MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Today Representative Adrian Smith (R-NE), Chairman of the Ways and Means Committee’s Trade Subcommittee, released the following statement after the Office of the United States Trade Representative announced it had reached a deal with Indonesia to lower tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. 

“This deal is a substantial step toward a level playing field for American industries. Ambassador Greer continues to work diligently to strike meaningful deals, and I look forward to further collaboration with the administration as negotiations progress. Strengthening ties with Indonesia will support economic and regional security in the Indo-Pacific while promoting cooperation in key sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing, and digital services.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

July 18, 2025 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) released the following statement on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding bill for the Department of Defense that was passed today in the U.S. House of Representatives with bipartisan support.

“As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, I represent the best our nation has to offer. Supporting our troops, their families, and our veterans is my top priority” said Rep. Hudson. “This bill is a major step toward restoring President Trump’s Peace through Strength agenda and puts America’s safety and security first. It delivers a hard-earned pay raise for our troops, strengthens our border, and provides cutting-edge technology to ensure our military remains the most lethal and capable force in the world. It also invests in health care, training, and the well-being of military families.”

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Tech, Tools, and a Tactical Edge for Today’s Warfighters

The House passed the FY26 Department of Defense Budget with every single one of Rep. Hudson’s amendments included, detailed below. These provisions ensure our warfighters at Fort Bragg and all U.S. troops stay equipped, connected, and mission ready.

Rep Hudson wins for Fort Bragg: 

• $8M for a Radios-as-a-Service initiative providing modern and flexible communications solutions.
• More than $10M for enhancing SOCOM, border security, and allied interoperability. 
• $11.9M for advancing drone technology for special operations.  
• $8M for Pathfinder Airborne Program partnership with UNC at Fort Bragg focused on rapid innovation driven by soldier feedback.  
• $5M for tactical throwable camera systems for SOCOM to enhance situational awareness and safety for our soldiers.
• $4.8M for large-scale 3D printing of military infrastructure, including at Fort Bragg.
• $7M for cybersecurity software to enable real-time communications for next generation use including for USSOCOM. 
• $5M for wearable ballistic batteries for soldiers in the field.
• $5M for modular, networked command post kits for on-the-move leadership in disconnected environments integrated and fielded at Fort Bragg.

FY26 DoD Topline Wins:

• 3.8% pay raise for all troops, building on last year’s historic raise for the junior enlisted.
• $40.9 billion for DOD medical care.
• $9.6 billion for SOCOM operations.
• $1.15 to counter cartel drug operations, plus increased National Guard counterdrug funding.
• Prohibitions on DEI, abortion travel, drag shows, COVID mandates, and foreign censorship programs in the military.

MILCON-VA: Construction, Housing, and Veterans Care at Fort Bragg

The FY26 MILCON-VA bill, which passed in June, provides critical infrastructure investments and full funding for veteran programs across the country. For Fort Bragg, Rep. Hudson secured:

Fort Bragg and our military community includes: 

• $44.7 million to construct training facilities at Forward Operating Base Freedom (Freedom Village) at Fort Bragg. 
• $5.3 million for SOF Joint Intelligence Center (JIC) at Fort Bragg. 
• Language supporting per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) research and testing to ensure the health and well-being of veterans. 
• Language to prohibit the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from submitting a veteran or beneficiary’s name to the FBI’s National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) without an order from a court of law.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026 

Champions our veterans by:

• Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
• Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
• Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
• Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.

Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by:  

• Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans, preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent.
• Syncing up with President Trump’s Executive Orders on no funds for DEI, gender affirming care, and protecting Hyde-like language at the VA.
• Prohibiting the VA from processing medical care claims for illegal aliens.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:  

• Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and infrastructure necessary to support United States advanced weapons systems.
• Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil.
• Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from the People’s Republic of China.

 

Read a summary of the bill here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C – U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC), who serves as the Chairman of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, celebrated the passing of the bipartisan Open RAN Outreach Act in the House of Representatives. This bill will strengthen U.S. wireless networks and protect our small and rural communications network providers from being reliant on Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-backed technology companies, such as Huawei.

