default liability shield for deceptive practices or other misconduct.”  The members added, “This is not how Congress legislates: Congress does not implicitly create liability shields for tortious conduct whenever it regulates within a field…  Instead, even where Congress does preempt traditional state authority, it often carves out consumer protection claims, recognizing the importance of States’ ability to protect citizens from fraud-based harm.”

The lawmakers also refute the petitioners’ assertion that Congressionally approved foreign policy preempts respondents’ claims.  Petitioners “fail to identify any foreign policy in tension with respondents’ claims, much less the clear and substantial conflict with federal foreign policy typically required to preempt state laws operating in a traditional area of state authority…  Petitioners’ attempt to gin up a conflict between federal foreign policy and respondents’ tort claims falls short.”  

Joining Whitehouse and Jayapal in signing the amicus brief were Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Chirs Van Hollen (D-MD), Peter Welch (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), along with 77 members of the House.  

Full text of the brief is available here. 

Issues: Environment

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Manteca Animal Shelter serves approximately 1,500 animals per year

WATCH: $850,000 for new kennels, in-house clinic, spay and neuter equipment, and expanded community outreach

MANTECA – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) toured the Manteca Animal Shelter with local elected officials, law enforcement partners, and animal advocates and held a check presentation ceremony for $850,000 in federal funding he secured for a major expansion of the facility. The funding will provide for new kennels, an upgraded in-house clinic which will include new spay and neuter equipment, and expanded community partnerships and outreach.

“Securing funding for major upgrades at the Manteca Animal Shelter is a win-win for beloved animals in our community and for our families,” said Rep. Harder. “My wife Pam and I have fostered several dogs over the years and we’ve seen firsthand how hard the staff at the shelter work to care for these animals. This funding is going to help that work go even further to return lost pets, rescue animals off the streets, and get them placed into their forever homes.”

The Manteca Animal Shelter is an award-winning no-kill shelter that serves approximately 1,500 animals every single year and provides animal transportation, emergency veterinary services, animal conflict resolution, and community education. 

Harder was joined by staff from the Manteca Animal Shelter, representatives from the Manteca City Council, local law enforcement, and animal welfare advocates during the tour and ceremony.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

More housing grants, expanded loan financing for affordable housing

VIDEO from the construction site tour is available here

TRACY – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) traveled to one of the fastest-growing communities in California with the Housing Authority County of San Joaquin to highlight how his bills that just became law will make it easier for families to own a home in the Valley. Harder toured the construction of an affordable housing project managed by the Housing Authority, met with local workers and developers, and discussed how his new laws will get more homes built and lower housing costs.

For decades, Washington looked the other way while the housing crisis grew worse:

• California is short millions of homes, and more than half the state is cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on rent. 
• Higher housing prices have pushed the median homebuying age to nearly 60 and the first-time homebuying age to 40, boxing out an entire generation from homeownership.
• In San Joaquin County alone, families need to earn over $130,000 annually to afford a home, which is 40% higher than the county’s average household income.

“One third of young adults are still living at home because we don’t have enough housing and prices are skyrocketing as a result,” said Rep. Harder. “That’s why I stood up to the gridlock in Washington and helped negotiate and pass the strongest housing package in half a century, which included my bills to get more homes built in the Valley. Finally being able to own a home is about to get easier for our families and the next generation.”

How Harder’s bills will unlock homeownership in the Valley:

• New Federal Housing Grants – Harder’s Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones Act authorizes the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to give priority to Opportunity Zone communities when awarding competitive housing grants.
• Expanded Loan Financing for Affordable Housing – Harder’s Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act increases limits on loans for manufactured homes and opens up new financing for ADUs, which offer families an early path to homeownership.
• More Housing Projects Finished Faster and Cheaper – The broader package also includes provisions to cut paperwork, speed up environmental reviews, and reduce costly bureaucracy that drives up housing costs.

