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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Chairman of the Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee, Representative Rick W. Allen (GA-12), introduced the Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act.

This legislation seeks to codify that those who manage other people’s retirement savings under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA) must prioritize maximizing returns for a secure retirement rather than political or social impact using risky environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors. Upon the bill’s introduction, Representative Allen issued the following statement:

“Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings should never be jeopardized by politically-motivated mismanagement. Unfortunately, the Biden-Harris Administration made this possible with an overreaching rule that allows fiduciaries to aggressively invest retirees’ money in ESG funds—which often charge steeper fees, carry higher risk, and have lower returns. The Protecting Prudent Investment of Retirement Savings Act would codify that retirement plan sponsors must make investment decisions solely based on financial returns—ensuring Americans’ hard-earned savings are invested sensibly. I am grateful for Chairman Walberg’s support in this effort to protect the American Dream for millions of workers and families,” said Congressman Allen.

“Americans don’t work to have their hard-earned savings funneled into higher-risk, lower-yield ESG investments. The Biden-Harris administration’s misguided ESG policies allowed fiduciaries to play politics and steer retirees’ savings into left-wing investments for political and social purposes. I’m proud to support a bill, introduced by HELP Subcommittee Chairman Rick Allen, to protect Americans’ financial futures and promote retirees’ interest in a secure retirement—instead of out-of-touch ESG agendas,” said Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg.

BACKGROUND: In 2022, President Biden’s Department of Labor finalized a flawed rule that allowed financial advisors to invest Americans’ retirement savings into risky, climate-related ESG funds. Despite bipartisan and bicameral disapproval in the form of a Congressional Review Act resolution that passed both the House and Senate, President Biden doubled down on this rulemaking by vetoing the resolution. In the 118th Congress, the House of Representatives also passed similar legislation championed by Congressman Allen, but the bill died in the Democrat-controlled Senate.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

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

Stefanik Reintroduces Bipartisan Bill to Combat Invasive Species | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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

Headline: Carter launches American-Made Medicines Caucus

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today launched the American-Made Medicines Caucus, a group focused on promoting policies to onshore and friendshore pharmaceutical manufacturing, strengthen our economic and national security interests, and reduce America’s reliance on adversarial countries for essential medications.

The United States is dependent on imports for 90% of all generic drugs and ran a $127 billion trade deficit in pharmaceuticals in 2024.

“China determines whether we have the pharmaceutical products we need in the United States to keep our citizens healthy. That is a terrifying reality, one we must address before the next public health crisis. As a pharmacist, I’m launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus with the singular focus of bringing this critical supply chain home, so that we can strengthen our national security, create jobs, and Make America Healthy Again,” said Rep. Carter.

Founding members of the Caucus include Reps. Claudia Tenney (R-NY) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL).

“We must continue to support and encourage domestic pharmaceutical medicine production in our country, strengthen our supply chains, reduce our reliance on foreign suppliers, and reinforce our pharmaceutical security. I am eager to join Congressman Carter and Congressman Bilirakis in launching the American-Made Medicines Caucus to focus on creating legislative solutions to improve the domestic production of life-saving medications and antibiotics,” said Rep. Tenney.

“With our overwhelming reliance on Chinese pharmaceutical products and ingredients, it’s imperative that we find ways to increase domestic manufacturing capacity and preserve consumer access to these important and lifesaving products,” Rep. Bilirakis said. “Public health and wellness should not depend on our foreign adversaries, and I look forward to finding ways to address this threat through the Caucus.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Bowling Green, KY – Yesterday, April 22, 2025, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) welcomed Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum to Kentucky’s Second District for a tour of Mammoth Cave National Park. Secretary Burgum visited the park to celebrate National Park Week and to discuss the importance of preserving our public lands for Americans to enjoy. 

The visit included a guided cave tour by National Park Service staff. The National Park Service briefed Secretary Burgum and Congressman Guthrie about the rich history at Mammoth Cave National Park and the ongoing investments the park is making to improve the visitor experience.  
 
“It was an honor to welcome Secretary Burgum to Kentucky’s Second District for a tour of the world’s longest known cave at Mammoth Cave National Park,” said Congressman Guthrie. “Every year, this Kentucky natural wonder draws hundreds of thousands of visitors and contributes nearly $90 million to our local economy. I am so grateful for the Secretary’s visit to our park to highlight the importance of this Kentucky landmark and for his desire to responsibly unleash the potential of our public lands.” 

“As we continue to celebrate National Park Week, I visited Mammoth Cave National Park, home to the longest known cave system in the world, with Congressman Guthrie,” said Secretary Doug Burgum. “We toured the expansive cave system, met with park staff, and highlighted Interior’s ongoing commitment to ensuring our parks remain open and accessible to the public.”

