MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Republican policies have pushed record numbers of borrowers into default and delinquency

“[T]his devastating increase in past due payments threatens not only individual borrowers but the broader economy.” 

Text of Letter (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), a member of the House Financial Services Committee, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs led 70 members of Congress in a letter calling on the Trump administration to address the ongoing and unprecedented wave of student loan delinquencies and defaults, which threatens the financial stability of millions of people and could have disastrous effects on the American economy.

Recent data suggests that over 5 million student borrowers are likely in default, and almost a third of borrowers are delinquent. This “default cliff” threatens the broader economy by suppressing consumer spending and locking families out of housing and other financial opportunities as their credit scores plummet.

“Every day this Administration fails to act, more borrowers—especially low-income, Black, and brown borrowers—are pushed closer to financial catastrophe,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “This isn’t just a policy failure—it’s a moral one. If Trump and Republicans truly cared about working families and following through on their promises to lower costs, they would act now before it’s too late.”

“If the administration fails to act, millions of Americans will be pushed to financial ruin, and Trump and Republicans will own this economic catastrophe. It’s time for Secretary McMahon to focus on commonsense solutions, instead of hiking costs for families at every turn,” commented Senator Warren. 

Rather than address this problem, the Trump Administration has used the powers of the federal government to deepen the crisis. For instance, since January, the Trump administration has fired over half of ED’s staff, including workers at Federal Student Aid (FSA) who are responsible for resolving problems with student loan repayment. The administration has also created a backlog of nearly 1.1 million unprocessed income-driven repayment (IDR) applications, taking away borrowers’ access to affordable monthly payments that would significantly drop borrowers’ risks of default. 

“[T]his default cliff threatens not only individual financial hardship but also has broader economic implications that warrant immediate intervention and mitigation strategies,” wrote the lawmakers. 

The coalition urged the Trump administration to take the following steps to address the default cliff: 

• Clear the nearly 1.1 million borrower backlog of IDR applications and abandon its plans to mass deny nearly 500,000 IDR applications; 
• Create an interest-free temporary default prevention forbearance to protect borrowers who cannot afford their monthly payments; 
• Reverse all recent decisions that have increased costs for borrowers and raised the likelihood that they enter default or delinquency; 
• Begin a strong outreach campaign, in coordination with members of Congress and key stakeholders, to borrowers who are at risk of entering default or who do enter default; and 
• Pause the forced collections process until the above steps have been implemented and until the Education Department implements robust guardrails against predatory and illegal collections practices.

“The student loan default crisis is a significant threat to millions of American families and the broader economy. Congress and the Administration have a responsibility to ensure that federal student loan programs support rather than undermine economic opportunity and stability,” concluded the lawmakers. 

The coalition requested that, in order to inform their legislative responsibilities regarding the federal student loan system and the functioning of the Education Department, the Department provide answers to the lawmakers’ questions by October 28, 2025, including what steps it is taking to protect against and address the rise in federal student loan delinquencies and defaults. 

“Instead of bringing down costs, President Trump and Secretary McMahon are working double time to push millions of struggling borrowers off of an unprecedented default cliff that will be economically disastrous for families and the broader economy,” said Protect Borrowers Policy Director, Aissa Canchola Bañez. “Americans with student loan debt deserve an Administration that protects borrower rights and ensures that student loan borrowers get the relief they are entitled to under the law. The last ten months have demonstrated that the Trump Administration cares more about lining the pockets of their wealthy friends rather than shielding working families from economic ruin. We applaud Senator Warren, Representative Pressley, and their colleagues for holding the Trump Administration accountable and calling on them to take action to protect borrowers and their families from the largest mass student loan default events in modern history.”

Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), along with Senators Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Ben Ray Lujan (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Alex Padilla (D-Calif.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) joined in signing the letter. 

Representatives Alma Adams (D-N.C.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), Julia Brownley (D-Calif.), André Carson (D-Ind.), Greg Casar (D-Texas), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gil Cisneros (D-Calif.), Yvette Clark (D-N.Y.), Emmanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), Steve Cohen (D-Tenn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.), Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Cleo Fields (D-La.), John Garamendi (D-Calif.), Sylvia Garcia (D-Texas), Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.), Jonathan Jackson (D-Ill.), Sara Jacobs (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Hank Johnson (D-Ga.), Robin Kelly (D-Ill.), Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Stephen Lynch (D-Mass.), Jim McGovern (D-Mass.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.), Emily Randall (D-Wash.), Jamie Raskin (D-Md.), Luz Rivas (D-Calif.), Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Mark Takano (D-Calif.), Bennie Thompson (D-Miss.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Paul Tonko (D-N.Y.), Lori Trahan (D-Mass.), Nydia Velázquez (D-N.Y.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), and Frederica Wilson (D-Fla.) also joined in signing the letter. 

A copy of the text of the letter can be found here.

Rep. Pressley has been a leading voice in Congress urging President Biden to cancel student debt. Following years of advocacy by Rep. Pressley—in partnership with colleagues, borrowers, and advocates—the Biden-Harris Administration announced a historic plan to cancel student debt that stands to benefit over 40 million people. She has consistently helped borrowers access student debt cancellation resources, including PSLF, and she was proud to welcome a union educator and PSLF recipient as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address in March.

