MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) today led Nevada’s Congressional Democratic Delegation in urging U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to administer FEMA’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grants which have been delayed under the Trump Administration.

“We are writing to urge the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to immediately publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI) grant program, as required under current law,” Rep. Titus and the Delegation said in a letter.  

Through the UASI program, FEMA provides communities critical assistance to help them prevent, respond to, and recover from acts of terrorism and other disasters. In Southern Nevada, UASI grants were used to purchase equipment deployed by fire and EMS personnel during the Harvest Festival mass shooting in Las Vegas on October 1, 2017.  

“Given the track record of these grants keeping our constituents safe, we are deeply concerned that the Department of Homeland Security has missed the statutory deadline to publish a NOFO for UASI, the first step in administering these grants,” the letter reads. “The safety and security of our communities are on the line.” 

Rep. Titus added “With all the high volume of events in my district, like the F1 Race, the Super Bowl, and various concerts, UASI funds can help our first responders be ready to meet any threats to these gatherings of people.” 

Background 

Section 303 of Division C of Public Law 118-47 requires FEMA to make applications for Federal Assistance grants, including UASI, available to eligible applicants no later than 60 days after the enactment of the law. According to that timeline, the grants should have been made available by May 16, 2025. Nevertheless, FEMA has yet to issue a notice of funding opportunity to make these grants available to the communities who rely on them. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Austin Scott (GA-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– U.S. Representative Austin Scott (GA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee (HASC), released the below statement upon the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) passing out of committee last night by a vote of 55-2. The NDAA sets Department of Defense (DoD) policies and authorizes funding levels for defense programs. 

“Georgia’s military installations play a key role in implementing President Donald Trump’s strategy of Peace Through Strength,” Rep. Scott said. “The FY26 NDAA strengthens the U.S. military and enhances the quality of life for our warfighters and their families. I am proud to have several amendments included that support our military in their mission of defending the United States.” 

“Congressman Austin Scott has been a steadfast voice for our servicemembers and their families as a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee. In the FY26 NDAA, his leadership ensures our warfighters—especially those serving at Robins and Moody Air Force Bases and the more than 20,000 reservists and guardsmen across Georgia—have the resources and support they need to defend our nation. Congressman Scott is always fighting to take care of the men and women who wear the uniform, said Chairman Mike Rogers (AL-03).

Rep. Scott had 18 amendments adopted during the HASC markup of the FY26 NDAA and another 10 were included in the base text of the bill. Some of the bill language provisions authored by Rep. Scott include: 

PROVIDING FOR CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS AT ROBINS:

The Chairman’s mark of the FY 26 NDAA contained two provisions that were championed by Rep. Scott throughout the drafting of this bill. 

First, Section 1102 of the bill would allow for retired members of the Armed Forces to be appointed to competitive or excepted service positions in the Department of Defense without a waiver. This will allow more retired military personnel to continue to serve our country as civilians at Robins Air Force Base.

Furthermore, included in the bill was an extension of the authority for depot working capital funds, like Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex (WR-ALC), to be used for unspecified minor military construction from September 30, 2025 to September 30, 2027. This will enable WR-ALC to continue to modernize their facilities. 

“Once again Congressman Scott delivers for Robins AFB! These two provisions are critical to ensure access to talent and to shore up aging infrastructure for the missions at Robins,” said Retired Brig Gen John Kubinec, President and CEO of the 21st Century Partnership. 

 

SUPPORTING MISSIONS AT MOODY:

Rep. Scott authored an amendment to delay the full retirement of the A-10C “Warthog” aircraft, several dozen of which are based at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA. The Scott amendment requires the Air Force to maintain a minimum of 96 A-10 aircraft in FY 26. The A-10C provides close air support and combat search-and-rescue capabilities unmatched by any other aircraft in the Air Force’s inventory.

“Prematurely retiring the A-10 would create a combat readiness gap in the timeline for replacement of A-10s with the F-35s. This premature retirement also impacts operational continuity of all the AIRMEN who will be involved in transitioning to the F-35. Congressman Austin Scott’s amendment minimizes operational risk and ensures a safe, timely and effective transition from the A-10 to the F-35 for AIRMEN and our Air Force,” Dr. Lucy R. Greene, PhD., Community Supporter and Emeritus Member of the Air Combat Command Commanders Group.

