MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Greg Steube’s (R-FL) Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act (H.R. 5366) passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a voice vote. This bill extends Thompson and Steube’s landmark 2024 law providing tax relief for individuals impacted by federally declared disasters. The bill will permit victims to claim disaster-related personal casualty losses without having to itemize deductions through January 1, 2027.

“Californians are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. In the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods, it is wrong to tax survivors on settlement money that is meant to help them rebuild their lives. Survivors can’t afford to wait around for retroactive relief,” said Rep. Thompson. “Our late colleague Doug LaMalfa knew this well. I was proud to work with him to pass tax relief for fire victims in our communities in 2024, and I am proud we passed this bill now to honor his work and to extend our tax relief so more victims can be compensated.”

“Floridians are far too familiar with the devastation and costly aftermath that natural disasters bring to their homes and communities,” said Rep. Steube. “They should not be forced to face additional hardship and uncertainty by navigating a confusing and burdensome tax code after surviving such events. This bill ensures that disaster victims across the country can focus on rebuilding their lives while receiving the relief they deserve. Congressman LaMalfa spent years leading on this issue, and naming this legislation in his honor is a meaningful way to carry that important work forward.”

BACKGROUND

Rep. Thompson serves as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Tax for the Ways and Means Committee. He introduced the original legislation with Rep. Doug LaMalfa in the House of Representatives to provide tax relief to PG&E fire victims in the 117th Congress and worked with Senator Padilla and Rep. LaMalfa to advance the legislation.

In 2024, Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube led a bipartisan group of 218 Members of Congress to successfully advance a discharge petition which forced House Speaker Mike Johnson to bring the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 to the House floor for a vote. The historic advancement of Rep. Thompson and Rep. Steube’s petition marked only the third time a House discharge petition had succeeded in the 21st Century. The bill passed the Senate by unanimous consent and was signed into law by President Biden in December of 2024.

H.R. 5366, originally introduced as the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2025 and later renamed in honor of Congressman Doug LaMalfa, builds upon Rep. Thompson’s landmark law by codifying and extending disaster tax relief provisions through January 1, 2027. The bill allows individuals to deduct disaster-related losses more easily, including for those who do not itemize, and ensures wildfire relief payments are not treated as taxable income. Read the full bill text here.

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

Bacon, Nunn, Moore Introduce Bipartisan Package to Keep Foster Siblings Together

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Don Bacon (NE-02), Zach Nunn (IA-03), and Gwen Moore (WI-04), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth, today introduced the Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act and a resolution recognizing April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month, a bipartisan package to help keep foster siblings together.

The Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act would authorize $10 million in federal appropriations over a five-year period and direct the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a competitive pilot grant program supporting specialized foster care models designed for large sibling groups, siblings with wide age ranges, or those with complex needs. Eligible state, tribal, local, faith-based, and nonprofit entities could receive one of up to five grants to develop or expand models that increase the likelihood that siblings are placed together and remain together while in care. Grantees would collect and report placement data and outcomes to inform federal and state child welfare practice.

The bipartisan resolution recognizes April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month and highlights the importance of sibling bonds for youth in foster care. By calling on federal, state, tribal, and local agencies to prioritize joint placements and improve data collection, the resolution seeks to reduce trauma and ensure emotional stability for youth both during and after their time in care.

“Keeping siblings together in the foster care system significantly increases their chance of having positive life outcomes,” said Rep. Bacon, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chair. “As a foster-to-adoptive parent of a sibling group, this bipartisan foster care package helps address the unique challenges faced by families caring for sibling groups with large numbers, wide age ranges, and complex needs. We have a responsibility to support children in foster care with stable, loving homes that keep families connected.”

“When brothers and sisters enter foster care, staying together can be the difference between stability and a traumatic disruption in a young life. Kelly and I experienced this personally, adopting two daughters, two siblings, who had each other as they made a very difficult transition,” said Rep. Nunn, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chair. “I’ve worked with families navigating this system — and the biggest barrier to keeping siblings together isn’t willingness, it’s capacity. This bill funds the foster care models that can actually keep siblings together, and our resolution makes clear that Congress sees this as a priority.”

“The sibling bond is so important, and the foster care system must work to maintain it. But when siblings become separated in the foster care system, it can create more distress and pain for children and families,” said Rep. Moore, Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth Co-Chair. “Our bipartisan legislation would help develop better tools to successfully keep siblings together, especially in complex situations. I am proud to join my fellow Congressional Caucus on Foster Youth (CCFY) co-chairs in introducing this bipartisan legislation.”

