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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on President Trump’s first 100 days in office:

“The first 100 days of the Trump Administration have been a train wreck of fear, incompetence and broken promises. While failing to lift a finger to bring down costs for hardworking Americans, President Trump is instead recklessly driving us toward recession, attacking earned Social Security benefits, firing patriotic American Veterans, cutting off vital medical research, and making families pay more for less health care. The disastrous record of this Administration has left the American people feeling the pain of failed policies – but as President Trump has said, he ‘couldn’t care less.’

“100 days of President Trump’s agenda have made American families more vulnerable and our nation less safe, even before Republicans try to push millions out of Medicaid health coverage to give tax breaks to their billionaire donors. Today, Leader Hakeem Jeffries outlined our plan to continue fighting back against the Trump Administration’s chaos, cruelty and corruption. While Republicans choose to protect the wealthy and well-connected, House Democrats are united behind Leader Jeffries in our commitment to fight for working families with our blueprint for a better America.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

Washington, DC – Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced a House resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of April 13, 2025, through April 26, 2025, as National Young Audiences Arts for Learning Week. The resolution highlights the contributions of Young Audiences Arts for Learning in promoting arts education and recognizes the impact of the arts on youth development.
 
“During National Young Audiences Arts of Learning Week, we recognize the incredible power and inspirations that the arts’ has on our young people across the country,” said Congresswoman Velazquez. “Supporting the arts in student learning is crucial to the development of our youth and this week serves as a reminder that we must continue to advocate for more arts education in schools nationwide.”
 
“On behalf of the Young Audiences Arts for Learning network, I would like to thank Congresswoman Velázquez for her continued support of Young Audiences Arts for Learning and the arts-in-education field,” said David Dik, National Executive Director of Young Audiences Arts for Learning. “First championed by conductor Leonard Bernstein in 1971, YA Week has grown into a two-week celebration of arts in education observed each spring by the national YA network, leaders in the field, and individual supporters. This is an important moment in Young Audiences’ history because not only are we celebrating our 73rd anniversary, but we continue to promote the role that creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurism plays through initiatives such as the National YA Week.”
 
The resolution can be found here.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

Washington D.C. – Today, Representatives Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) sent a letter to the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to stop the reduction in force (RIF) and reorganization plans at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) impacting FDA’s San Juan Medical Products Laboratory (SJNLMP).
 
The SJNLMP is one of the few FDA-owned and operated facilities specializing in pharmaceutical drug analysis. It has evaluated and led to removal of thousands of adulterated products from the market that otherwise would have exposed American consumers to unsafe products. The laboratory also plays a critical role in ensuring that the drugs and medical products that are part of HHS’s Strategic National Stockpile remain safe and available for the nation’s armed forces and civilian populations during emergencies and conflicts.  
 
According to constituents, on April 1, 2025, a RIF notice was distributed to the 20 laboratory employees and since then the laboratory has ceased operations.
 
“Shutting down this laboratory is against your commitment to protect ‘essential services’ and ‘frontline jobs’ as doing so jeopardizes the safety of millions of Americans by weakening FDA’s ability to detect contaminated pharmaceuticals, respond to health emergencies, and safeguard national security,” wrote the lawmakers. “Additionally, this decision would eliminate over 20 highly skilled jobs in Puerto Rico.”
 
Below is a selection of quotes from SJNLMP employees who received RIF notices. They have asked to remain anonymous out of fear of retaliation.

“April 1 was the worst day of my life — receiving the RIF notice shattered me,” SJNLMP employee said. “After years of dedication to public health, I felt abandoned, invisible, and heartbroken.”
 
“Receiving the RIF notice felt like having the ground pulled from under us,” SJNLMP employee said. “After years of sacrifice and commitment to public health, it was devastating to be dismissed so suddenly, without acknowledgment of our work or our worth.”
 
“Receiving the RIF notice was devastating and left me feeling discarded after years of dedicated public service,” SJNLMP employee said. “It created uncertainty, fear, and a deep sense of injustice. We were blindsided despite the critical role we played in protecting public health.”
 