“By ensuring our small and rural telecom providers have the support needed to deploy technologies, like Open RAN, we can promote innovation and create jobs,” said Chairman Hudson. “My bill paves the way for greater U.S. competition with China and a more secure, resilient wireless network landscape.”

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic and recent natural disasters underscored the importance of securing domestic supply chains and telecommunications networks. Huawei and other untrusted companies with the support of government money from China have been able to offer lower costs to entice small and rural providers to use their technology. Promoting a more competitive market of trusted alternative vendors to provide 5G equipment remains an important strategic component to protect U.S. networks.

A closed or proprietary network has one vendor or manufacturer for end-to-end network equipment. Open RAN technology can help diversify communications technology by being an open network infrastructure that can have multiple components from multiple manufacturers. The Open RAN Outreach Act requires technical assistance and outreach to be made available on Open RAN technologies by the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). This will give small and rural providers information and support to deploy Open RAN technologies if providers would like to implement this technology.

Read the Open RAN Outreach Act here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, DC – Last week, Representative Richard Hudson introduced the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act, a bipartisan bill which makes technical changes to remove barriers in the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2022 to ensure veterans’ claims are given fair and reasonable judicial review. Hudson introduced this measure with Congressman Greg Murphy, Congresswoman Deborah Ross, and Congressman Don Davis, alongside nineteen other original cosponsors. 

“The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was created to address the wrongs endured by our veterans and to make it easier for them to access their rightful claims,” said Representative Hudson. “Unfortunately, veterans are getting a lot of runaround that prevents them from getting justice. This legislation will fix that.”

“The Camp Lejeune Justice Act was established to rectify the injustices our veterans faced and streamline their access to rightful claims,” said Representative Murphy, M.D.

“However, many still struggle to benefit due to unforeseen obstacles. I am committed to ensuring that the brave men and women who served our nation, along with their families and civilian workers, receive the justice they deserve after enduring exposure to contaminated water. These updates will help alleviate the backlog of cases, ensuring timely resolution and closure for all that have been affected.”

“I am honored to join Congressman Greg Murphy in introducing this urgently needed legislation to bring justice to Camp Lejeune veterans across the country,” said Representative Ross. “Our brave veterans put their lives on the line to defend our country and should never face barriers to accessing the justice they deserve after exposure to toxic water during their time stationed at Camp Lejeune.

Included in the historic PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act has enabled these veterans to finally seek damages in court. The legislation we are introducing today will make needed reforms to ensure that veterans nationwide do not face financial or logistical barriers to pursuing the long-overdue remedies they are owed.”

Background

Enacted in 2022 as part of the PACT Act, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act allows veterans and civilians to file tort claims against the U.S. government for damages related to harm caused by exposure to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

Currently, there are 408,000 pending claims with the Department of the Navy. Despite the overwhelming number of claims received, not a single case has gone to trial while the Department of Justice litigates against victims.

To correct the record and ensure victims have access to appropriate justice, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act would make technical corrections to the law and effectuate more swift relief for victims by:

• Clearly providing for jury trials, not just bench trials.
• Expressly stating that victims must show general causation.
• Permitting cases to be heard in any federal court in North and South Carolina.
• Capping attorney fees at 20% for settlements and 25% for trials.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) released the following statement after President Trump signed The One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law at the White House on Friday, July 4th, marking a sweeping legislative victory that delivers historic tax relief, restores fiscal sanity, secures the border, and puts working families first. 

“The One Big Beautiful Bill Act is the most pro-worker, pro-family, and pro-America legislation we’ve seen in decades. It means bigger paychecks for middle class families, stronger borders, a stronger military, and more freedom for every North Carolinian. I’m proud to help steer this fight, and under President Trump’s leadership, we’re just getting started.”