• On May 14, 2025, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Ending Admirative Wage Garnishment Act, alongside Senators Warren and Booker, to suspend garnishments for student loan borrowers.
• On October 18, 2024, Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s approval of approximately $4.5 billion in additional student debt cancellation for approximately 60,000 workers nationwide who work in public service.
• On October 2, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined borrowers and advocates to unveil new state-by-state data quantifying the harm that Project 2025 would have on millions of public service workers nationwide.
• On September 10, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Warren and Rep. Jim Clyburn in urging the U.S. Department of Education to consider terminating its contract with student loan servicer MOHELA.
• On August 29, Rep. Pressley issued a statement following the Supreme Court’s refusal to reinstate President Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student debt relief program.
• On August 9, 2024, Rep. Pressley joined Senator Warren, Representative Dean, and their colleagues urging student loan servicer Navient to reform its flawed process to cancel the private student loans of borrowers who attended fraudulent, for-profit colleges.
• On June 25, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement on federal judges in Missouri and Kansas siding with Republican states to block portions of President Biden’s Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) student debt relief program. 
• On June 25, 2024, Rep. Pressley colleagues, borrowers, and advocates urged the Biden Administration to terminate the contract of federal student loan servicer MOHELA. Their calls follow MOHELA’s repeated failure to perform basic loan servicing functions and ongoing harm caused by MOHELA to student loan borrowers.
• On May 20, 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Omar, Clyburn and Wilson, led their colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Education to ensure its proposed student debt relief rule is implemented in the most effective and efficient manner possible for millions of borrowers.
• On May 1, 2024, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the Biden Administration’s approval of student loan discharge for 317,000 borrowers who attended The Art Institutes, including over 3,500 borrowers in Massachusetts.
• On April 14, 2024, Rep. Pressley applauded President Biden’s approval of an additional $7.4 billion in student debt cancellation for 277,000 borrowers.
• On April 8, 2024, Rep. Pressley hailed President Biden’s announcement of new plans to provide student debt relief for tens of millions of borrowers across the country.
• On March 21, 2024, Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s approval of $5.8 billion in additional student loan debt cancellation for 77,700 public service workers.
• On March 20, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren led their colleagues in calling on federal agencies to end the practice of offsetting Social Security benefits to pay off defaulted student loans.
• On March 7, 2024, Rep. Pressley welcomed Priscilla Higuera Valentine, a first generation American, a proud union educator with Boston Public Schools and the Boston Teachers Union, and the daughter of a Colombian immigrant, who has received over $117,000 in student debt relief under the Biden-Harris Administration’s improved Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, as her guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address.
• On February 23, 2024, Rep. Pressley applauded the Biden-Harris Administration’s approval of $1.2 billion in student debt cancellation for nearly 153,000 borrowers nationwide, including $19.5 million in cancellation for 2,490 Massachusetts borrowers.
• On January 26, 2024, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) led their colleagues in calling on the Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona to host a fourth session of the student debt negotiated rulemaking to consider relief for borrowers experiencing financial hardship. She applauded ED’s announcement that it would heed their calls.
• On December 11, 2023, Rep. Pressley testified at the U.S. Department of Education’s final hearing on student debt cancellation.
• On December 11, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), along with Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Alex Padilla (D-CA), and Representatives Ilhan Omar (MN-05) and Frederica Wilson (FL-24), sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, urging him to leverage his existing and full authority under the Higher Education Act to provide expanded student debt relief to working and middle-class borrowers. 
• On November 30, 2023, Rep. Pressley emphasized the crucial role of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in protecting student loan borrowers from incompetent and predatory student loan servicers.
• On November 6, 2023, Rep. Pressley joined Attorney General Andrea Campbell, Mayor Michelle Wu, and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) for a clinic to help federal student loan borrowers access a temporary opportunity to get closer to Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF). 
• On September 25, 2023, Rep. Pressley hosted a policy discussion with borrowers and advocates at which they renewed their urgent call for student debt cancellation with loan payments set to resume on October 1, 2023.
• On August 23, 2023, Rep. Pressley, Sen. Warren, and their colleagues led over 80 lawmakers in a letter to President Joe Biden, urging him to swiftly deliver on his promise to deliver student debt cancellation to working and middle class families by early 2024. 
• On August 22, 2023 Rep. Pressley applauded Governor Maura Healey’s plan to provide student debt relief for health care workers in Massachusetts. 
• On June 30, 2023, Rep. Pressley responded to the President’s alternative proposal to deliver relief under the Higher Education Act and called for swift and efficient implementation.
• On June 30, 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming the Supreme Court’s decision to block President Biden’s student debt cancellation plan and calling on the President to use other tools available to swiftly cancel student debt.
• On May 30, 2023, Rep. Pressley filed an amendment to H.R. 3746, legislation to raise the debt ceiling, to protect student loan borrowers and preserve the Biden Administration’s pause on federal student loan payments.
• On May 24, 2023, Rep. Pressley issued a statement slamming Republicans’ harmful effort to overturn President Biden’s student debt relief, including his debt cancellation plan, the pause on student loan payments, and the expanded Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.
• On May 24, 2023, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful speech in support of President Biden’s plan to cancel student debt, which would benefit millions of people across the country.
• On April 5, 2023, Rep. Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren wrote to the CEO of SoFi Technologies and SoFi Lending Corp calling on the company to answer for its lawsuits attempting to end the student loan payment pause and force borrowers back into repayment.
