MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

February 6, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) invites residents of Mississippi’s Second Congressional District to join an important town hall discussion on the impact of President Trump’s executive orders. The discussion will address the direct threats the executive orders pose to Mississippi’s Second Congressional District and their potential impact on key areas such as education, healthcare, tariffs, and veterans’ services.  WHO: Congressman Bennie G. Thompson    WHAT: Virtual Town Hall Event on Trump’s Executive Orders WHERE: https://benniethompson.house.gov/live WHEN: Tuesday, February 11, 2025, 6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. (CT)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

February 7, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson announced that the application period for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Grants is now open. According to FEMA’s published Notices of Funding Opportunity for the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) and Flood Mitigation Assistance Hazard Mitigation grants, there is $750 million available for BRIC grants and $600 million available for Flood Mitigation Assistance grants for FY 2024. These funds can be used to combat the effects of climate change and build stronger communities. The deadline to apply is March 7, 2025 through the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency. “Climate change continues to worsen the frequency and severity of natural disasters,” said Congressman Thompson. “To safeguard our communities, it is imperative to prioritize and invest in hazard mitigation strategies. This funding will empower communities in Mississippi to strengthen their infrastructure—protecting lives and property from disasters such as flooding, hurricanes, and tornadoes. I strongly encourage every community in Mississippi to take advantage of this opportunity and apply for this critical funding.” To apply, email mitigationgrants@mema.ms.gov and for additional information on applying for funding, please visit: https://www.msema.org/available-grants/.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

March 4, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) released the following statement on the passing of former Mississippi State Representative Robert G. Clark, a trailblazer whose tireless work reshaped the political and educational landscape of our state: “I am deeply saddened by the passing of former Mississippi State Representative Robert G. Clark, a true pioneer and unwavering champion for justice, education, and equality. Robert Clark’s contributions to Mississippi are immeasurable, and his legacy will forever be felt in the halls of our state’s government and beyond.” “Mississippi has lost a giant. Robert Clark’s courage, resilience, and dedication to justice serve as an enduring example for all of us who continue the fight for progress. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and the countless people whose lives he touched. May we honor his legacy by continuing his work to build a more just and equitable Mississippi.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

(BOLTON, MS) – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02) released the following statement regarding the ongoing mail delays at the Jackson Processing Facility:

“My office has been made aware of the persistent mail delays at the Jackson Processing Facility, which have caused significant inconvenience to residents and businesses in the region. I understand the frustrations these delays have caused, and I want to assure my constituents that I am actively engaged in addressing this issue.

The following information was provided to me by a United States Postal Service officials:

“Senior Postal Service Leadership, including the Regional Processing Vice President and the new Senior Division Processing Director for Mississippi, Alabama, Louisiana, and Oklahoma, have been onsite in Jackson this week working with local management to resolve these delays and bring plant operations up to date. The U.S. Postal Service has also committed to increased overtime and a heightened focus on mail and packages destined for ZIP codes served by the Jackson facility”.

While I acknowledge these efforts, I remain concerned about the continued disruption in mail service. Timely mail delivery is critical for families, businesses, and those who rely on essential correspondence, including Social Security checks, prescription medications, and time-sensitive documents. My office will continue to monitor this situation closely to ensure postal officials take the necessary steps to bring the Jackson Mail Processing Facility up to acceptable standards.

I urge residents experiencing mail delays to report their concerns to my office or directly to the U.S. Postal Service. I will remain in contact with postal officials to ensure transparency and accountability as they work to improve operations at the Jackson facility.”

All United States Postal Service press inquiries should be emailed to Mr. James Stotts at James.E.Stotts@usps.gov.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bennie G Thompson (D-MS)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) criticizes the Trump administration for its hypocrisy in erasing World War II veteran and civil rights leader Medgar Evers from the Arlington National Cemetery website. 

“This is a disgrace. Medgar Evers was a World War II veteran who fought for this country overseas and then came home to fight for civil rights—only to be assassinated in his own driveway,” said Congressman Thompson (D-MS). Now, under policies set in motion by the Trump administration, his name has been erased from the Arlington National Cemetery website, as if his service and sacrifice never existed. This is not a mistake. This is a choice.” 

For years, Congressman Thompson championed a bill to establish the Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home as a National Monument. In 2019, Trump signed the bill into law, calling Evers “a great American hero.” Yet Trump’s policies have now resulted in Evers being erased from the Arlington National Cemetery website, removing him from a section honoring Black Americans who served in the nation’s wars. By purging Medgar Evers and other Black veterans, the Trump administration has once again demonstrated its disregard for racial justice and historical truth. 