– Congressman Richard Hudson

Here’s what this means for North Carolina:

• Wages are up by $5,500-$10,500
• Take-Home Pay up by $7,200-$12,200
• NO TAXES on TIPS or OVERTIME
• Support for our farmers, veterans, and rural broadband
• Made-in-America manufacturing incentives for NC job creators

What’s Actually in the One Big Beautiful Bill?

DELIVERS HISTORIC ECONOMIC RELIEF:

• Prevents the largest tax increase in American history
• Secures bigger paychecks, boosting the take-home pay for hardworking typical families by OVER $10,000 a year.
• Historic tax relief for workers with a 15% average tax cut for Americans earning $15,000–$80,000.
• No Taxes on Tips and No Taxes on Overtime
• Made-in-America Auto Tax Breaks on new American-made vehicles.
• Increases the standard deduction, ensuring North Carolinians keep more of their hard-earned money.

PUTS MAIN STREET OVER WALL STREET:

• Doubles small business expensing, helping local businesses hire more workers and expand their operations.
• Permanently renews and strengthens Opportunity Zones, unlocking $100B+ of investment and 1+ million jobs for rural and distressed communities.
• Incentivizes Made-in-America manufacturing with full expensing for new factories and upgrades— unleashing investments in rapid factory building. 

DESIGNED WITH FAMILIES IN MIND:

• Increases and makes permanent the Child Tax Credit, supporting over 40 million families.
• Expands childcare access and makes the paid leave tax credit permanent.
• Creates Trump Savings Accounts for newborns.
• Delivers school choice, making education more affordable and allowing families to choose the education that best fits their child’s needs.

INVESTS IN RURAL AMERICA:

• Expands crop insurance and improves risk management tools.
• Boosts market access by reducing trade barriers to help North Carolina farmers compete globally.
• Supports family farms by raising the death tax exemption—protecting two million family farms from punitive double taxation.

RESTORES FISCAL SANITY:

• Slashes deficits by roughly $2 trillion — and secures historic levels of mandatory savings.
• Protects taxpayer dollars by removing waste, fraud, and abuse from federal programs, so they can better serve the great people of North Carolina

KEEPS AMERICA SAFE:

• Funds the Golden Dome missile defense system to protect our homeland from 21st-century threats.
• Ensures our military has the resources to remain ready, capable, and a lethal fighting force.
• Secures our coast with the biggest upgrade to the Coast Guard since World War II — delivering the tools needed to stop illegal activity by sea and fight fentanyl smuggling.

MODERNIZES AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL:

• $12.5 billion to overhaul air traffic control, replacing obsolete technology dating back to the 1960s with modern systems that improve safety, speed, and efficiency.
• Replaces FAA’s deteriorating towers and radar systems and upgrades telecommunications.
• Addresses the staffing shortage and funds FAA training and recruitment.

PERMANENTLY SECURES OUR BORDERS:

• Delivers President Trump’s law-and-order agenda: deporting criminal illegal aliens, securing our border, and supporting law enforcement.
• Supports our Border Patrol and ICE agents with a $10,000 bonus annually over the next four years. Also delivers needed reinforcements — hiring 10,000 new ICE personnel, 5,000 new Customs officers, and 3,000 new Border Patrol agents.
• Finishes the border wall.

UNLEASHES AMERICAN ENERGY DOMINANCE:

• Ends weaponization of permitting and unlocks domestic oil, gas, and nuclear power.
• Unleashes American energy, driving down the cost of living and restoring energy independence.
• Rescinds BILLIONS of taxpayer dollars poured into the ‘Green New SCAM,’ ending handouts to special interests and radical climate activists.
• Refills our Strategic Petroleum Reserve after the Biden Administration depleted our emergency supply. Energy security is national security.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) issues the following statement on the impacts of Tropical Depression Chantal after touring Moore and Alamance Counties on Monday and Tuesday with local leaders.

