MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Rep. Larsen Statement on Ukraine-Russia Peace Talks

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Trahan Nominates Third District Students to Service Academies

Lowell, April 23, 2025

LOWELL, MA – Yesterday, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) hosted a ceremony to nominate students from across the Third District to United States Service Academies. The event was held at Dracut’s Harvey J. Gagnon Harmony Hall.
“It’s one of my greatest honors and most serious responsibilities to nominate outstanding young men and women from our district to our nation’s service academies,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “These students are driven by something bigger than themselves – by a desire to serve, to lead, and to contribute to the common good. Their commitment to country and community inspires hope for the future of our armed forces and our nation.”
This year, Trahan nominated students from across the Third District to the United States Military Academy at West Point, the United States Naval Academy, the United States Air Force Academy, and the United States Merchant Marine Academy. Nominees include:
West Point:

Savannah Liles, Littleton, Littleton High School
Gavin Datta, Acton, Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
Harold Nerrow, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School, Villanova University
Samuel Richenburg, Haverhill, St. John’s Prep
Tait O’Koniewski, Lawrence, Austin Preparatory School
Hieu-Shawn Phan, Methuen, Northeastern University – Liberty Battalion Army ROTC
Private First Class Pearl Kalungi, Lowell, United States Army
Thomas Collins, Tyngsborough, Tyngsborough High School
Raily Romano Hidalgo, Haverhill, Haverhill High School

Naval Academy:

Thomas Livens, Carlisle, Lawrence Academy
Lincoln Green, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
Yazmin Jenkins, Lowell, Greater Lowell Technical High School
John James Rubera, Haverhill, Haverhill High School
Eliot Hong, Billerica, Shawsheen Valley Technical High School

Air Force Academy:

Charles Stone, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School
Darro Sieu, Billerica, Billerica Memorial High School

Merchant Marine Academy:

Gunnar Lyons, Concord, Concord-Carlisle High School

The student nominees were interviewed and recommended by volunteer members of Trahan’s Service Academy Board, which is composed of academy alumni, veterans, and community leaders. Current board members include:

Pat Wojtas: A United States Air Force veteran, Pat was the first woman in Massachusetts to be commissioned to the Air Force through the ROTC program at UMass Amherst. She is currently a member of the Chelmsford Select Board.
Leanne Collazo: A retired Army Lieutenant Colonel and West Point graduate, Suzanne was a UH-60 pilot and Battalion Commander.
John Moses: A United States Army veteran, John has been an active member of the Afghan Evac community since the start of evacuation in August 2021. He is currently a member of the Chelmsford School Committee.
Harold Naughton Jr.: A Major in the United States Army Reserve, Harold previously represented the 12th Worcester District in the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
David Cote: A United States Marine Corps veteran and graduate of the United States Naval Academy, David leads The Summit Project, a veteran-focused nonprofit that sustains the memories of post-September 11th servicemembers who were killed in action. In 2011, he was named the Military Times Marine of the Year.
Paulette Joyce: A retired Westford teacher, Paulette advocates for veterans following the passing of her husband, United States Army Lieutenant Colonel Fred Joyce.

More information on the military service academy nomination process can be found HERE.
###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Today, U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies, issued the following statement on the Trump Administration’s move to significantly reorganize the Department of the Interior:

“On Friday afternoon before a holiday weekend, the Interior-Environment Appropriations Subcommittees received a letter from the Department of the Interior related to a Department-wide reorganization to consolidate administrative and support services. The letter does not include any detail about changes to organizational structure, funding flows, staffing, or any other functions, and the Trump Administration has not yet agreed to provide any further information. The letter states that the first phase of the reorganization would start within 48 hours—on Easter Sunday.

“It is unacceptable for the Administration to unilaterally overhaul agency structure and funding through a hasty, mid-year shuffle—especially when the fiscal year 2025 Appropriations bill clearly maintains the Department’s longstanding operations and organization. The services it seeks to move from each individual bureau to the department level—like hiring seasonal park rangers, engaging with communities around specific public lands, conducting fair and cost-effective bidding for major construction projects, and overseeing grants tied to program-specific eligibilities—form the operational backbone of each bureau and reflect their distinct missions and authorities. Making such broad-sweeping changes without conducting detailed organizational research, evaluating consequences, planning a transition, or consulting Congress is reckless.