• On March 7, 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren, Schumer, Sanders, Padilla and Reps. Clyburn, Omar and Wilson led a letter to the Biden Administration expressing continued support for President Biden’s student debt relief plan.
• On February 28, 2023, Rep. Pressley rallied with borrowers and advocates outside the Supreme Court to call on the Supreme Court to affirm the legality of President Biden’s student debt cancellation plan.
• On November 22, 2022, Rep. Pressley issued a statement applauding the extension of the student loan payment pause.
• On October 25, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Senator Warren toured communities across Massachusetts to celebrate the Biden administration’s student debt cancellation plan and help residents sign up for student loan relief.
• On October 12, 2022, Rep. Pressley joined parent borrowers and advocates for a discussion on the impacts of student debt cancellation on parents and families.
• On September 29, 2022, Rep. Pressley, along with Senate Majority Leader Schumer and Reps. Omar, Jones and advocates, held a press conference to call for swift and equitable implementation of President Biden’s student debt cancellation plan.
• On September 21, 2022, Rep. Pressley delivered a powerful speech on the House floor in which she heralded President Biden’s action to cancel student debt for millions of families in the Massachusetts 7th and across the nation. Watch the full video here.
• On September 12, 2022, Rep. Pressley and Senator Warren wrote to the nine federal student loan servicers to inquire about how they are providing borrowers with accurate and timely information about student loan cancellation.
• On August 24, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement applauding President Biden’s action to cancel student debt.
• On August 10, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley and Senator Warren Massachusetts joined Massachusetts union leaders in Dorchester for a roundtable discussion on student debt cancellation.
• On July 18, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley delivered remarks at the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) national convention and renewed her calls for President Biden to cancel student debt by executive action.
• On July 8, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley with The Debt Collective hosted a virtual roundtable with student debt holders from all walks of life to highlight the intersectional burden the nearly $2 trillion student debt crisis has had on individuals and families. 
• On June 22, 2022, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, with Senator Elizabeth Warren and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, joined AFL-CIO and union leaders for a roundtable discussion on the importance of student debt cancellation for American workers.
• On May 20, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley applauded the Congressional Black Caucus’ (CBC) statement calling on President Biden to cancel student loan debt.
• On May 4, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley visited Bunker Hill Community College to celebrate the $1 million in federal community project funding she secured and continued her calls for President Biden to cancel student debt.
• On March 17, 2022, Congresswoman Pressley and Arisha Hatch, vice president and chief of campaigns at Color of Change, published an op-ed in Grio calling on President Biden to use his executive order authority to cancel up to $50,000 in student loan debt per borrower.
• On December 8, 2021, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senator Elizabeth Warren, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer sent a bicameral letter to President Joe Biden releasing new data about the adverse impact of restarting student loan payments and calling on him to act to cancel up to $50,000 of student debt.
• On December 2, 2021, Congresswoman Pressley delivered remarks on the House floor in which she reiterated her calls for President Biden to cancel $50,000 in federal student loan debt by executive action.
• On October 8, 2021, Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar and their House colleagues sent a letter to President Biden and Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona urging him to release the memo to determine the extent of the administration’s authority to broadly cancel student debt through administrative action.
• On July 29, 2021, Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement reaffirming President Biden’s authority – and the urgency – to cancel student loan debt.
• On June 23, 2021, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Senator Elizabeth Warren, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, and Congressman Joe Courtney led their colleagues on a bicameral letter to President Biden calling on him to extend the pause on federal student loan payments.
• On April 13, 2021, Congresswoman Pressley testified at a Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Policy hearing to examine the student loan debt crisis in our country.
• On April 1, 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Senator Elizabeth Warren and Massachusetts Attorney General Maura Healey, held a press conference calling on President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis.
• On February 4, 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with several Democratic House and Senate leaders, led their colleagues in reintroducing a bicameral resolution outlining a bold plan for President Biden to tackle the student loan debt crisis. 
• On December 17, 2020, Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Ilhan Omar, Maxine Waters, and Alma Adams introduced a resolution outlining a bold plan for President-elect Joe Biden to cancel up to $50,000 in Federal student loan debt for student loan borrowers.
• On December 10, 2020, Congresswoman Pressley was in Yahoo Finance urging the Biden administration to cancel student debt, stressing the impact on Black borrowers.
• On May 8, 2020, Representatives Ayanna Pressley, Alma Adams, and Ilhan Omar, led 28 of their colleagues and sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy calling for the universal, one-time, student debt cancellation of at least $30,000 per borrower in the next round of COVID-19 relief legislation.
• On March 23, 2020, Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Ilhan Omar introduced the Student Debt Emergency Relief Act, legislation that provides immediate monthly payment relief for federal student loan borrowers.
• On March 17, 2020, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley and Senator Elizabeth Warren were on The Hill calling on congressional leadership to include student debt cancellation in the next coronavirus relief package.
• On October 11, 2019, Congresswoman Pressley introduced legislation – the Ending Debt Collection Harassment Act – to protect consumers from abusive debt collection.
• On July 17, 2019, Congresswomen Pressley introduced legislation – the Student Borrower Credit Improvement Act – to provide much needed support to private student loan borrowers with a pathway to financial stability by helping them improve their credit.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter introduces resolution recognizing October as American Pharmacists Month