Also included was an amendment sponsored by Rep. Scott that would extend the intergovernmental support agreements (IGSA) pilot program until September 30, 2030. Moody AFB has benefitted greatly from partnership tools, particularly the IGSA. The agreements provide additional flexibility in some areas for the base and keeps funds local. Moreover, Moody enjoys tremendous support from the Lowndes County community and government to include three IGSAs signed between Moody and Lowndes County.

This important piece of legislation marked up by the House Armed Services Committee also included the following provisions by Rep. Scott:

• Established a pilot program to provide service personnel with a voluntary option to enroll in a low-premium supplemental insurance plan to help protect against uncovered out-of-pocket expenses resulting from a cancer diagnosis in the family.

• Renamed Fort Gordon in Augusta, GA as Fort Shughart Gordon. MSG Gary Gordon and SFC Randy Shughart were two Delta snipers that fought and died in the October 1993 Battle of Mogadishu. They were both posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor and their names deserved to be linked forever in history.

• Strengthened deterrence against Russia in the Baltics by requiring the Secretary of Defense to identify and mitigate obstacles to the deployment of HIMARS platforms and munitions among Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in crisis scenarios.

• Modified and extended annual reporting on military and security developments involving the Russian Federation to include Russia’s strategic goals, force posture, and military spending.

• Expanded training of partner and allied forces to include space domain awareness.

• Enhanced congressional oversight of the U.S. Africa Command.

Other provisions inserted by Rep. Scott included establishing minimum facility requirements for military working dogs, authorizing the Secretary of Defense to evacuate family pets of American citizens during emergency evacuations on a space available basis, and enhancing the preservation and commemoration of our nation’s naval heritage. 

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

Lawmakers emphasize importance of emergency broadcasting funding to keep Americans safe amid natural disasters and emergencies

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Rep. Salazar (FL-27), Rep. Escobar (TX-16), and a bipartisan delegation of 17 members to introduce the Dignity Act of 2025. This bill creates the Dignity Program, which offers a 7-year temporary legal status for undocumented immigrants who have been in the United States for 5 years or more (since before 2021) and can meet certain other requirements, including the ability to pass a criminal background check. Once completed, they will be granted legal status, allowing them to live and work in the United States.

Congressman Valadao was a co-sponsor of the Dignity Act in the 118th Congress.

“It’s past time for Congress to pass reasonable immigration reform that restores law and order while recognizing the contributions of undocumented immigrants who have built their lives here,” said Congressman Valadao. “In the Valley there are many people who have lived and worked peacefully for years, and they deserve a fair opportunity to earn legal status. The Dignity Act is a bipartisan step toward fixing our broken immigration system and delivering the reforms our communities need, and I’m proud to join my colleagues in support.”

“The Dignity Act of 2025 is a revolutionary bill that offers the solution to our immigration crisis: secure the border, stop illegal immigration, and provide an earned opportunity for long-term immigrants to stay here and work,” said Congresswoman Salazar. “No amnesty. No handouts. No citizenship. Just accountability and a path to stability for our economy and our future.”

“I have seen firsthand the devastating consequences of our broken immigration system, and as a member of Congress, I take seriously my obligation to propose a solution. Realistic, common-sense compromise is achievable, and is especially important given the urgency of this moment. I consider the Dignity Act of 2025 a critical first step to overhauling this broken system,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “Immigrants – especially those who have been in the United States for decades – make up a critical component of our communities and also of the American workforce and economy. The vast majority of immigrants are hard-working, law-abiding residents; and, most Americans recognize that it is in our country’s best interest to find bipartisan reforms. We can enact legislation that incorporates both humanity and security, and the Dignity Act of 2025 offers a balanced approach that restores dignity to people who have tried to navigate a broken system for far too long. The reintroduction of this legislation includes changes that reflect the challenges in today’s political environment. I’m proud of my bipartisan work with Representative Salazar, who has been a strong partner on this issue since December 2022. It is our hope that Congress seizes the opportunity to take an important step forward on this issue.”