“For too long, we’ve approached the housing crisis by treating the symptoms instead of addressing the underlying barriers that make housing so difficult and expensive to build,” said Peter Ragsdale, Executive Director of the Housing Authority County of San Joaquin. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is critical because it recognizes the need to produce more housing, reduce regulations that limit production, and invest in the communities that have been left behind. Congressman Harder’s legislation also expands financing for manufactured housing and other smaller housing options. There isn’t a single solution to California’s housing shortage. We need apartments, manufactured housing, and accessory dwelling units. Every housing type that provides quality, affordable, and desirable homes should be part of the solution.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Harder led calls for NIH to join national initiative connecting scientists, artificial intelligence, supercomputers, and federal research data

New mission aims to use artificial intelligence to cure cancer, Alzheimer’s two times faster

WASHINGTON – Today, following his calls for new biomedical research infrastructure, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) celebrated the launch of a new partnership between the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Genesis Mission, a new federal research initiative designed to speed up breakthrough science. Harder pushed language to expand the Genesis Mission and support AI-driven drug discovery at the NIH, which was included in the FY27 LHHS Appropriations bill leading up to this partnership. The NIH’s new Bio Genesis Mission will connect scientists, federal datasets, artificial intelligence and advanced computing to accelerate biomedical research and get new treatments to patients faster. 

“The scientists on the front lines fighting cancer, Alzheimer’s, and the diseases that touch every American family deserve the best tools this country can offer,” said Rep. Harder. “I pushed for NIH to join the Genesis Mission because breakthroughs happen faster when our researchers have AI and advanced computing at their fingertips. This launch is a major step toward finding new cures, lowering the cost of treatments, and getting lifesaving medicine to patients faster.” 

The Mission will initially focus on six major biomedical challenges:

• Unlocking Pediatric Cancer Cures –The mission will apply AI to research across hundreds of rare childhood cancer subtypes to help identify new treatments and accelerate the search for cures.
• Faster Drug Discovery – Researchers will use AI and advanced computing to identify promising new medicines and find new uses for treatments that already exist.
• Chronic Disease Research – The initiative will combine health, environmental, and biological data to better understand the root causes of chronic diseases.
• More Predictive Biomedical Models – Scientists will work to improve their ability to predict how living systems behave, helping researchers develop and test treatments more effectively.
• Stronger Biosecurity – The mission will use AI to identify biological threats earlier and strengthen the country’s ability to respond.
• American Biomanufacturing – The initiative will help turn scientific discoveries into medicines and technologies that can be produced here in the United States.

Read Harder’s letter to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios here.

Harder is also leading bipartisan, landmark legislation to invest in higher-risk, higher-reward research at the NIH by creating a new, four-part funding series at the agency dedicated to foundational discovery, toolbuilding, biomedical regranting, and new institution seeding. Harder also serves as Chair of the bipartisan Build America Caucus, which was founded to pass pro-growth policies across infrastructure, energy, housing, health care, and technology.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Kim Schrier joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letter to President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state. 

On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026. The National Weather Service upgraded the Red Flag Warning on Saturday, to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. The Spokane Area Fires consist of the Old Trails Fire burning in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burning near Nine Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burning in Mead. Over 700 structures have been lost in the fires so far and over 14,000 structures are threatened, 67,000 people have been evacuated, the three fires have burned over 8,000 acres combined and are still 0% contained, nearly 1,000 firefighters are battling fires in the Spokane area, and thousands of more people remain under a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation.

“Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control,” wrote Senator Murray and the other members of the delegation. 

Joining Senator Murray in the letter to President Trump were Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Rick Larsen (D, WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10).

“These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers,” the lawmakers continued. “Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need.”

“While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need,” the lawmakers concluded. 

The full letter is available HERE and below:

Dear Mr. President, 

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s August 2nd request for an expedited Emergency Declaration due to the devastating wildfires raging in Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, and Yakima Counties. In addition to the counties, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Spokane Tribe of Indians are also listed in Washington’s expedited Emergency Declaration request. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible. 

Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control. 

These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers. 

Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need. 

While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need. We appreciate your prompt attention to the state’s request.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

Rep. Craig’s letter follows the Department’s decision to gut staff and offload responsibilities

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

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Washington state’s entire Congressional delegation in a letterto President Donald Trump urging him to approve Washington state Governor Bob Ferguson’s request last night for an expedited Emergency Declaration for the devastating wildfires sweeping through Central and Eastern Washington state.