“The hypocrisy is staggering. Trump’s administration wanted to claim credit for honoring Medgar Evers when it was politically convenient. Medgar Evers fought for this country, and his sacrifice will not be erased by the Trump administration or those seeking to rewrite history. We will fight to ensure that his legacy remains intact, honored, and remembered.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Adam Smith (D-WA-09) and Oregon’s U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley today teamed up to introduce strengthened legislation to put an end to the harmful practice of hedge funds buying up single-family homes. The Humans Over Private Equity (HOPE) for Homeownership Act continues Merkley and Smith’s efforts to tackle America’s housing affordability crisis by going after hedge funds that own and control large parts of our housing market, driving up both rents and purchase prices for single-family homes.

 “Too many families are struggling to afford to rent or to buy a home,” said Rep. Smith. “Large investors are buying up homes and squeezing out prospective buyers. The HOPE for Homeownership Act will crack down on corporate greed and make housing more affordable for families.”

“Houses should be homes for families, not profit centers for hedge funds,” said Senator Merkley. “The HOPE for Homeownership Act fights back against billionaire corporations controlling the single-family housing market. Let’s kick hedge funds to the curb to restore the dream of homeownership, one of the foundations that working families need to thrive.”
 
Large-scale hedge fund investors are taking over the housing market at an alarming, accelerating rate. In 2011, no single entity owned over 1,000 single-family rental units. In 2022, large institutional investors and hedge funds owned about 700,000 single-family home rentals, and financial analysts forecast that this ownership footprint will grow to 40% of all single-family home rentals by 2030.
 
The HOPE for Homeownership Act aims to kick hedge funds out of America’s single-family housing market by:

• Establishing a new tax penalty of 15% of the sale price (or $10,000, if greater) for hedge funds buying additional single-family homes;
• Taking away depreciation and mortgage interest tax breaks; and
• Imposing a new $5,000 per home tax penalty for hedge funds failing to fully sell off their currently owned single-family homes each year over a 10-year period.

 
In addition to Merkley and Smith, the HOPE for Homeownership Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and U.S. Representative Linda Sánchez (D-CA-38).
 
“Arizona families shouldn’t be forced to compete with massive Wall Street firms when trying to buy a home,” said Senator Gallego. “I’m proud to back the HOPE for Homeownership Act to level the playing field for hardworking Arizonans.”
 
“Rents are too high, and for many Arizona families the dream of owning a home feels out of reach. A big part of the problem is hedge funds buying up houses and driving up prices,” said Senator Kelly. “We’re putting a stop to Wall Street’s control of the single-family housing market so more working families can afford a place of their own.” 
 
“Family homes should not be used as a profit center for private companies and investors to get richer, making the American dream of home ownership more difficult,” said Senator King. “Currently, hedge funds are able to purchase single family homes in bulk with no restriction as part of their investment strategy. The Humans Over Private Equity (HOPE) for Homeownership Act would establish sensible restrictions that level the playing field for potential buyers. This legislation is a commonsense step toward putting American families ahead of large-scale, profit-seeking investors.”
 
“Hedge funds are buying up larger and larger shares of single-family homes – hoarding the housing supply to turn huge profits for their rich investors and crowding out hardworking families from the market. This legislation ends the warped incentives that are enabling deep-pocketed hedge funds and private equity firms to dominate the housing market, while leveling the playing field so more everyday Americans can achieve their goal of homeownership and build wealth,” said Senator Van Hollen.
 
“It is outrageous that homes Americans lost to foreclosure during the Great Recession were sold to the Wall Street firms that caused the crisis. Meanwhile, in America today, there is not a city, state or town where a full-time minimum wage worker can afford rent. Enough is enough. Wall Street billionaires cannot continue raking in obscene profits by buying up homes across the country and raising rents. That has got to end — this bill would help us do just that,” said Senator Sanders.
 
“Homeownership for working families today feels more like a fever dream than the American Dream,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Greedy corporations are buying up residential properties, especially in neighborhoods like mine in Southern California, pushing affordable options out of reach for first-time buyers and driving up home and rent prices. That’s why I’m proud to cosponsor the HOPE for Homeownership Act, which will lower housing costs and give working families a fair shot at owning a home.”
 
The HOPE for Homeownership Act is endorsed by Americans for Financial Reform, Consumer Action, National Housing Resource Center, National Consumer Law Center (on behalf of its low-income clients), National Housing Law Project, and Private Equity Stakeholder Project.
 
“Our housing market needs to work for U.S. families, not hedge funds. Unfortunately, private equity firms and other corporate landlords, flush with cash, have unfair advantages over first-time homebuyers who are struggling with sky-high home purchase prices and high interest rates. The HOPE for Homeownership Act will keep corporate landlords from gobbling up even more of our housing stock while giving a leg up to people who actually want to live in the homes they buy,” said Caroline Nagy, Associate Director for Housing at Americans for Financial Reform.
 
“With penalties for predatory hedge funds, the HOPE for Homeownership Act provides hope to homebuyers that the housing market will no longer be overrun by hedge funds devouring consumers’ chances of homeownership,” said Ruth Susswein, Director of Consumer Protection at Consumer Action.
 