Key provisions of the Dignity Act include:

• Grants legal status and a path to permanent residency for Dreamers. 
• Supports American industries—including agriculture—by addressing labor shortages.
• Takes steps toward legal immigration reform by updating visa categories to align with 21st century needs.
• Reduces backlogs for high-skilled Employment Based (EB) worker visas.

Read the full bill here.

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

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) attended a White House bill signing ceremony for S. 331, the Halt All Lethal Trafficking of (HALT) Fentanyl Act today. The bill is the companion bill to Rep. Griffith’s and Rep. Latta’s HALT Fentanyl bill, H.R. 27, which passed the House earlier this year. The HALT Fentanyl Act now becomes the law of the land.

Coverage of the ceremony can be viewed here.

On the legislation becoming law, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

“As a leading proponent of the HALT Fentanyl Act since Day One, I am glad to see this important bill become law!

“I appreciate my Congressional colleagues and President Trump for their relentless support of the HALT Fentanyl Act and their determination to combat the deadly fentanyl crisis. Today is an important step in taking action against lethal fentanyl-related substances and saving lives.

“I look forward to supporting future actions that strengthen our fight against the fentanyl crisis.”

BACKGROUND

The U.S. House of Representatives passed Rep. Griffith’s and Rep. Latta’s H.R. 27 on February 6, 2025. Their statement is available here.

In February, the Trump Administration issued a statement of Administration policy signaling their support of the HALT Fentanyl Act.

The Senate version, S. 331, passed the Senate on March 14, 2025, and the House on June 12, 2025.

While under consideration, Congressman Griffith managed floor debate on the HALT Fentanyl Act. His remarks can be seen here.

The HALT Fentanyl Act permanently classifies lethal fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I substances, closing a dangerous loophole traffickers are exploiting. The temporary Schedule I designation was set to expire in September 2025.

The bill also enables a streamlined registration process for medical research into fentanyl-related substances. 

The recently-passed reconciliation bill will help the Trump Administration in its efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis. The bill boosts funding for border and immigration enforcement agencies and activities related to combatting trafficking of drugs, including deadly fentanyl-related substances.

This July, Congressman Griffith was named Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta’s Bipartisan HALT Fentanyl Act Now Law of the Land

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — During the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) spoke in strong support of an amendment that would hold the Pentagon accountable for reviewing and certifying secure protocols for transmitting classified information.

The amendment comes in direct response to multiple reports that Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth shared classified operational details — including the timing and aircraft involved in U.S. airstrikes — over unsecured Signal chats with personal contacts, including his wife, brother, personal attorney, and a reporter. 

Click here to watch Rep. Sherrill’s full remarks.

Full remarks, as delivered:
“You know, I think it’s very concerning to hear from the other side of the aisle that there isn’t a focus on accountability, that there shouldn’t be any accountability. And I will tell you, especially when it comes to national security, that can never be the case. I learned early how to properly handle classified information when I was a teenager at the Naval Academy.

I used that knowledge again as I was a Russian policy officer in the Navy. So I’ll start with the obvious. If Secretary Hegseth believed a word he said about turning our military into a meritocracy, he would have sent in his resignation weeks ago. His decision to send strike plans in multiple unsecured Signal chats to his wife, to his brother, to his personal attorney and to a reporter could have killed American service members. And he did so while at least one Signal chat member was in the Kremlin.

Accountability matters, but I’m not surprised by his complete disregard for national security and for the safety of our men and women in uniform, because from his views on women in combat to his willingness to bend the knee to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, we knew exactly who Trump was picking.

That’s why I strongly opposed his nomination from the very beginning. But I will say that I am surprised by some of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle in this room, because every single individual in this room knows that the information shared on Signal was classified. Any member of the House Armed Services Committee knows without a doubt that the timing, schedule, and composition of operations are absolutely classified.

Every individual in this room knows that Hegseth’s use of Signal could have gotten American service members killed. So even if you haven’t served in uniform, you know how to handle classified information by virtue of sitting on this very committee. We host any hearing with classified information into secure rooms without our phones and without messaging apps like Signal, which is why I think it’s a dereliction of duty that the majority on this committee has refused to hold any sort of investigative hearing into Hegseth’s behavior.