“Given the Administration’s ongoing illegal funding freezes, assault on the federal workforce, haphazard cancellation of building leases, and other efforts to throw agencies into total chaos and paralyze the federal government, we cannot take any such reorganization as a serious attempt to improve efficiency. We demand that the Department of the Interior halt implementation of this large-scale reorganization and propose such changes in the President’s budget request for full examination and final determination by Congress.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

CHICAGO – Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) brought together leaders, educators, and students from eight Chicagoland community colleges at Harry S Truman College for a roundtable discussion on expanding access to career and technical education (CTE) programs that are vital to Illinois’ economic future. The conversation followed a tour of Truman’s Child Development Laboratory School, a prime example of how community colleges are training students for in-demand careers in early education. The roundtable focused on advancing CTE pathways in sectors like healthcare, childcare, and the skilled trades—fields facing urgent workforce shortages across the state.

“Every Illinoisan deserves the opportunity to work a good-paying job where you don’t need a four-year degree to earn a living wage. At the same time, our state needs high-quality health care professionals, child care workers, and skilled labor workers to grow our economy,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Career and technical education programs at community colleges provide us with a unique opportunity to make both those happen at the same time. By investing in high-quality CTE programs at colleges from across the Chicago area now, we can ensure all Illinoisans have the chance to succeed while also modernizing our workforce to keep Illinois at the forefront of an ever-changing economy.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi has long championed CTE in Congress, co-authoring the bipartisan Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act that increased federal funding to CTE programs by $1.3 billion annually to meet today’s workforce demands. At the roundtable, he reaffirmed his commitment to ensuring that federal policy keeps pace with the evolving needs of students, employers, and educators.

College leaders underscored the importance of stable federal funding, expanded apprenticeships, and industry-aligned curricula to strengthen pipelines into high-growth career fields. They also highlighted the critical role of wraparound services that help students overcome barriers to completing their education and entering the workforce.

Participants included leaders from Harry S Truman College, Harper College, Elgin Community College, Joliet Junior College, Malcolm X College, Oakton College, Wilbur Wright College, Olive-Harvey College, and the Illinois Community College Trustees Association.

The roundtable discussion was the latest in a series of conversations Congressman Krishnamoorthi has initiated across the state to ensure Illinois students have the skills and support needed to thrive in a rapidly changing economy. Congressman Krishnamoorthi has held similar events in cities such as East St. Louis, Rock Island, and the Quad Cities in recent months.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) wrote to Acting Director of the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Susan Monarez criticizing the elimination of all full-time staff at the CDC’s Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP), a vital program that works to prevent and control public health incidents and disease outbreaks aboard cruise ships. In their letter, Matsui and Blumenthal cite recent reports of illnesses spreading on cruise ships, including norovirus. The decimation of the VSP comes at a time of cuts, freezes, and firings at the CDC from the Trump Administration’s Department of Government Efficiency.

“Through routine inspections, training of cruise ship personnel, and responses to and documentation of outbreaks aboard cruise ships, the VSP protects and promotes public health for cruisegoers everywhere. This critical information helps the traveling public make informed decisions before they sail,” wrote the lawmakers. “It is therefore confounding that the VSP has been swept up in the indiscriminate cuts that were initiated recently at the CDC.”

“As we saw with the rampant spread of COVID-19 aboard cruise ships in the early days of the pandemic, these environments provide a prime opportunity for the transmission of disease. That is why it is absolutely critical that the CDC maintains the office and staff responsible for dealing with outbreaks on cruise ships. Severely reducing or eliminating the program that holds CDC’s subject matter expertise on this issue is short-sighted, and will ultimately lead to more illnesses,” continued Matsui and Blumenthal.

The full text of the letter can be found below.