Full text of the HOPE for Homeownership Act can be found by clicking here.
 
A bill summary can be found by clicking here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement:

“Last night, President Trump addressed a joint session of Congress. As Commander-in-Chief, he could have used this forum to bring the country together during a time of economic distress. Instead, he used his speech to mislead the American people and lie about critical issues. The American people deserve better from their President. 

“Families across our nation are struggling with high grocery prices, unaffordable housing, and expensive health care costs. Instead of addressing these problems, Trump has used his platform to reduce assistance for veterans, cut off cancer research, and cancel school meals for kids. He has spent the first 43 days in office cutting blank checks to the richest 1 percent, while leaving Middle-America to foot the bill. 

“The President’s priorities, from the economy to national security, are clearly wrong. At Trump’s urging, Elon Musk is blindly firing thousands of essential federal employees that keep our skies safe, safeguard our nuclear weapons, and keep our communities healthy from foreign viruses. Trump has also used the last 43 days alienate all of our friends in the world and make concession after concession to Putin. Trump’s efforts appear to be focused on weakening our federal government so he, Elon Musk, and their billionaire supporters can have great unchecked power.

“I urge my constituents who are concerned about Trump’s actions to remain engaged. Prioritize the issues that concern you most and devote your energy to addressing those issues. Our democracy thrives when people are present and informed. I am committed to standing with my constituents against policies that undermine our democracy, erode civil liberties, and favor the wealthy at the expense of working families.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D – Wash.) released the following statement regarding the passage of the Continuing Resolution by House Republicans:
 
“We need to pass a full-year budget that funds health care for veterans, education for our kids, and affordable housing for our communities. However, instead of passing a full-year funding bill that meets critical needs in communities across America, House Republicans offered a Continuing Resolution (CR) on the House floor that effectively guts services for working- and middle-class families to fund military projects and gives a blank check to Donald Trump and Elon Musk.
 
“This poorly crafted bill would also hand vast discretion over spending decisions to President Trump and tech CEO Elon Musk to cut programs and redirect funding as they see fit. All of the thousands of pages of funding guardrails have been erased in favor of a 90-page bill that lacks congressional direction and clarity. The broadness of the language in the CR will give a blank check to Donald Trump and Elon Musk to continue their agenda to empower billionaires at the expense of the working- and middle-classes. Among the critical services that this CR cuts are health care access for veterans, rent subsidies that assist 32,000 families, and key infrastructure projects.
 
“We need to pass a budget that addresses high health care costs, unaffordable housing, and other critical needs in American communities. The CR offers no solutions to those challenges, threatens to exacerbate a growing divide between the wealthiest one percent and the working class, and hands vast amounts of power to Trump and Musk. I voted no.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement:
 
“Trump is creating mass confusion with his constantly changing, on-again, off-again tariff policies. There are new announcements every day about what is included and excluded from these tariffs, making it difficult for businesses and consumers to plan ahead.

“In rapid succession over the past few days, he has announced tariffs, declared potential forthcoming tariffs on all agricultural imports, rolled back tariffs for the auto industry, exempted goods from Mexico that fall under USMCA, and exempted goods from Canada that fall under USMCA. These haphazard announcements create chaos, confusion, and uncertainty. 

“Tariffs can be a strategic tool, but Trump’s approach makes it clear he is simply using tariffs as a political stunt without any clear plan for how to use them effectively and actually confront the issues everyday Americans are facing. We need the President to adopt sensible, steadfast economic and trade policies that strengthen the American economy and help American workers. Trump’s current behavior only recklessly endangers our economy and undermines our relationship with our trade partners.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adam Smith (9th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Smith (D-Wash.) released the following statement regarding the Egyptian Gaza reconstruction plan and the Trump Administration’s response: 
 
“Last week, Arab leaders endorsed an Egyptian-led plan for reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The $53 billion plan for reconstruction would take place over five years and covered issues including immediate crisis repair, the construction of permanent housing and infrastructure, and plans to stimulate future economic growth.  

“There’s much more work that needs to be done before this plan could become a reality, as it fails to address details over the governance of Gaza and security arrangements for the region. However, despite its flaws, this proposal was a much-needed step forward for negotiations necessary to uphold the ceasefire and bring us closer to the ultimate goal of a two-state solution.  

“It is critical that the Trump Administration and the Israeli government take this starting point seriously and offer constructive feedback to continue the dialogue. We must be clear-eyed that Trump’s A.I.-fever-dream of a “Gaza Riviera” is an unacceptable option. Trump’s proposal would only result in the forcible displacement of over 2 million Palestinians and further destabilization of the region.  

“We must have a path forward that can lead to both legitimate Palestinian self-governance and security for Israel. The Egyptian plan for Gaza reconstruction is a starting point for how we can build a sustainable peace and must be taken seriously by Israel and the Trump Administration.”

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