Background

The federal foster care system strives to place siblings together whenever possible, yet many children in care are separated from one or more of their brothers or sisters due to logistical challenges, varying ages, behavioral health needs, or limited placement capacity. Strong sibling relationships are widely recognized as a critical source of emotional support and stability for children navigating the trauma of family separation, but current federal law’s “reasonable efforts” requirement does not ensure specialized infrastructure or funding to support placement of large sibling groups, siblings with wide age ranges, or those with complex needs.

According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), states face significant barriers to placing siblings together, particularly when sibling groups are large, span wide age ranges, or require specialized care. Some reports estimate that as many as 75% of foster children are placed apart from one or more of their siblings.

This foster care package aims to help address those gaps by supporting foster care models better equipped to serve sibling groups.

The full text of the Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act is available here, and the resolution recognizing April as National Foster Sibling Connections Month is available here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet introduced legislation that would allow Congress to override a Presidential denial of federal disaster relief funding and create a new fast-track process to ensure states like Colorado are not left without support.  

Earlier this year, President Trump denied Colorado’s request for disaster assistance for the Lee and Elk Fires in August 2025 and the Southwest Colorado flooding in October 2025. This despite both events meeting the statutory andpractical criteria for a Major Disaster Declaration as well as FEMA’s fiscal threshold to warrant federal aid.

“When natural disasters strike—from wildfires to flash floods—the Federal government must rise to the occasion and assist our communities,” said Congressman Neguse. “Natural disasters don’t discriminate based on state or political affiliation—and neither should the Federal government. That’s why I’m proud to join Senator Bennet in introducing legislation that continues the fight to ensure all Americans are provided with the critical resources necessary to recover after tragedy strikes.”

“Disasters don’t care about state lines or politics, and neither should our President’s response,” said Senator Bennet. “Following the Lee and Elk Fires andthe flooding in Southwest Colorado last year, every single member of the Colorado delegation was united: our communities needed federal assistance. The President outright rejected our calls for federal support. As natural disasters increase, Congress must be able to push past political retribution and help our cities and counties meet the challenge posed by these events.”

The bill is also championed by Colorado Senator John Hickenlooper andRepresentatives Raja Krishnamoorthi and Brittney Pettersen. 

“The president is putting politics over Americans in crisis. We have to fight for a way forward,” said Senator Hickenlooper. “Disaster relief should never be tied to politics. Your zip code and your vote should not decide whether you can rebuild.”

“President Trump has repeatedly denied disaster aid requests, including ones affecting families in Illinois, leaving communities struggling to rebuild after severe storms and flooding,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “Disaster relief should never depend on politics or arbitrary decisions. Our legislation empowers Congress to step in and help deliver the support states need when federal assistance is blocked. Families rebuilding after disasters deserve certainty that their government will stand with them when it matters most.”

“As wildfires become a year-round threat, Colorado communities cannot afford a federal government that turns its back on them when disaster strikes,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “Trump denied disaster relief to Colorado multiple times all because we refused to bend the knee. The Disaster Declaration Transparency Act would change that because every community—red or blue—should have the tools needed to recover and rebuild more resilient to future threats. I’m proud to help lead this legislation and will keep fighting to make sure Colorado is never left behind again when disaster strikes.”

Specifically, this bill amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief andEmergency Assistance Act to give Congress a fast and clear way to respond when a president denies a governor’s request for a major disaster declaration. If a president rejects a request in certain cases, such as when FEMA recommends approval or when past decisions support approval, the president must notify Congress within 24 hours and provide a written explanation. After that, members of Congress can introduce a simple joint resolution within a set number of days that directs the president to approve the disaster declaration. The bill also sets up fast-track procedures in both the House and Senate to ensure a timely vote.   

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) released the following statement on the Supreme Court’s ruling on Louisiana v. Callais:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision in Louisiana v. Callais is a giant step backward in our “pursuit of a more perfect Union,” as this activist court continues to dismantle the 1965 Voting Rights Act, one decision at a time.

“This decision threatens to send our country deeper into the thicket of never-ending redistricting fights, with repeated aggressive map redraws, protracted legal battles, and relentless partisan tugs-of-war, all of which are destined to result in more regressive Court decisions.