“I’m deeply grateful for local officials, the Sheriff’s department, first responders, and community volunteers who have been working around the clock. I’m impressed with how everyone worked together to get folks out of harm’s way. I’m proud of our community and the resiliency we’ve shown to take care of those impacted by the flooding. Our team remains in constant contact with state and local emergency managers ensuring access to every available federal, state, and local resource. My prayers will continue to be with every family impacted.”

Looking ahead, Congressman Hudson’s office will continue to push for any additional support needed as we move from response to recovery to rebuilding. The office stands ready to assist families and small businesses devastated by the storm.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – This evening, the House unanimously passed H.R. 1450, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) Licensure for Investigators Act, a bipartisan initiative led by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congressman Zach Nunn (IA-03). This legislation would strengthen our national security by improving OFAC’s investigative capabilities against sanctioned individuals.  

 

The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to launch a targeted pilot program within the Office of Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI), allowing select private sector firms to obtain temporary licenses for limited financial transactions with sanctioned entities. The goal is to enable data and intelligence gathering that supports law enforcement efforts, protects consumers, and strengthens the broader financial system.

 

“This commonsense legislation seeks to enhance the tools at our disposal to investigate sanctioned individuals and entities, and hold bad actors accountable,” said Beatty on the House floor in support of the bill. “That’s very important.”

 

H.R. 1450 now advances to the Senate for further consideration.

 

Watch Congresswoman Beatty’s full floor speech in support of the bill HERE. 

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) voted to pass the Recissions Act of 2025, legislation that will claw back $9 billion in wasteful federal spending. This first rescissions package includes necessary cuts to USAID, National Public Radio (NPR), and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).

Of his vote, Congressman Stauber stated, “Today, I was proud to take an essential step to rein in federal spending and save taxpayer dollars. The bulk of this $9 billion package targets wasteful foreign spending identified by the Department of Government Efficiency. The American people should not be paying $1 million for voter ID in Haiti, $6 million for Net Zero Cities in Mexico, $3 million for Iraqi Sesame Street, $4 million for sedentary migrants in Columbia, or $135 million to the World Health Organization- which lied about the origins of COVID. And there are so many other egregious examples.

“Regarding the public broadcasting cuts included in this package, I also do not believe Americans should be forced to fund opinion journalism masquerading as unbiased news coverage. A recent survey found that 100% of NPR’s 87-person editorial board in DC are registered Democrats with zero Republicans. This has led to many concerning headlines, including one claiming there is no evidence that biological men have an unfair advantage over biological women in sports. And even worse, PBS has pushed gender-affirming care for children on its airwaves. 

“While many on the left will falsely claim that these cuts will restrict access to information, remember that 96% of Americans report using the internet regularly, providing far more access to the news than ever before. 

“The passage of this package through Congress is a win for commonsense and it wouldn’t have been possible without the leadership of President Trump. Our nation is currently $36 trillion in debt, so I am excited to keep the momentum going by voting for more rescission packages down the road.”

BACKGROUND: 

Under the Impoundment Control Act (ICA), the Administration may transmit a request to Congress to rescind previously appropriated funds through a rescissions package. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08)

DULUTH, MN – Today, Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) announced that the Biden administration’s misguided decision to close the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth has been overturned by the Trump administration, ensuring the facility will remain open and operational for years to come. This decision follows a recent visit to the camp by William Marshall, the newly appointed Director of the Federal Bureau of Prisons under the Trump administration, a visit Stauber helped facilitate and personally attended. 

Of this news, Stauber said, “I am overjoyed by the news that the Federal Prison Camp in Duluth will remain open, and that the 90 federal employees who currently work there will remain employed. Since the Biden administration announced their disastrous decision to close FPC Duluth in December, I made it a top priority to work with the Trump administration to keep it open. During last week’s visit to FPC Duluth, Director Marshall was able to see firsthand the prison’s top-notch programming, dedicated employees, and the value it brings to our community. I join FPC Duluth’s employees and their families in thanking Director Marshall and the Trump administration for their attention to this issue and for making the right decision.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chair of the Promoting Peace & Security Taskforce of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), issued the following statement on H.R. 4016, the Department of Defense Appropriations Act of 2026, which passed on a party-line vote:

“Last night’s Republican spending bill further bloats an out-of-control Pentagon while doubling down on skewed priorities. This bill expands funding to a military deployed by Trump to launch unconstitutional wars while enriching well-connected private contractors with no safeguards. Meanwhile, this legislation attacks the right to access reproductive healthcare in the military and guts efforts to recruit diverse servicemembers who reflect the full range of America.