 Dear Acting Director Monarez,

 We are extremely alarmed by reports that all full-time employees of the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) Vessel Sanitation Program (VSP) have been terminated.^[1] As news of the worst outbreak aboard a cruise ship this year is making headlines, it is incomprehensible that the officials responsible for protecting the health of the cruise-going public would be abruptly terminated.^[2]

 The VSP is a vital program that works to prevent, control, and publicize public health incidents aboard cruise ships.^[3] Through routine inspections, training of cruise ship personnel, and responses to and documentation of outbreaks aboard cruise ships, the VSP protects and promotes public health for cruisegoers everywhere.^[4] Among its most important functions are VSP’s maintenance of databases of outbreaks in its jurisdiction and inspection scores for cruise ships.^[5] This critical information helps the traveling public make informed decisions before they sail. It is therefore confounding that the VSP has been swept up in the indiscriminate cuts that were initiated recently at the CDC. According to reports, the CDC’s Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice, which housed the VSP, was decimated by staff losses.^[6] 

Elimination of the VSP is especially concerning now, when just last month a massive norovirus outbreak was reported on a luxury cruise liner travelling from England to the Caribbean.^[7] This outbreak aboard the Queen Mary 2 sickened 224 passengers and 17 crew members.^[8] And indeed, while this is the most widespread cruise ship outbreak so far this year, it is far from the first. According to the database maintained by the VSP, there have already been thirteen confirmed outbreaks aboard cruise ships in the first three months of 2025, sickening almost 1,400 people this year alone.^[9]

 As we saw with the rampant spread of COVID-19 aboard cruise ships in the early days of the pandemic, these environments provide a prime opportunity for the transmission of disease. That is why it is absolutely critical that the CDC maintains the office and staff responsible for dealing with outbreaks on cruise ships. Severely reducing or eliminating the program that holds CDC’s subject matter expertise on this issue is short-sighted, and will ultimately lead to more illnesses. 

It is therefore critical to understand CDC’s plan to continue its vital cruise ship monitoring efforts, in the absence of the VSP. To that end, we request answers to the following questions by May 6, 2025:

1. Please describe what plans, if any, the CDC has for eliminating the VSP.
   1. Please describe what metrics, if any, were used when evaluating the potential elimination of the VSP.
2. Please describe how the CDC intends to fulfill its statutory obligations to protect public health aboard cruise ships in the absence of the VSP.
3. How many employees working for the VSP have left since January 20, 2025? Please include employees who accepted a deferred resignation offer, had their employment terminated, or were placed on administrative leave.
4. Will CDC continue to update its inspection scores database so the travelling public can make informed decisions when planning a cruise?
5. Will CDC continue to update its database of outbreaks to ensure the public has access to critical public health information about illnesses on cruise ships?

 We appreciate your attention to this matter and look forward to your timely response. 

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led a group of 48 lawmakers in introducing a resolution to commemorate Earth Day 2025. The resolution celebrates recent historic environmental actions that have improved the health and wellbeing of our planet, while also reaffirming the work that still needs to be done to secure a livable future for the next generation. 

“Since the first declaration of Earth Day fifty-five years ago, we have made incredible progress towards protecting and restoring the natural world that we rely on and enjoy,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “However, in less than 100 days, President Trump has worked to erase decades of progress, dismantling climate science, weakening critical environmental agencies, and launching an all-out assault on clean air and clean water. This unprecedented assault on clean air and clean water is a stark reminder that Earth Day remains as important and revolutionary today as it was in 1970. This Earth Day, I am honored to join my colleagues in reaffirming and celebrating our shared responsibility to protect and preserve our planet for future generations, and I will never stop fighting to uphold these ideals at every level of government.”

“On Earth Day, communities across the country reaffirm their commitment to protecting the environment and our treasured public lands,” said Congressman Neguse. “And for me, as a proud Coloradan, the fight to ensure future generations can enjoy the outdoors the same way we have is deeply personal. Which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in continuing to charge forward in Congress with efforts that prioritize protecting our planet.” 

“Fifty-five years after the first Earth Day, our commitment to environmental protection must be stronger than ever,” said Congressman Cohen. “The Trump administration is once again doing the bidding of polluters—rolling back clean air and clean water standards, halting enforcement of environmental safeguards, and illegally freezing congressionally authorized funding meant to combat climate change, reduce pollution, and protect public health. Climate change is accelerating. Our air, water, and communities are under threat. Earth Day is not just a reminder of what’s at stake—it’s a call to rededicate ourselves to the fight for a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable planet for the next generation.”

“Our children deserve a future where clean air, safe water, and a stable climate are not luxuries, but guarantees,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “This Earth Day, we must reaffirm our commitment to climate action and environmental justice. We are not just responding to a crisis today — we are building a better, more just world that our children will inherit tomorrow.”