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), a pharmacist by trade, today introduced a resolution recognizing October 2025 as American Pharmacists Month, honoring the hardworking health care professionals many communities rely on to provide safe, accessible, affordable, and beneficial patient care.

“The work that pharmacists do is vital to the health of not only our patients and communities, but also our entire system of care. It is crucial that we give them the support and recognition they deserve, and this resolution is a step toward fulfilling that duty. Thank you to the honorable men and women who choose to work in this profession
and put others before themselves,” said Rep. Carter.

“October is American Pharmacists Month, a time to recognize the pharmacy professionals who keep our communities healthy every day. As a pharmacist, I know firsthand how often patients rely on their local pharmacy for immunizations, medication management, chronic disease counseling, and trusted advice close to home. Working alongside Congressman Buddy Carter, I am proud to honor the millions of pharmacy team members whose commitment improves outcomes and expands access to care for families across America. This month, we say thank you and we recommit to policies that empower pharmacists to practice at the top of their license so patients receive safer, more convenient, and more affordable care,” said Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-TN), cosponsor of the resolution. 

The resolution boasts support from key stakeholders representing pharmacists and pharmacy owners.

“American Pharmacies applauds Congressman Buddy Carter’s leadership in recognizing October 2025 as American Pharmacists Month — and for leading the way on the legislative reforms pharmacies and patients need. On behalf of our nearly 750 independent pharmacies across 38 states, we see every day how pharmacists deliver safe, accessible, and affordable care in their communities. We urge Congress to follow his lead and enact comprehensive PBM reforms that curb anticompetitive practices, bring transparency to reimbursement, and fairly value the care pharmacies provide. These changes are essential to preserving independent pharmacies and the patient access and public-health benefits they make possible,” said Steve Hoffart, Chairman, American Pharmacies/Owner, Magnolia Pharmacy

“During American Pharmacists Month, we celebrate the pharmacists who care for our communities every day — delivering medication counseling, necessary services, chronic disease support, and trusted guidance in neighborhoods across America. To unlock the full value pharmacists provide, we urge policymakers to enhance Americans’ access to pharmacist services and to enact meaningful PBM reform. With these common-sense policies, Americans can have timely access to the care they need and expect — when and where they need it,” said Steven C. Anderson, National Association of Chain Drug Stores President & CEO.

“We are grateful to Representative Carter for introducing this resolution to recognize the contributions of pharmacists in their communities. Pharmacists are integral members of the communities in which they work, live, and serve their neighbors. For many patients, they are often the most accessible health care providers,” said B. Douglas Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association. “Pharmacists provide vital healthcare services to their communities. They are medication experts who provide valuable counseling, critical health screenings, and a range of services that save lives, extend lives, and improve the quality of life, especially in underserved communities. Rep. Carter is a long-time community pharmacist, and he knows first-hand how important pharmacists are to their local communities and the country’s healthcare system. We appreciate his commitment to our profession and the patients we serve.”

“ASHP thanks Representatives Carter and Harshbarger for sponsoring H.Res 805, Recognizing October 2025 as ‘American Pharmacists Month,’” said Tom Kraus, Vice President of American Society of Hospital Pharmacists (ASHP) government relations. “ASHP appreciates the recognition of the essential access to care and critical role pharmacists play in patient care.”

“As we celebrate American Pharmacists Month, I am proud to recognize the dedication and expertise of pharmacists across the nation who play a critical role in protecting public health and ensuring safe medication practices,” said Al Carter, Executive Director / CEO of the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP). “We thank Rep. Carter for introducing this resolution, which highlights the tireless commitment of pharmacists across the country who make a profound impact in their communities every day.”

Read the full resolution here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — On Day 15 of the Democrat Government Shutdown, Speaker Johnson held a press conference alongside House GOP Leadership, Main Street Caucus Chairman Mike Flood, Main Street Caucus Vice Chairwoman Laurel Lee, Rep. Nick LaLota, Rep. Zach Nunn, and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks. Speaker Johnson highlighted the pro-shutdown Senate Democrats who represent states with the largest military populations and thanked President Trump for redirecting unspent funds to ensure troops are paid.

“And here are the indisputable facts of this shutdown. Republicans want to pay the troops, and we have shown that with our actions and our votes now nine times,” Speaker Johnson said. “And the Democrats want to use them as hostages to extort $1.5 trillion in new unserious partisan spending that we just won’t go along with.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On Senate Democrats denying U.S. troops a paycheck:

The depressing irony of this on this subject among all others, is that the most pro-shutdown Democrats actually represent the most active-duty service members back home, whom they have taken hostage in this insidious political game. And I want to give you a couple of examples. And this is the actual statistic; of the 10 states with the largest military populations, six are represented each by two Democrats in the Senate who are withholding the paychecks. Here’s the list.

In California, it’s home to 157,000 active-duty personnel, the most in the country. Those stationed at Fort Hunter Liggett and Camp Pendleton and Edwards Air Force Base and Vandenberg Space Force Base and others, will all miss a paycheck at the end of the month if Democrat obstruction continues. Now, this is worthy of note. Both California Senators Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla are gleeful about this government shutdown. They agree with Chuck Schumer when he said very candidly, just a few days ago, “Every day of the shutdown gets better for us.” Who’s the us? He’s talking about Democrats. He thinks this is assisting their party and giving him political cover, so he doesn’t attract a Marxist challenger in his next Senate reelect. That’s what this is about. He thinks the government shutdown is allowing him to show a fight against President Trump and Republicans, and he is happy about that. And so are Adam Schiff and Alex Padilla, while service members are going without paychecks.