“When I received the RIF notice, I felt an overwhelming sense of shock and betrayal,” SJNLMP employee said. “It was heartbreaking to see our vital work disregarded so abruptly. The uncertainty about our future was deeply unsettling.”
 
HHS’s RIF plans at SJNLMP will impact various FDA initiatives. Some are the  Health Fraud Program, which focuses on identifying and removing dietary supplements that are unsafe or advertised with misleading claims  from the market, the Shelf-Life Extension Program, which verifies the stability of SNS drugs and medical products, an existent Cooperative Research and Development Agreement to advance analytical methods for drug safety, and various Import and Surveillance Programs designed to monitor the safety of pharmaceutical imports.
 
“We urge you to prioritize the health of the American people and the integrity of our pharmaceutical supply chain by ensuring that the San Juan Medical Products Laboratory remains fully staffed and operational,” wrote the lawmakers.

“NTEU applauds Congresswoman Velázquez and other signatories for their leadership in urging the current administration to save the critically important FDA laboratory in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Keeping the essential work of this lab going forward is a matter of public health,  pharmaceutical safety, and American jobs.”—Doreen Greenwald, NTEU President

“We support this Congressional letter, as the San Juan Medical Products Laboratory (SJNLMP) is essential for manufacturing in Puerto Rico and for quality processes. Losing a laboratory of this level represents a setback, given the equipment and the personnel with the required level of expertise.”—Dr. Jose A. Pérez Meléndez, President of Colegio de Químicos de Puerto Rico 2024–2025
 
In addition to Velázquez and Ocasio-Cortez, the letter was signed by Reps. Darren Soto (D-FL), Ritchie Torres (D-NY), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).
 
For a full copy of the letter, click here.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY) introduced the Fair Taxation of Digital Assets in Puerto Rico Act, a bill that would close a loophole in the federal tax code that is exploited by cryptocurrency investors claiming Puerto Rican residency to avoid paying taxes on income derived from investments in digital assets.    

“For years, some of the wealthiest U.S. investors in digital assets have used Puerto Rico to avoid paying federal taxes,” said Velázquez. “This influx has not brought promised economic growth, instead it has raised costs and driven displacement on an island where the poverty rate is already 40 percent.  It’s about fairness. If you’re making money from digital assets, you should be paying your share—no matter your zip code.”

Under current law, U.S. citizens who spend at least half the year in Puerto Rico can classify income from digital asset activities like mining, staking, or trading, as Puerto Rico-sourced and thus become exempt from federal taxes. Velázquez’s bill would change that, making clear that digital asset income is still subject to federal taxation.

The bill comes amid ongoing concerns about the impact of the wave of crypto investors in Puerto Rico, many of whom are able to legally avoid paying any capital gains taxes by securing additional exemptions through local Act 22. Between 2020 and 2026, Puerto Rico is expected to lose $4.5 billion in revenue due to tax breaks for wealthy investors. An IRS whistleblower has also estimated that more than $10 billion in income is being shielded from federal taxes each year under current rules.

“Puerto Rico deserves better than being turned into a tax haven for the wealthy,” said Velázquez. “This is about making sure the rules aren’t written to benefit a select few, while working people on the island and the mainland pay the price. This bill will help ensure Puerto Ricans can shape their own economic future and build their lives on the island.”

“For too long, federal loopholes have allowed predatory cryptocurrency investors to exploit Puerto Rico, displacing communities and exacerbating inequality. Together with various other forms of preferential tax treatment, they have served to further rig the economy in favor of the wealthy and well connected. Many Puerto Rican communities are struggling with basic necessities – they cannot afford to continue subsidizing their gentrifiers’ digital assets as well. Additionally, based on past and ongoing audits of Puerto Rican tax incentives, there is a clear linkage between cryptocurrency activity and potential tax fraud.” -Iris Figueroa, Senior Policy Strategist at Popular Democracy

The bill is cosponsored by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Delia Ramírez (D-IL).