Congresswoman Matsui has long been a champion of strong environmental protections, life-saving pollution regulations, and bold climate action. In Congress, she has led efforts to strengthen vehicle and power plant pollution standards and supported energy efficiency programs that save American families money. As Co-Chair of the SEEC Lands, Waters, and Nature Task Force, Congresswoman Matsui also coordinates the coalition’s work to preserve the environment, protect public lands and critical habitat, and advance nature-based approaches to addressing climate change. 

Read the full resolution HERE.

                                               

# # #

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

Brawley, CA – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25) issued the following statement regarding to planned closure of the Spreckels Sugar Beet Facility in Brawley, California:

“I’m deeply disappointed by the news of the Spreckels Sugar Beet Facility’s planned closure in Brawley. I am heartbroken for the workers and their families, and I urge all stakeholders to come together once again and exhaust every option to save this facility and the communities it supports.” – Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz (CA-25)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Representatives Lauren Underwood (IL-14), Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), Dina Titus (NV-01), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (FL-20), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the Convenient Contraception Act, legislation that would improve access to contraceptive products, including over-the-counter contraceptives. The bill provides individuals covered by private health coverage with the option to receive a full year of contraception when their prescription is issued—an evidence-based policy that improves health outcomes—instead of the current three-month supply that is standard in many states.

“Expanding access to contraception is a critical part of protecting the health and lives of millions of women who have seen their access to care jeopardized by extreme Republicans’ attacks on reproductive freedom,” said Congresswoman Lauren Underwood. “Contraception is essential health care, and it must remain easily available nationwide.” 

“I will always fight to protect a woman’s right to make her own health care decisions. This bill would allow patients to pick up their full prescriptions at once, improving access to contraception by simply making it more convenient,” said Senator John Fetterman. “This is a commonsense solution, and I’m proud to lead this legislation to make contraception access more equitable.”

“I am proud to co-lead this bicameral legislation to ensure women can pick up a full year prescription of contraceptives at once, rather than just three months at a time,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherill. “As Donald Trump and Washington Republicans take aim at women’s health nationwide, it’s critically important that we continue to push forward in our fight to protect health care, preserve women’s rights and freedoms, and empower women to make their own decisions about their bodies.”

“I’m proud to join Sen. Fetterman and Rep. Underwood in the effort to make contraception more accessible, especially as the GOP continues to attack women’s freedoms from every angle,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “Southern Nevadans have made clear for decades that reproductive rights are a top priority, and this commonsense legislation would make a simple but critical fix to expand access and reduce racial disparities in care.”

“The ability to purchase contraception should be seamless and hassle-free, but that hasn’t been the case for far too many women,” said Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick. “The Convenient Contraception Act is a common-sense solution to the financial and logistical hurdles that stand in the way of comprehensive reproductive health care.”

Currently, many health coverage plans require a patient to pick up their contraception prescription multiple times during their prescription, creating an unnecessary burden and increasing the likelihood of gaps in protection. The Convenient Contraception Act requires insurers to permit individuals covered by private health coverage plans to pick up a full-year prescription supply at once and prohibits coverage plans from charging additional costs for a one-year supply.

Removing barriers to contraception can help reduce racial and ethnic disparities in access to care and decrease the likelihood of unintended pregnancies, which have been linked to adverse health effects, including maternal depression, intimate partner violence, low birth weight, and preterm birth.

The Convenient Contraception Act is endorsed by American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; Catholics for Choice; Contraceptive Access Initiative; Every Mother Counts; In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda; MomsRising; NARAL Pro-Choice America; National Council of Jewish Women; National Family Planning & Reproductive Health Association; National Partnership for Women & Families; National Women’s Law Center; Physicians for Reproductive Health; Planned Parenthood Federation of America; Power to Decide; and What to Expect Project.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, DC — Today, Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE) released the following statement after U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and India Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced Terms of Reference have been finalized for negotiation of a trade agreement.

“With one of the world’s fastest growing economies and largest populations, improving our trading and strategic partnership with India is vital to the economic and security needs of both our nations. A bilateral trade agreement which will grow cooperation and reduce barriers to trade is important, and I appreciate the work of President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Prime Minister Modi in achieving this step forward. As the Trump administration continues its work, I will continue to insist on science-based standards and expanded markets for American agriculture, energy, digital services, and other products in India and around the world.

“I would be remiss to not also recognize the tragedy in Kashmir which occurred today. My prayers are with the Indian people as they grieve those lost and as their authorities work to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

###