Virginia. Virginia’s home to 119,000 active-duty personnel, the second most in the country. Those stationed at Naval Station Norfolk, Quantico, and Fort AP Hill and others will miss paychecks at the end of this month if this is not resolved. Both Virginia Senators, Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, are playing political games with the paychecks of 119,000 service members.

Georgia. Georgia’s home to 65,000 active-duty personnel. It’s the sixth most in the country. Those stationed at Fort Benning, Fort Stewart Moody Air Force Base, and others will miss paychecks. And just last week, this is so aggravating to us, it’s so frustrating to us, it’s so wrong. We saw service members waiting hours in lines wrapped around the block at Georgia food pantries. And meanwhile, you’ve got both Georgia Senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, have now voted eight times against paying those heroes.

Washington. The state of Washington is home to 57,000 active-duty personnel. It is the seventh most in the country. And those stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base, Naval Base Kitsap, Joint Base Lewis-McChord and others will miss paychecks. Both Washington Senators Patty Murray and Maria Cantwell have repeatedly voted against pay for service members in the Evergreen State.

Hawaii. Hawaii is home to 43,000 active-duty personnel. It is the eighth most in the country. Those stationed at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Schofield Barracks and others will miss paychecks. And both Hawaii Senators Mazie Hirono and Brian Schatz have voted against paying soldiers stationed in Hawaii. And by the way, many of them are thousands of miles away from their families.

Colorado is home to 35,000 active-duty personnel, the 10th most in the country. And those stationed at Fort Carson, Buckley Space Force Base, Peterson Space Force Space, and others will miss paychecks. And you guessed it, both Democrat Senators from Colorado, John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, have voted against paying those troops in their state.

And I just want mention New York, it gets honorable mention, it isn’t in the top 10, but the Empire State is home to 17,000 active-duty personnel, the 17th most in the country. Those stationed at Fort Drum and Fort Hamilton and others will miss paychecks. And sadly, both New York Senators Kiersten Gillibrand and the architect of the shutdown himself, Chuck Schumer, can barely hide their delight that the government is closed and troops are not being paid.

On House Democrats embarrassing theatrics:

Today, if it weren’t for the bold leadership of President Trump helping us to protect our military, everyone needs to understand that 1.3 million active-duty service members would be missing a paycheck. They’ll get their check thankfully, because President Trump has shown strong leadership and under his direction, the Department of War has now redirected unspent funds to ensure that our troops are taken care of. And this is while Democrats are playing political games.

Last night they played some games. They stormed my office. Maybe you saw some of the video online that they themselves shared, or someone did. They berated a Capitol Police officer, screamed at him. He was just merely standing his post. It shows again their disdain for law enforcement as we see all around the country; the Democrats and everyone in that party screaming, assaulting the ICE officers. They did it right here in the Capitol last night. A few members of Congress went into the little foyer of my office and tore down a sign that it had up and just engaged in all sorts of political stunts and antics. They’ve been doing that every day now, and it shows their desperation. It also shows a very strong contrast between the party that is working for the people and trying to keep the government open and do the right thing, and the party that is engaging in all this nonsense. But they’ve shown by their actions and now their votes multiple times now. Nine times the Democrats have voted, counting the House and the Senate Democrats, they have voted to not pay the troops.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Congresswomen Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) led 13 of their colleagues in demanding that Energy Secretary Chris Wright reverse the harmful decision to cancel $1 billion in federal funding for the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub.

“We write to denounce the Department of Energy (DOE)’s unacceptable and unlawful termination of the Pacific Northwest Hydrogen (PNWH2) Hub. The PNWH2 Hub was one of the largest of 223 projects across primarily blue states that DOE announced would lose funding. With this political ploy, you create severe economic losses for our region, risking thousands of good-paying jobs, billions of dollars in investment, and the setback of the United States’ position on energy independence,” the letter states. 

The Pacific Northwest Hydrogen Hub was the direct result of years of bipartisan advocacy and was set to bolster the region’s economy and domestic energy production. The Hydrogen Hub would create more than 10,000 high-quality jobs, bring in over $4 million in training programs, and attract approximately $5 billion in private investment. The decision to cancel this funding, rooted in political retribution, is gambling away economic opportunity for constituents and businesses. This will lead to higher costs and hurt American energy production and competitiveness in global energy markets, ceding ground to international competitors like China. 

The letter continues, “With these stakes, it is in the best interests of the region’s grid reliability, economy, and families for DOE to reverse this illegal decision to terminate the PNWH2 Hub. We demand that you take corrective action to lower rising energy costs, strengthen U.S. energy independence, and restore these domestic manufacturing jobs while adhering to the rule of law.”

The full text of the letter can be found here. 

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

Today, U.S. Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08) and Steny Hoyer (D-MD-05) led their colleagues in sending a bipartisan letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urging OMB to follow the law—which President Donald Trump signed in 2019—that requires furloughed federal employees to receive back pay during a government shutdown. The members underscore that the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019, which was passed and signed into law during the last shutdown under President Trump, is clear that all federal employees, whether they are excepted or furloughed, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends.