“This Court seems hellbent on redeeming the post-Reconstruction America that neutered the 1875 Civil Rights Act and other legislative and judicial actions that drastically limited Black participation and achievement, and eliminated African American political representation in multiple Southern states.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

WASHINGTON — Today, House Appropriations Committee Republicans released their 2027 Legislative Branch funding bill, which weakens government oversight and aids and abets President Trump in continuing to steal money promised to the middle class, working class, and vulnerable Americans.  

For 2027, the bill includes a total of $5.4 billion, a decrease of $125 million or 2 percent, below 2026. This total excludes the Senate items. The legislation:

 

• Opens the door to more corruption within the Trump administration by weakening government oversight, slashing funding for the nonpartisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) and eliminating over 1,000 jobs critical to eliminating waste and abuse of taxpayer dollars.
• Allows President Trump to continue to steal money promised to the American taxpayer by weakening checks on the unlawful withholding of funds.
• Does nothing to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to work in the Legislative Branch.

 

“Investing in our legislative branch is investing in the foundation of our democracy. Unfortunately, this funding bill makes a devastating cut to the Government Accountability Office, a vital information-gathering agency that Members rely on and guardian of taxpayer dollars,” Legislative Branch Appropriations Subcommittee Ranking Member Adriano Espaillat (D-NY-13) said. “This bill also does nothing to reaffirm Congress’ power of the purse in the wake of continued executive overreach. I hope that through the markup process, we can put together a bill that adequately responds to the needs of the legislative branch agencies that keep Congress, and democracy, afloat.”

 

“With their bill to fund the Legislative Branch, House Republicans have once again chosen to allow President Trump to steal money promised to communities across the country,” Appropriations Committee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) said. “The Government Accountability Office (GAO) is one of our most valuable tools to improve efficiency and effectiveness across the government. It is astonishing that, for all the talk about finding and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, that House Republicans would cut resources for the watchdog that is tasked with precisely that role. Their bill would eliminate over 1,000 GAO jobs and prevent it from fully protecting Congress’s power of the purse. Their bill also does nothing to allow Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to work in the Legislative Branch despite bipartisan efforts to change this restrictive policy. Republicans need to reconsider their strategy and join Democrats to support the work the American people elected us to do.”

 

A summary of House Republicans’ 2027 Legislative Branch funding bill is here. The full text of the bill is here.

 

In keeping with longstanding practice whereby each chamber of Congress determines its own housekeeping requirements and the other concurs without intervention, the bill does not include funds for the Senate or Senate office buildings.

 

The subcommittee markup will be webcast live and linked from the House Committee on Appropriations website.

 ###

Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, April 2, Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) will visit the Delaney Hall Detention Facility in Newark, New Jersey, to conduct congressional oversight and assess the welfare and due process of Pastor Yeison Cortes Vazquez.

The visit comes as Pastor Cortes Vazquez remains in ICE custody despite having no criminal record and deep ties to his faith community. His bond hearing is scheduled for later in the day.

The Members will be joined by faith leaders, underscoring the moral urgency of the situation and concerns from national advocates regarding the detention of a minister during a sacred period. 

WHO: Representative Adriano Espaillat, Chair of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC) 
Representative Rob Menendez (NJ-08) 
Rev. Dr. Gabriel Salguero
Rev. Dan Mendez
Rev. Enid Almanza
Local & National Advocates

WHAT: Oversight & Wellness Visit/ Press Conference at Delaney Hall Detention

WHEN: Thursday, April 2nd at 10:00 a.m. EDT 

WHERE: Delaney Hall Detention Facility
451 Doremus Avenue
Newark, NJ 07105

# # #

Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today in recognition of Women’s History Month, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) introduced a congressional resolution to honor the lasting impact of the Grandassa Models, trailblazing runway pioneers who amplified the message “Black is Beautiful” throughout the fashion industry.

“This Women’s History Month, I am proud to introduce a resolution honoring and celebrating the groundbreaking cultural, historical, and social impact of the Grandassa Models, who redefined standards of beauty, confronted colorism within the fashion industry, and advanced Black cultural pride during the height of the civil rights era and beyond,” said Rep. Espaillat. “Grandassa Models were bold in their fearless promotion of African heritage, natural beauty, and cultural authenticity. Their lasting impact continues to inspire American culture, arts, and fashion still today.” 

Espaillat’s resolution honors the Grandassa Models for their historic role in the “Black is Beautiful” movement and their contributions to redefining beauty standards in the United States and around the world.