On Saturday, Governor Bob Ferguson declared a statewide wildfire emergency and issued a statewide burn ban through September 30, 2026. The National Weather Service upgraded the Red Flag Warning on Saturday, to a Particularly Dangerous Situation, which is very rare and typically reserved for extreme fire weather conditions. The Spokane Area Fires consist of the Old Trails Fire burning in northwest Spokane, the Autumn Lane Fire burning near Nine Mile Falls, and the Fairview Fire burning in Mead. Over 700 structures have been lost in the fires so far and over 14,000 structures are threatened, 67,000 people have been evacuated, the three fires have burned over 8,000 acres combined and are still 0% contained, nearly 1,000 firefighters battling fires in the Spokane area, and thousands of more people remain under a Level 3 (Go Now!) evacuation.

“Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control,” wrote Larsen and the members of the delegation.

Rep. Larsen joined Senators Patty Murray (D-WA) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA), and U.S. Representatives Michael Baumgartner (R, WA-05), Suzan DelBene (D, WA-01), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D, WA-03), Dan Newhouse (R, WA-04), Emily Randall (D, WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (D, WA-07), Kim Schrier (D, WA-08), Adam Smith (D, WA-09) and Marilyn Strickland (D, WA-10) in the letter to President Trump.

“These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers,” the lawmakers continued. “Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need.”

“While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full letter is available below and HERE.

Dear Mr. President,

As members of the Washington state delegation, we write in support of Washington state’s August 2nd request for an expedited Emergency Declaration due to the devastating wildfires raging in Chelan, Ferry, Okanogan, Spokane, Stevens, and Yakima Counties. In addition to the counties, the Confederated Tribes and Bands of the Yakama Nation, Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and Spokane Tribe of Indians are also listed in Washington’s expedited Emergency Declaration request. We implore you to approve the request for assistance as quickly as possible.

Large and fast-moving wildfires are burning in Central and Eastern Washington. Dangerous conditions, including strong winds, low humidity, and extremely high temperatures, intensified existing fires and ignited new fires, the worst of which started in Spokane and Stevens Counties on Saturday, August 1. According to the Northwest Coordination Center (NWCC), the Pacific Northwest is experiencing wildfire activity not normally seen until much later in the fire season. Between record-setting drought and record low snowpack, the state and Central and Eastern Washington were left vulnerable to fires that burn longer, spread faster, and are increasingly resistant to control.

These fires spread rapidly, jumping roads and rivers, forcing thousands of residents to evacuate quickly, with many escaping with little more than they could carry. So far, roughly 700 structures have been destroyed in Spokane, including entire neighborhoods, while many remain threatened. As the fires continue to burn, this number is expected to climb. Hundreds of people have completely lost their homes and farms, and many are prohibited from returning to their homes or neighborhoods as crews continue to extinguish smoldering embers.

Firefighting crews from around the country, as well as international firefighting forces, have deployed to Washington state and are working overtime to suppress these fires, while National Guard members are assisting local first responders with evacuations and firefighting. Expedited federal assistance will help continue these efforts and ensure that state and local agencies have the resources they need.

While local, state, and federal resources deployed quickly to respond to the wildfires, federal assistance is needed as firefighting, evacuations, and emergency shelter operations are ongoing. Expedited federal assistance is critical and will help firefighting crews continue to suppress these persistent wildfires and protect the businesses, farms, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential homes from devastation, all while ensuring those displaced by the fires have the support and resources they need. We appreciate your prompt attention to the state’s request.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC), introduced the PREVENT ESRD Act. The Legislation establishes a program to encourage health plans to invest in earlier detection and treatment of chronic kidney disease before patients develop end-stage renal disease (ESRD). 

     Under the bill, participating health plans would improve access to kidney screenings, medications, nutrition services, care coordination, and other preventive treatments while reducing or eliminating patient cost-sharing for key kidney care services. These investments should successfully slow the progression of kidney disease and reduce Medicare spending, while saving lives. 