“During the 2018-2019 shutdown, we worked with President Trump to enact the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) of 2019, the intent of which is clear – federal employees are entitled to retroactive pay in the event of a government shutdown. We applauded President Trump for signing this bipartisan bill into law,” the members wrote.

“The law is clear: all impacted government employees, regardless of excepted or furloughed status, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends, which is consistent with the guidance currently provided by federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM),” the members wrote. “OPM’s shutdown guidance from September 2025 still states that furloughed federal workers will be provided back pay once the government reopens.”

The members continued, “The decision by OMB to remove critical guidance on federal employee back pay is causing unnecessary stress for the federal workforce comprised of nearly 2.2 million employees.”

“We request you immediately clarify and update the Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations Document and other relevant materials to affirm that furloughed employees will receive back pay, as is required by law,” the members concluded.

In addition to Kaine, Murkowski, Van Hollen, Alsobrooks, Warner, Beyer, and Hoyer, the letter is cosigned by U.S. Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Andy Kim (D-NJ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ed Markey (D-MA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Gary Peters (D-MI), Jack Reed (D-RI), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Ron Wyden (D-OR). It is also cosigned by U.S. Representatives Alma Adams (D-NC-12), Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04), Becca Balint (D-VT-AL), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Ami Bera (D-CA-06), Sanford Bishop (D-GA-02), Shontel Brown (D-OH-11), Julia Brownley (D-CA-26), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL-13), Janelle Bynum (D-OR-05), André Carson (D-IN-07), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Ed Case (D-HI-01), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Angie Craig (D-MN-02), Danny Davis (D-IL-07), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Diana DeGette (D-CO-01), Suzan DelBene (D-WA-01), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA-10), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Shomari Figures (D-AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Bill Foster (D-IL-11), Lois Frankel (D-FL-22), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús García (D-IL-04), Robert Garcia (D-CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX-29), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA-34), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), Jahana Hayes (D-CT-05), Pablo Hernández (D-PR-01), Steven Horsford (D-NV-04), Val Hoyle (D-OR-4), Glenn Ivey (D-MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Bill Keating (D-MA-09), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Greg Landsman (D-OH-01), John Larson (D-CT-01), Summer Lee (D-PA-12), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM-03), Mike Levin (D-CA-49), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Doris Matsui (D-CA-07), Lucy McBath (D-GA-06), Sarah McBride (D-DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (D-MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James McGovern (D-MA-02), LaMonica McIver (D-NJ-10), Robert Menendez (D-NJ-08), Grace Meng (D-NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (D-MD-07), Dave Min (D-CA-47), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Frank Mrvan (D-IN-01), Kevin Mullin (D-CA-15), Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12), Joe Neguse (D-CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-14), Johnny Olszewski (D-MD-02), Ilhan Omar (D-MN-05),  Frank Pallone (D-NJ-06), Chris Pappas (D-NH-01), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO-07), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Jamie Raskin (D-MD-08), Luz Rivas (D-CA-29), Deborah Ross (D-NC-02), Raul Ruiz (D-CA-25), Andrea Salinas (D-OR-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (D-PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), Bobby Scott (D-VA-03), Terri Sewell (D-AL-07), Brad Sherman (D-CA-32), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), Adam Smith (D-WA-09), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA-10), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10), Tom Suozzi (D-NY-03), Eric Swalwell (D-CA-14), Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13), Mark Takano (D-CA-39), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Dina Titus (D-NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12), Jill Tokuda (D-HI-02), Paul Tonko (D-NY-20), Ritchie Torres (D-NY-15), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), Juan Vargas (D-CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), James Walkinshaw (D-VA-11), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL-25), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ-12), Nikema Williams (D-GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Director Vought:

The Office of Management and Budget’s (OMB) recent update to the Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations document implies that furloughed federal workers are not entitled to back pay. Additionally, a draft OMB memo stated the administration would deny back pay to furloughed federal workers for the current government shutdown. During the 2018-2019 shutdown, we worked with President Trump to enact the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act (GEFTA) of 2019, the intent of which is clear – federal employees are entitled to retroactive pay in the event of a government shutdown. We applauded President Trump for signing this bipartisan bill into law. 

On January 16, 2019, the Senate unanimously passed the Government Employee Fair Treatment Act to guarantee back pay for all impacted federal workers once a government shutdown ends. This law was enacted during the longest government shutdown which lasted 35 days at the end of 2018, and into the beginning of 2019. Prior to the law’s passage, Congress had to pass specific legislation after each shutdown to ensure furloughed workers received back pay. 

Explicitly, the law guarantees back pay for all federal employees in the event of a government shutdown. “Each employee of the United States Government or of a District of Columbia public employer furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse in appropriations, and each excepted employee who is required to perform work during a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for such work, at the employee’s standard rate of pay, at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates, and subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.” The law requires that retroactive pay be required in the event of any government shutdown after December 22, 2018.

The law is clear: all impacted government employees, regardless of excepted or furloughed status, are entitled to back pay after a government shutdown ends, which is consistent with the guidance currently provided by federal agencies, including the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). OPM’s shutdown guidance from September 2025 still states that furloughed federal workers will be provided back pay once the government reopens. The decision by OMB to remove critical guidance on federal employee back pay is causing unnecessary stress for the federal workforce comprised of nearly 2.2 million employees.

Thus, we request you immediately clarify and update the Frequently Asked Questions During a Lapse in Appropriations Document and other relevant materials to affirm that furloughed employees will receive back pay, as is required by law.