Photos from yesterday’s tour of Mammoth Cave National Park with Secretary Burgum can be found here.

Background:

Established as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest known cave system that hosts incredible amounts of biodiversity and history. In 1981, the park was named a World Heritage Site, and in 1990 a Biosphere Reserve. 

The National Park Service reported that in 2023, Mammoth Cave National Park received more than 650,000 visitors and generated $89.6 million for communities surrounding the park. 

Congressman Brett Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY) soon plan to introduce the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This bill would allow the park to purchase additional land from the Nature Conservancy. This expansion would protect land in the Green River watershed to further conserve the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage, and expand tourism opportunities, including Coach Cave and James Cave, which hold prehistoric and historic artifacts. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded three Hurricane Helene-related grants to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The grants will help the Washington County Service Authority repair and replace waterline that serves Washington County and the Town of Damascus, Virginia. The grants are as follows:

$3,830,750.25 – “Route 58/91 to Straight Branch Phase 1”

$1,015,542.63 – “Taylors Valley to Reservation Spring Phase 2”

$1,096,216.77 – “Straight Branch to Taylors Valley Phase 3”

Total: $5,942,509.65

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The Town of Damascus was severely impacted by Hurricane Helene. The damage was so devastating that even Vice President JD Vance revisited Damascus with Governor Youngkin as one of his first official public appearances after being sworn into office.

“These grants for more than $5.9 million help Damascus replace the entire 36,319 feet of damaged waterline impacted by Helene.

“I will continue to advocate for Southwest Virginia as our communities seek federal assistance and resources for their recovery efforts.”

BACKGROUND

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

Funds from these grants will help secure contracts to furnish and install iron pipe as well as support repair design.

In January, Rep. Griffith announced $46.67 million in Helene relief to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

This funding is supported by the Disaster Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2025. Congressman Griffith voted in support of this legislation in December of 2024.

In late September, the Ninth District faced one of the most catastrophic natural events in recent memory. Storm conditions from Hurricane Helene battered Southwest and Southside Virginia, destroying houses and causing thousands of people to lose power. Rainfall exceeded 12 inches in some areas and with the water from North Carolina flowing north, it created an historic flood crest on the New River, from Grayson to Giles at the West Virginia border.

Immediately, Rep. Griffith began surveying and assessing storm damage in Helene’s aftermath. On the day after the storm, Rep. Griffith traveled to Damascus in Washington County, along with Governor Youngkin, to thank our first responders and to get a first-hand look at the damage there. Immediately following that, Rep. Griffith went to Independence in Grayson County to assess damage.

Over the course of the next few days and weeks, Rep. Griffith made additional visits to Independence, Fries, Radford, Giles County, Montgomery County, Pulaski County, Lee County and Russell County, among others.

Rep. Griffith penned a letter, alongside U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, supporting Governor Youngkin’s request for President Biden to approve Virginia’s Federal Emergency Declaration. After President Biden’s approval, the two U.S. Senators and Rep. Griffith moved by writing President Biden, requesting his support of Governor Youngkin’s expedited Major Disaster Declaration. This attempt was also successful.

Nearly every locality in Virginia’s Ninth District has been approved for either individual assistance or public assistance. Rep. Griffith visited the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center and met with National FEMA Administrator Deanne Criswell, who provided updates on recovery efforts throughout Southwest Virginia. 

Rep. Griffith was an original co-sponsor of two bills that were introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives in the 118^th Congress.

The Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act would have cut bureaucratic red tape and expedite the mobilization of disaster recovery resources to an area affected by a “major disaster” as declared by the President of the United States. 

The Helene Recovery Support Act would have authorized the delivery of $15 billion to provide additional resources for disaster relief and help small businesses in their recovery efforts. 

Rep. Griffith joined a bipartisan, bicameral group of colleagues in sending a letter to President Biden requesting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) send an immediate supplemental appropriation request to Congress to support communities that were devastated after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Toledo, Ohio —  Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus released the following statement in response to public statements by Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance that the United States of America should abandon being part of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine unless Ukraine agrees to surrender portions of its sovereign territory which were illegally annexed by Russia.

“Please let me remind the US Vice President and Secretary of State — Freedom means never Surrender, and Liberty must never capitulate to Dictatorship.  America does not live alone on this Earth. Our nation lives in a Free World alliance that is tested every day.

“Our leaders cannot turn America’s back to the murderous forces from Russia illegally bearing down on Ukraine. History is clear: Russian dictators if given an inch have always invaded further into territory that is not theirs. The facts speak for themselves — just ask Georgia, Poland, Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania.  Russia now taunts our nation’s closest military Allies on the European continent. We honor them and our collective memory of the historic sacrifice and bloodshed that built the Free World bequeathed to us.