     The legislation has been endorsed by the American Kidney Fund (AKF), the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, Alliance for Aging Research, Amputee Coalition, American Society of Nephrology, The ERISA Industry Committee (ERIC), Gerontological Society of America (GSA), Global Coalition on Aging, IgA Nephropathy Foundation, League of United Latin American Citizens, The Mended Hearts, Inc., National Alliance for Caregiving (NAC), National Alliance of Purchaser Coalitions, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP), NCBA Inc., The National Consumer League (NCL), National Kidney Foundation (NKF), NephCure, Renal Physicians Association (RPA). The joint endorsement letter can be read here.   

     “Kidney disease affects millions of Americans, yet far too many are not diagnosed until it is too late. The PREVENT ESRD Act takes a commonsense approach by encouraging earlier screening, expanding access to proven treatments, and rewarding better outcomes that improve patients’ lives while reducing costs for taxpayers. I am grateful to work to help Americans stay healthier and strengthen the future of healthcare. I dedicate this fight to the late Karen Metz, wife of my Chief of Staff Craig Metz, who courageously battled kidney disease,” said Rep. Wilson.

     “Research shows early intervention in kidney care could save Medicare more than $9 billion and employers over $35 billion annually. But beyond the significant economic savings, the human burden of kidney disease could be reduced if we pass legislation that could meaningfully change the trajectory of kidney disease. The American Kidney Fund thanks U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson for introducing the “Prevent ESRD Act” and leading bipartisan efforts to advance the fight against kidney disease. We urge Congress to support the legislation on behalf of 37 million Americans with kidney disease, and millions more at risk,” said LaVarne Burton, President and Chief Executive Officer, American Kidney Fund. 

      The National Kidney Foundation applauds this legislation’s innovative approach to preventing the progression to kidney failure. Too many Americans are diagnosed too late, when treatment options become more limited and costs to patients, families, employers, and the healthcare system increase dramatically. By encouraging investment in early detection, education, and proven treatments, this has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of Americans affected by CKD while reducing unnecessary healthcare spending. We look forward to working with Congress and stakeholders to advance policies that help more people maintain their kidney health and avoid kidney failure,” said Dr. Jesse Roach, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, National Kidney Foundation.

     “Large employers see firsthand the human and financial toll of chronic kidney disease on workers, families, and the health care system. A voluntary kidney care shared savings demonstration is exactly the kind of commonsense, bipartisan solution we need—one that rewards earlier screening, better care coordination, and access to effective treatments before patients progress to kidney failure. By aligning incentives for health plans, employers, providers, and Medicare, this model can help delay or prevent ESRD, improve quality of life for millions of Americans, and generate meaningful savings for taxpayers and employer-sponsored health plans alike,” said Melissa Barlett, Senior Vice President, Health Policy, ERISA Industry Committee.

     “Too many Americans never get the chance to age healthily because kidney disease goes undetected until it’s too late. Programs that increase earlier screening and treatment, when progression can still be slowed or stopped, will go a long way in supporting patients’ quality of life, helping employers retain experienced workers longer, and lowering health system costs. Keeping more people out of dialysis means more people reaching their later years with their health and independence intact,” said Melissa Gong Mitchell, Executive Director, Global Coalition on Aging. 

      “For people living with Spina Bifida, protecting kidney health is essential to preserving independence, preventing life-threatening complications, and improving quality of life across the lifespan. Kidney disease often develops silently in our community due to neurogenic bladder, making early screening, coordinated care, and timely intervention critical. The Spina Bifida Association strongly supports innovative approaches that encourage prevention, reward high-quality care, and expand access to evidence-based treatments before kidney failure occurs. By investing in earlier detection and better care coordination, this demonstration has the potential to improve outcomes for millions of Americans while reducing the human and financial costs of kidney disease. We applaud this bipartisan effort to prioritize prevention and protect kidney health,” said Sara Struwe, President and Chief Executive Officer, Spina Bifida Association. 