Sincerely,

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

October 15, 2025 | In The NewsWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) led a group of Florida lawmakers in a letter to the Department of Transportation and the Federal Aviation Administration.From the Washington Examiner:“A bipartisan group of Florida lawmakers is pressing Federal Aviation Administration and Transportation Department personnel to coordinate more efficiently between themselves and with commercial groups to protect the Sunshine State as a leading partner in aerospace advancements.”This letter to Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford calls for the creation of an Airspace Coordination Team (ACT) composed of government and industry partners. It also requests clarification from the DOT and FAA on their strategies for improving efficiency and tackling problems related to the fragmentation of responsibilities within their respective agencies. Finally, the letter spells out how the ACT may be established and seeks an update on certifying the Space Data Integrator (SDI) capability.“From Cape Canaveral to the Suncoast, Florida is the cornerstone of America’s vibrant aerospace sector,” said Rep. Steube. “As the world continues to push past the boundaries of earth, it is critical that we preserve Florida’s leadership role in the global space race. I am honored to join the Florida delegation in calling for Secretary Duffy and FAA Administrator Bedford to improve the efficiency and security of air and space travel by modernizing their respective agencies.” Rep. Steube is joined by fellow Florida lawmakers Sen. Ashley Moody and representatives Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Vern Buchanan, Kat Cammack, Mario Díaz-Balart, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Scott Franklin, Carlos A. Gimenez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Brian Mast, Cory Mills, Jared Moskowitz, Jimmy Patronis, John Rutherford, María Elvira Salazar, Darren Soto, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Daniel Webster.“Florida is home to America’s space industry,” said Rep. Webster. “As home to the world’s premiere spaceport, it is critical that we strengthen the systems that support it. By modernizing our airspace infrastructure and establishing a coordinated framework, we can ensure the second space race to the Moon and beyond launches first from Florida and not China.”“Florida’s Space Coast is the heart of America’s space and aerospace industry,” said Rep. Haridopolos. “To sustain that success, we must modernize our systems and strengthen coordination to protect our airspace. As launches grow more frequent, our technology and infrastructure must evolve to meet the pace. Creating an Airspace Coordination Team will make Florida’s skies safer, our launches more efficient, and our economy stronger. Florida should lead the world in how we manage airspace, streamline operations, and ensure safety.”“Florida is America’s gateway to space, and Cape Canaveral stands at the forefront of our nation’s next great era of exploration. With the growing number of commercial and military launches, it’s critical that we streamline communication and coordination among all stakeholders to keep our skies safe and efficient,” said Rep. Gimenez. “Establishing an Airspace Coordination Team and modernizing our radar and air traffic control systems will strengthen Florida’s leadership in aerospace innovation and ensure the United States maintains its global edge in space.”The letter is supported by a bipartisan group of members of the Florida House of Representatives comprised of Speaker-Designate Mike Redondo, Yvette Benarroch, Omar Blanco, Bill Conerly, Anne Gerwig, Sam Greco, Kim Kendall, Jennifer Kincart Jonsson, Monique Miller, Danny Nix, Vanessa Oliver, Michael Owen, Bill Partington, Judson Sapp, and Meg Weinberger. “It was an honor to lead 15 of our freshman House legislators to Washington, D.C., to advocate for expanding Florida’s aerospace footprint,” said State Rep. Kim Kendall (HD-18). “As a former FAA air traffic controller who worked rocket launch packages and military missions, this is truly my passion. We were grateful for the strong interest and support from our federal delegation. At the state level, we’re moving full steam ahead—focused on growing our aerospace sector across the board, from space and military operations to commercial flight, drones, urban air mobility, workforce housing, and education. This is not only vital to our state’s economy but also to our national defense.”
Read the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Americans are witnessing a remarkable split screen: on one side, President Trump and Congressional Republicans delivering peace and prosperity; while on the other, Democrats in Washington have accomplished just one thing — a government shutdown.

THE REPUBLICAN SIDE OF THE SPLIT SCREEN

While Democrats focus on political theater and shutting down the government, Republicans are producing real results across every front — at home and abroad.

LOWER TAXES, LOWER COSTS, STRONGER FAMILIES

The Working Families Tax Cut bill is delivering direct relief to middle-class families — cutting taxes, lowering premiums, and restoring accountability in federal health care programs.

Republicans are fueling economic growth by restoring fiscal discipline and rebuilding American industry after years of Democrat waste and inflation.

• The U.S. inflation rate stands at 2.9% — down sharply from a 9% peak under Democrat leadership.
• The U.S. has collected nearly $200 billion in tariff revenue since ‘Liberation Day’ in April.

PEACE THROUGH STRENGTH

• President Trump brokered a historic peace deal between Israel and Hamas — ending years of violence, securing the release of hostages, and restoring stability in the Middle East.
• Obliterated Iran’s nuclear sites.
• Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the White House this week at President Trump’s invitation.
• The U.S. military is seeing record-high recruitment numbers under President Trump’s leadership.

SECURING THE BORDER AND PROTECTING COMMUNITIES

THE DEMOCRAT SIDE OF THE SPLIT SCREEN

• Shut down the United States government.
• Voted NINE times to keep it closed — blocking the same “clean” continuing resolution they once supported.
• Left millions of Americans without pay or basic services while demanding $1.5 TRILLION in new spending — including taxpayer-funded benefits for illegal aliens.
• Voted for a record tax increase on the American people.
• Achieved RECORD-HIGH disapproval from the American people.