# # #

Representative Espaillat is the first Dominican American to serve in the U.S. House of Representatives and his congressional district includes Harlem, East Harlem, West Harlem, Hamilton Heights, Washington Heights, Inwood, Marble Hill and the north-west Bronx. First elected to Congress in 2016, Representative Espaillat is serving his fifth term in Congress. Representative Espaillat currently serves as a member of the influential U.S. House Committee on Appropriations responsible for funding the federal government’s vital activities and serves as Ranking Member of the Legislative Branch Subcommittee of the committee during the 119th Congress. He is Chairman of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus (CHC), a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC), and serves as a Senior Whip of the Democratic Caucus. To find out more about Rep. Espaillat, visit online at https://espaillat.house.gov/.

Media inquiries: Candace Person at Candace.Person@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

Check Presentation Today at 2:00 p.m. EDT at CCNY Shepard Hall located at 160 Convent Avenue, New York, NY 10031.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adriano Espaillat (NY-13)

Espaillat will present federal funding to CUNY Dominican Studies Institute and P.S. 171 next week in the district.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) today introduced the Undoing National Lead Exposure through Authorizing Directed Education from DOT (UNLEADED) Act, bipartisan legislation to support the transition from leaded to unleaded aviation gasoline (Avgas) in general aviation.

While leaded gasoline has been banned in motor vehicles for more than 25 years, the use of leaded Avgas remains widespread across the general aviation sector, which includes roughly 220,000 aircraft operating at more than 20,000 airports nationwide. As a result, general aviation aircraft are now the largest source of lead emissions in the United States. The UNLEADED Act would direct the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to establish a comprehensive education program to support the safe and effective adoption of unleaded Avgas.

“General aviation is critically important to our national economy and to emergency services like medical transport and disaster response, but it remains the largest source of lead emissions in the United States,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Although new unleaded aviation fuel alternatives are being developed and certified, many pilots and operators lack clear information about their availability, safety, and compatibility. Our bipartisan UNLEADED Act will help bridge the information gap by ensuring pilots, instructors, and aviation professionals have the tools they need to safely transition to unleaded fuels as they become available, which will protect public health while supporting a strong general aviation sector.”

“As the general aviation community continues to grow, we must ensure that our pilots and others in the industry are informed about the latest developments in aviation technology, particularly the future of unleaded gasoline for general aviation aircraft,” said Rep. Jay Obernolte. “The UNLEADED Act will ensure that the general aviation community is familiar with the current state of certified unleaded fuel alternatives by directing the FAA to establish an educational program on unleaded aviation gasoline. Initiatives such as this one are critical as we move towards the goal of a lead-free general aviation fleet.”

Representatives Robert Garcia (D-CA) and Brittany Pettersen (D-CO) are original co-sponsors of the UNLEADED Act.  

This legislation is also supported by organizations including the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA), the National Air Transportation Association (NATA), the National Business Aviation Association (NBAA), the Experimental Aircraft Association (EAA), and Vertical Aviation International (VAI).

“Business aviation is committed to achieving a safe and sustainable transition to a lead-free future, and meaningful progress is already well underway,” said National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) President and CEO Ed Bolen. “But reaching this goal safely and at scale requires clear, consistent education for pilots, aircraft owners and fuel providers. The bipartisan UNLEADED Act will help accelerate the adoption of safe, approved unleaded fuels by ensuring the entire aviation community has the information needed to move forward with confidence. We thank Reps. Beyer and Obernolte for their leadership in advancing a practical solution that protects public health while preserving the safety and reliability of our National Airspace System.”

Specifically, the Undoing National Lead Exposure through Authorizing Directed Education from DOT (UNLEADED) Act, would:

• Direct the FAA to establish an education program about new unleaded aviation gasoline authorized for use by the Administrator,
• Require the education program to include information related to the compatibility of certified unleaded Avgas fuels with GA aircraft engines, in addition to the availability of certified unleaded Avgas fuels for purchase, and relevant certifications needed to utilize the fuels,
• Publicize the status of all variations of unleaded aviation gasoline undergoing authorization by the FAA,
• Ensure the newly established education program is made available to flight instructors and pilot schools, and
• Facilitate annual education and training for Fixed-Base Operators leadership and staff that transport and handle unleaded aviation gasoline.

Text of the UNLEADED Act is available here.