      “The Academy strongly supports this innovative demonstration project to advance kidney care and prevent progression to end-stage renal disease. Chronic kidney disease remains a silent and costly crisis, often going undiagnosed until it is too late, despite clear evidence that early screening, nutrition intervention, and coordinated care can significantly improve outcomes. By aligning incentives to prioritize prevention and expanding access to comprehensive, patient-centered services, this model represents a critical step toward transforming kidney care, improving quality of life for millions, and reducing avoidable costs to employers and the Medicare program. We urge policymakers to move forward with this bipartisan opportunity to invest in prevention and deliver better, more equitable care,” said the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics 2025-2026 President Deanne Brandstetter, MBA, RDN CDN, FAND. 

     “NANASP commends Rep. Wilson on the introduction of his novel bill which has prevention as its main focus. The approach of creating a kidney care shared savings demonstration is a win-win for health care plans who succeed in delaying and preventing ESRD and the other winner of course is the patient. Early diagnosis of kidney disease is vital to avoiding later more costly treatments. We urge passage of this bill,” said Bob Blancato, Executive Director, National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services (NANASP).

     “IgA nephropathy is a progressive kidney disease that often affects people in the prime of their lives, yet many patients are not diagnosed until significant kidney damage has already occurred. Earlier identification, better care coordination, and access to effective treatments are essential to slowing disease progression and helping patients avoid kidney failure. The Prevent ESRD Act recognizes the importance of prevention by creating incentives to intervene earlier in the disease continuum. The IgA Nephropathy Foundation is proud to support this effort and thanks Rep. Joe Wilson for his leadership on behalf of patients with kidney disease,” – Bonnie Schneider, Executive Director, IgA Nephropathy Foundation.

     A full copy of H.R. 9891 is available here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the most significant bipartisan federal housing legislation enacted in decades, giving communities news tools to preserve affordable housing, rehabilitate aging homes, and build more housing faster.

“Too many Sacramento families are spending more of every paycheck on rent, and too many young people are wondering whether they can afford to build a future here,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “This law gives SHRA and our local partners better tools to renovate public housing, prepare sites for construction, and reduce federal delays that drive up costs. Mirasol Village shows what Sacramento can accomplish when strong local leadership has the right federal support, and I will work to make sure these programs are fully funded and put to work for our community.”

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is a huge first step in tackling our housing crisis in California,” said Congressman Thompson. “This bill will help us build more housing, lower mortgage and rental costs, and expand home ownership opportunities. I was proud to support this historic, bipartisan legislation and I will continue to work to ensure this is rolled out quickly so our communities can get the support they need.”

“Too many hardworking families in the Sacramento region are doing everything right but still cannot afford a place to live,” said Congressman Bera. “The ROAD to Housing Act will help cut red tape, unlock publicly owned land, and accelerate the construction of affordable housing. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Matsui and Congressman Thompson for their leadership on this issue and look forward to working with them to ensure this new law helps families across our region have a fair shot at homeownership, economic security, and the American Dream.”

“We’re standing in a park, in the middle of a neighborhood with families living all around us,” said Councilmember Pluckebaum. “The City put $20 million into Marisol Village and that was not a small decision, but we would do it again in a heartbeat. But we didn’t do it alone. It took the Federal Government, the State, the County, private investment, SHRA, all moving in the same direction at the same time.”

“The 21st Century Road to Housing Act is set to strengthen the tools that SHRA uses to preserve and modernize our public housing portfolio as well as to assist developers more quickly and efficiently with gap financing to further fuel the pipeline that builds affordable housing.” said Kecia Boulware, SHRA deputy executive director of development. “This is a positive outcome for the families who so desperately need affordable housing in the City and County.  We are thankful to our Congressional delegation for all their support in making this legislation a reality.”

By expanding the Rental Assistance Demonstration program, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will give SHRA more room to finance major renovations across Sacramento’s public housing communities. It also opens HUD’s Community Development Block Grant funding to new affordable housing construction and allows HOME funding to cover site preparation, utilities, and other infrastructure needed before crews can break ground. Reducing duplicative federal reviews will also shorten project timelines, while lowering costs for local developers and builders.