For a copy of the bill, click here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Pete Stauber (MN-08) applauds the Trump Administration’s announcement that the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council is prioritizing and designating NewRange Copper Nickel’s NorthMet Project as a FAST-41 transparency project due to its importance to domestic mineral production.

Of this announcement, Congressman Stauber stated, “NewRange’s NorthMet deposit represents a significant opportunity to produce the critical minerals necessary to secure our nation’s economic and security needs. Fortunately, President Trump and his Administration understands the vital importance of this project, as evidenced by this designation. I look forward to seeing NewRange meet and exceed every permitting standard in a timely manner so that they can help make America not just critical mineral independent, but critical mineral dominant.”

Stauber continued, stating,“I call on the Walz Administration to follow the science and the law, while recognizing the need for good paying jobs and the demand for these incredible resources we have right here at home. This project is a win-win for Minnesota.” 

The transparency project designation, established by President Trump’s recent executive order on critical minerals, demonstrates that the NorthMet project is a top priority for this Administration.

The transparency designation does not automatically grant permits for mining projects. Inclusion as a transparency project makes the environmental review and authorizations schedule publicly available and this transparency leads to greater accountability, ensuring a more efficient process. 

Under this designation, no corners will be cut, and the proposed project will still have to meet the federal government’s strict environmental and safety requirements, which are some of the most robust and stringent in the entire world.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, the House of Representatives passed Congressman Pete Stauber’s (MN-08) Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act, which will award three Congressional Gold Medals to the members of the 1980 United States Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team for their historic victory over the Soviet Union in the Winter Olympics. 

“Coach Herb Brooks and his team of young hockey players defied all odds, proving that miracles are possible when we need them most,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “At a time when our nation was in desperate need of hope, they united us in belief and patriotism. Minnesotans played a vital role in this unforgettable victory, so it fills me with immense pride to have helped pushed this legislation through the House. Today, we are one step closer to honoring these American hockey heroes, and I am truly grateful to my colleagues who joined me in supporting this bill. 

“On behalf of the National Hockey League and as a member of the Board of Directors for USA Hockey, I want to thank the members of the House of Representatives for passing the Miracle on Ice Congressional Gold Medal Act,” said Bill Daly, NHL Deputy Commissioner and USA Hockey Board Member. “The 1980 U.S. Olympic Men’s Hockey Team’s victory over the Soviet Union remains one of the most extraordinary and inspiring moments in the history of sports. The ‘Miracle on Ice’ was not only a triumph of athletic excellence, but also a defining moment that lifted the spirits of an entire nation and inspired generations of hockey players and fans.”

Daly continued, stating, “This honor is particularly meaningful for both the NHL and USA Hockey, as the 1980 team’s legacy has been instrumental in growing the game in the United States. We are proud to see their historic achievement recognized with the Congressional Gold Medal—one of our country’s highest honors. The legacy of that team lives on in the hearts of hockey fans across the world, and we look forward to seeing the bill passed by the Senate and signed into law by the President.”

“It’s an exciting day,” said Pat Kelleher, Executive Director of USA Hockey. “We’re thankful to the members of the House, particularly Representatives Stauber and Quigley, who championed the legislation. The Congressional Gold Medal is a very fitting and well-deserved honor for our 1980 Olympic Team, and we look forward to the Senate passing its version of the bill in the very near future.”

Once signed into law, the three Congressional Gold Medals will be given to three different locations: the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in Eveleth, MN; the Lake Placid Olympic Center in Lake Placid, NY; and the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum in Colorado Springs, CO.

BACKGROUND: 

On February 22, 1980, the U.S. Olympic Men’s Ice Hockey Team defeated the Soviet Union in Lake Placid, New York. This game is now known as the “Miracle on Ice.” The United States team was comprised of amateur college athletes while the Soviet’s team was comprised of some of the best players to ever play the game. Prior to this game, the Soviet Union had not lost an Olympic game since 1968. 