“The Pentagon has failed every audit since it became legally required to submit one in 2018. No other federal agency is thrown hundreds of billions of dollars with so little transparency. Meanwhile, Trump is illegally destroying agencies like the Department of Education and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, which provide urgent resources to our children’s classrooms and protect Americans from corporate fraud.

“The Progressive Caucus will continue to push for a budget that prioritizes human needs and lifts up our communities at home—not endless wars abroad. I am proud of my CPC colleagues for putting forward commonsense alternatives to this Pentagon budget that advance peace, restraint and social justice. I urge Senate Democrats to impose meaningful checks on Trump’s unconstrained military during the appropriations process as this bill now moves to that chamber.”

The following submitted amendments are a sampling of CPC Members’ efforts to improve the Defense Department Appropriations bill:

Amendment #123 by Rep. Omar transfers $5 million from defense-wide operation and maintenance to chemical agents and munitions destruction account.

Amendment #126 by Reps. Omar, Tlaib, Gosar, and Biggs prohibits funds to carry out section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978.

Amendment #337 by Rep. Chuy Garcia prohibits the use of funds for transferring data and other records to DHS for civil immigration enforcement.

Amendment #342 by Rep. Chuy Garcia and Amendment #455 from Rep. Salinas prohibit the use of funds for the National Guard to enforce immigration laws.

Amendment #471 by Rep. Chuy Garcia and Amendment #475 by Rep. Nadler prohibit the use of funds for transferring any individual to the Migrant Operations Center at United States Naval Station at Guantanamo Bay.

Amendment #509 by Rep. Kamlager-Dove prohibits the use of funds to implement the June 7 presidential memo activating the deployment of the National Guards to protect ICE personnel and federal property in Los Angeles.

Amendment #188 by Takano, Smith, Jacobs, Randall, Pappas, Torres, and Craig prohibits funds from being used to implement, administer, or enforce Executive Order No. 14183, which prohibits transgender people from serving in the military.

Amendment #397 by Rep. Friedman strikes section 8142 – prohibiting funding for execution of DOD memorandum on access to reproductive care.

Amendment #13 by Rep. Jacobs strikes Sections 8138, 8139, 8144, and 8145, which ban gender-affirming care, drag queen shows, and allows discrimination for people who do not support gay marriage.

Amendment #200 by Rep. Tlaib strikes sections prohibiting programs relating to advancing racial equity and support for under-served communities and diversity, equity, and inclusion programs.

Amendment 206 by Rep. Tlaib prohibits the use of funds for foreign security force training with respect to El Salvador.

Amendment #441 from Rep. Garamendi limits funding for the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program until Congress receives the Milestone B approval decision pursuant to section 4252(e) of title 10, United States Code.

Amendment #394 from Rep. Simon and Amendment #488 from Rep. Khanna and Rep. Massie prohibits fund from being used to introduce U.S. forces into hostilities in Iran in contravention of the War Powers Resolution.

Amendment #203 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits funds from being used in contravention of the War Powers Resolution with respect to Yemen.

Amendment #355 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits funds from being used to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF).

Amendment #301 from Reps. Chuy Garcia, Castro, Velázquez prohibits funds from being used for unauthorized military force against Mexico.

Amendment #216 by Rep. Velázquez prohibits military action and/or regime change in the Western Hemisphere without Congressional authorization.

Amendment #213 from Rep. Tlaib prohibits the use of funds to maintain a U.S. military presence inside Syria after one year, unless otherwise Congressionally authorized.

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