“The Trump Administration proposes that the US abandon our European Allies. With them, our nation intergenerationally has painstakingly built NATO — a global fortress of democratic nations. Across Europe from the ruins of World Wars I and II lie the precious graves of 411,516 American soldiers. These heroes and heroines fought for the cause of Liberty and a world order that enshrines it, and our joint commitment to defend it above all else. This moment for Ukraine is a crucial test of our common purpose — freedom or subjugation?

“No succor can be allowed to a murderous dictatorship. No matter how many of Russia’s rich oligarchs seek to plunder and steal from the sacred soils and minerals of Ukraine, the Free West must stand united and say ‘No!’ Freedom lovers must not ignore history and allow Putin’s illegal invasion of Crimea and other stolen territories in Ukraine.

“No stolen territory should be ceded to Putin. Spanning 11 time zones, Russia holds enough territory. Putin has no need for Ukraine, which is among the poorest nations in Europe. His plunder seeks to reconstitute the vanquished Soviet dictatorship as he longs for more that is not his. Putin now issues an ultimatum: unless Ukraine agrees to surrender territory Russia ruthlessly and illegally invaded and seized there will be no peace deal. 

“The United States as leader of the Free world must never ever genuflect to tyrants. Aggressor Putin wants the United States to walk away from the negotiating table according to the terms the U.S. Vice President and Secretary of State laid out today. Those terms include ceding Ukraine’s territory to Russia. 

“Russia is losing the war it started without provocation in 2014. It is losing a war that Putin started and escalated in bloody fashion when he initiated a full-scale invasion in 2022. Sadly, at every step of the way, the Trump Administration has conceded to Putin’s demands without Ukraine‘s consent.  Russia does not recognize international agreements. It never has. 

“During World War II, it reneged on the Ribbentrop-Molotov agreement. Following World War II, Russia broke its commitments, made at the Yalta conference with its conquest of Poland. Russia signed the Budapest Memorandum to guarantee Ukrainian security and yet it invaded Ukraine. Putin even violated the cease-fire on targeting energy and civilian infrastructure targets negotiated by the Trump administration just weeks ago. Vladimir Putin and Russia, simply cannot be trusted.

“Why would the Vice President, Secretary of State or any world leader believe that communist dictator Vladimir Putin and the Russian regime will hold to a peace agreement?  They never have. 

“The only way to force Russia to abide by such agreement is to include strong security guarantees for Ukraine, to ensure Russia will remain in its own borders or face, serious, global sanctions, and consequence so severe they would collapse the Russian economy. Short of that, with the Vice President’s and Secretary of State’s abdication, Ukraine has everything to lose and Russia has everything to gain.  The White House isn’t leading a legitimate peace process. It is enabling the globally aggressive reach of the most lethal Dictatorship in Europe.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Emily Randall (WA-06) sent the following letter to the director of ICE’s Seattle Field Office:

Dear Ms. Wamsley:

We write to ask that full and fair consideration be given to Alfredo Juarez Zeferino’s request to be released from ICE custody while he undergoes immigration proceedings.

At the age of 25, Mr. Juarez Zeferino is a leading voice in advocating for farmworkers in his home state of Washington. He is also one of the founders of the independent farmworker union Familias Unidas por la Justicia. As an immigrant farmworker himself, Mr. Juarez Zeferino dedicates his life to representing the needs of his community and serving as a link to the legislative process for Triqui, Mixteco, and Spanish speaking farmworkers. His leadership in his union has positively impacted the farmworker community in Washington state.

Mr. Juarez Zeferino has shown himself to be a passionate, genuine, and respectful individual with deep ties to the local Washington community where he was raised. His detention has caused a ripple effect of suffering for his family, friends, colleagues, and the farmworkers in Washington who all rely on his presence and his work.

As Mr. Juarez Zeferino has no criminal history, we believe that due consideration should be given to his contention that he is neither a flight risk nor a danger to our community. We ask that Mr. Juarez Zeferino be given full and fair consideration for his release from the Northwest Detention Center to pursue his immigration case outside of detention.

Respectfully,

Rick Larsen
Pramila Jayapal
Emily Randall

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced his retirement:

“I’d like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Senator Dick Durbin on his career in public service. For nearly three decades, Senator Durbin has fought for everyday Americans, from introducing the DREAM Act to bringing historic infrastructure funding to the state of Illinois. He led the confirmation of Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, who shattered racial barriers as the first Black woman to sit on the high court.

“Senator Durbin may be leaving Congress, but his legacy will reverberate throughout Illinois and the country. A public servant at heart, his leadership, character and commitment to the people of Illinois will remain steadfast even after his days in office. I wish my friend Senator Durbin, his wife Loretta and his family all the best.”