Eight years after this game, Congressman Stauber and the Lake Superior State University Division 1 hockey team won the National Championship at the same rink in Lake Placid, New York. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement on the Trump administration’s decision to revoke AmeriCorps grant funding to Teach For America Greater Philadelphia:

“There’s no better investment than educating and supporting our kids. President Trump’s decision to cut funding for Teach For America in Philadelphia is a disgrace. This program helps hardworking Americans become teachers and has made a real difference for tens of thousands of students in our city. At a time when we need more teachers, not fewer, the last thing we should be doing is pulling support. I’m calling on President Trump to reverse these reckless cuts immediately.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

ICYMI: Stefanik Joined Morning Futures With Maria Bartiromo on Fox News About Reconciliation and President Trump’s Removal of Harvard’s Tax-Exempt Status | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement that Secretary of State Marco Rubio will serve as interim National Security Advisor, in addition to his existing duties:

“Americans depend on our Commander in Chief to ensure that our national security – and the safety of our troops and citizens around the world – is a top priority. It is astounding that the President appears to not take our national security seriously by diminishing the roles of the National Security Advisor and the Secretary of State into part-time positions. 

“The President was right to fire Mike Waltz as National Security Advisor, but adding his responsibilities to Marco Rubio’s already heavy load as Secretary of State demonstrates a blatant disregard for the scale and seriousness of the global crises we face. There is a war in Ukraine, a genocide in Darfur, and a brewing conflict in Kashmir. American Edan Alexander is one of 59 hostages still held by Hamas, a year and a half after Hamas terrorists brutally attacked Israel on October 7, 2023. 

“The job of the National Security Advisor is more than a full-time job. The same is true for the Secretary of State. No serious leader would believe one person can manage both – let alone amid multiple international emergencies. 

“I wish we had a President that took his role as Commander in Chief seriously and chose people for their expertise rather than blind loyalty.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Rancho Mirage, CA – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz hosted a community town hall in partnership with the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, bringing together local leaders, constituents, story tellers and committee members for a robust discussion on the most pressing issues facing California’s 25^th District. 

Congressman Ruiz was joined by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic Steering & Policy Co-Chair Nanette Barragán, and Chairwoman of the Democratic Women’s Caucus Representative Teresa Leger Fernandez.

The event, held at Rancho Mirage on Saturday May 3, 2025, served as an opportunity for residents to share their stories and priorities directly with Democratic leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives. Topics ranged from affordable housing and veterans’ services to Medicaid and Social Security cuts.

“This town hall gave our communities a powerful seat at the table in Washington,” said Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25). “By connecting constituents with House leadership, we’re ensuring the voices of our region are heard and reflected in national policy. I’m proud to bring the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee to our district to listen, learn, and take action.”

“The House Republican budget is an attack on every single American, particularly children, families, seniors and those with disabilities. It is unacceptable, unconscionable and un-American,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “House Democrats will continue to lift up the stories of everyday people in every corner of the country and do everything that we can to stop this budget in its tracks, bury it in the ground and make sure it never rises again.”

“Today’s Town Hall was just the beginning of a nationwide effort by the Steering and Policy Committee to meet people where they are and hear firsthand how Donald Trump and House Republicans’ reckless policies are hurting working- and middle-class families,” said Steering and Policy Committee Co-Chair Congresswoman Nanette Barragán. “From threats to affordable health care to cuts targeting veterans and basic rights, the stories we heard today in Rancho Mirage reflect the stakes across the country. I’m deeply grateful to the residents who shared their experiences and trusted us with their voices. We’ll carry their stories to Washington as we continue to fight back against these dangerous, out-of-touch policies.”

“There are 96 Democratic women in the House of Representatives and it’s our job to stand up for the issues women face. We listen to and speak for women in our own districts, and for women everywhere, including the Coachella Valley, whether you’re represented by Raul Ruiz or Ken Calvert. It was moving to hear some of your stories today,” said Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03). “Women have lots of power, and when we raise our voices and our stories to protect our families and children, world, watch out. Because we will win those battles.”

For the live stream of the event, click here.