BOTTOM LINE

On one side of the screen, Democrats have shut down the government, driven up costs, and lost the trust of the country.

On the other side of the screen, President Trump and Republicans are governing — restoring peace abroad, rebuilding prosperity at home, and re-establishing law and order.

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

Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MSNBC’s The Last Word, where he highlighted that Democrats will continue to fight to end the Trump-Republican government shutdown and the healthcare crisis that is causing pain for everyday Americans all across the country.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Leading off our coverage tonight is House Democratic Leader, Congressman Hakeem Jeffries of New York. Thank you very much for joining us tonight. We heard your counterpart, the Republican counterpart, the Speaker of the House, say today literally, ‘I have no strategy.’ Do you have a strategy?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, good evening, Lawrence, great to be with you. You know, our strategy from the very beginning has been clear. We’ll sit down anytime, anyplace, with anyone, either on Capitol Hill or back at the White House, in order to reopen the government, to find bipartisan common ground in order to enact a spending agreement that meets the needs of the American people. But it actually has to make life better for everyday Americans, as opposed to what Republicans have done throughout this year, which is to enact legislation such as their One Big Ugly Bill that rewards their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks and hurts everyday Americans. And, of course, our view and our position has been very clear that we need to address the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating people all across the country, whether that’s working-class America, rural America, urban America, small-town America, the heartland of America and Black and brown communities throughout America.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: Donald Trump is giving $20 billion to Argentina. What would a Democratic Congress do with that $20 billion?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, that $20 billion can actually be used to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits for more than 20 million Americans who are going to otherwise confront dramatically increased premiums, co-pays and deductibles that are about to skyrocket because of the unwillingness of Republicans to extend those Affordable Care Act tax credits that benefit everyday Americans. You know, this is a real extraordinary thing, Lawrence, and I’m so thankful that you’re covering it. This isn’t an America first act. This is an Argentina first act. And if Donald Trump can find $20 billion to bail out his right-wing dictator friend in Argentina, it’s extraordinary to me that Republicans are unwilling to even have a discussion about how we address the healthcare crisis that they’ve created, which of course includes the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals and nursing homes and community-based health centers are closing all across the country, including in Mike Johnson’s home state of Louisiana, because of their One Big Ugly Bill. And now they’re refusing to deal with the Affordable Care Act tax credit issue. It’s a shame, but they can find money—$20 billion—for Argentina.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: The legislative work that we’ve just been discussing is the primary purpose of the House of Representatives. But there’s also an investigative function. What would a Democratic-controlled House of Representatives do if a member of the administration, Democrat or Republican administration, was recorded on FBI video taking $50,000 in cash from undercover FBI agents?

LEADER JEFFRIES: That person would be hauled up to Capitol Hill immediately and be held accountable in front of the American people for what clearly appears to be engaging in the crime of bribery. And then beyond the bribery that appears to have taken place, there clearly seems to be a cover-up amongst some of the people within the Trump administration who have no interest in holding this extreme individual accountable. You know, our general view in terms of what we as Democrats want to do and will continue to do for the American people is as follows. We need to lower the high cost of living. We need fix our broken healthcare system. And we need to clean up corruption that exists in the Congress, within the Supreme Court and certainly in the administration, which I think the likes of which we’ve just not seen ever in American history. And the administration, by the way, in real time, is running the largest pay-to-play scheme in the country’s history. And this all needs to be brought to light. I think it was Brandeis who made the observation, sunlight is the best of disinfectants. And there’s a lot that needs to be disinfected within this corrupt administration.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: In MSNBC’s reporting, breaking that story about Tom Homan taking the $50,000 in cash, the purpose in that discussion with the undercover FBI agents was apparently that Homan would help them—they were posing as business operatives—help them obtain government contracts, which is exactly the position that Tom Homan is in tonight. He’s in a position to help deliver massive government contracts that Donald Trump has embarked on in just—on the new immigration enforcement infrastructure.

LEADER JEFFRIES: I am confident that all of their corrupt scheming is going to come to light, and we certainly are going to make sure that they’re held accountable for the misuse of taxpayer dollars in ways that are inconsistent with what any administration should be doing, particularly in an environment where this administration and the Republicans have failed the American people. You know, their core promise last year, over and over and over again, was that Republicans were going to lower the high cost of living on day one. But we know costs haven’t gone down, they’ve gone up. Inflation is out of control. The Trump tariffs are making life more expensive. Grocery costs are too high. Housing costs too high. Electricity bills skyrocketing. And now, these Republicans have zero interest in extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits, which is going to result in these healthcare costs skyrocketing through the roof. So we’ve got a failed presidential administration and failed Republican policies actively making life worse for the American people. And then, you know, this pay-to-play scheme that’s being run out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue with all of the Trump sycophants and minions eagerly participating as if they’re never going to be held accountable—they are going to held accountable, certainly. That process will begin when Democrats take back control of the House, but it will continue thereafter. And I remind all of these corrupt individuals, these sycophants, the statute of limitations is five years. The American people want accountability, deserve accountability and will get accountability.

LAWRENCE O’DONNELL: House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, thank you very much for starting off our coverage tonight.

Full interview can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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