Nearly every Republican in this room has sat back and watched, or even worse, defended Pete Hegseth’s behavior. So I encourage us to rectify that now, as we hold the Department of Defense accountable for protecting our national security and our service members’ lives, which is why I urge you to support this amendment and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) is pushing back against the Trump administration’s latest plan to gut the Department of Defense’s civilian workforce, warning that proposed civil service cuts would undermine national security and devastate North Jersey’s economy surrounding Picatinny Arsenal.

At today’s House Armed Services Committee markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Sherrill spoke in defense of the engineers, scientists, and support staff at Picatinny — calling them critical to U.S. military readiness and innovation. Sherrill underscored the national security risks of outsourcing their work to private contractors and weakening the institutional knowledge that makes facilities like Picatinny a cornerstone of American defense.

Click here to watch Rep. Sherrill’s full remarks.

Full remarks, as delivered:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. 

I speak today in strong support for my colleagues’ amendment that enshrines certain protections for our DoD civilians into law which I think is completely necessary given the work of this committee to try to manage and mitigate the complete incompetence coming from the Secretary of Defense and this administration when it comes to DoD related matters. 

The Trump administration’s slash to the civil service is not just an attack on government workers – it’s a direct threat to our national security and to the economic stability of communities like mine in New Jersey. 

At Picatinny Arsenal we have engineers, scientists, and support staff who are building the future of our national defense; developing the weapon systems our service members rely on to stay safe and to succeed. 

Picatinny is a vital hub for U.S. military innovation, especially in advanced munitions and armaments that keep our troops safe and mission ready. Cutting civil service roles here directly weakens our military’s ability to develop, test, and deliver cutting edge weaponry. 

Many of our civil servants have had years of specialized training in metallurgy, physics, and chemistry, some of it at the post-grad level at the Picatinny Armaments School that I’m working to get accredited and which has graduated 41 Masters Degree recipients and two PHDs. So in delivering these cuts we will harm and weaken our military’s ability to develop, test, and deliver  cutting edge weaponry not just today but for years to come. 

Slashing civil service positions risk shifting critical expertise to private contractors, driving up costs and reducing institutional knowledge within the government.  Maintaining a robust civil service at Picatinny ensures that the U.S. retains strategic control over weapons development and innovation. 

Cutting civil service jobs at Picatinny Arsenal is not just an attack on New Jersey workers, it’s an attack on our national security.  And as someone who has served our country, I know we need to strengthen not weaken our defense capabilities.  I will fight to protect every job and every innovation effort at Picatinny, because America’s security depends on it. 

Thank you and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — As Secretary Hegseth’s reckless mismanagement of the Pentagon continues to endanger American allies and undermine global stability, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) is standing in the breach. During the House Armed Services Committee’s markup of the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), Sherrill argued in support of an amendment that would prohibit the Department of Defense from halting aid to Ukraine without explicit approval from the President.

The amendment comes in response to two known incidents in which Secretary Hegseth froze critical military assistance to Ukraine — without any directive from President Trump or coordination with national security officials. These freezes, both later reversed by the White House, caused serious delays in weapons and support bound for Ukrainian forces defending against Russian aggression.

Click here to watch Sherrill’s full remarks.

Full remarks, as delivered:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I want to express my strong support for Rep. Moulton’s amendment today.

The Pentagon has frozen the delivery of aid to Ukraine three times since President Trump’s inauguration. Two of those times, Secretary Hegseth froze the aid without even gaining the approval of President Trump.

According to news reports, the first time Secretary Hegseth froze the aid was less than two weeks into the Trump administration when he apparently misunderstood President Trump’s directions in a National Security Council meeting and believed that DoD was supposed to halt all delivery of aid to Ukraine.

While this decision was reversed by the White House only a few days later, Secretary Hegseth’s poor decision cost millions of taxpayer dollars and delayed the delivery of vital aid.

Last month, I asked Secretary Hegseth about this early freeze in aid to Ukraine when he testified before this committee. Secretary Hegseth unsurprisingly refused to provide an actual response to my questions about why he ordered that first freeze to aid.

Then just a few weeks ago, we learned again that he ordered the freeze of vital military assistance to Ukraine. Again he apparently didn’t coordinate with the White House or State Department before making his order. And once again Secretary Hegseth’s decision was overruled by President Trump.

His poor judgement and mismanagement of the Pentagon has twice now led to the freeze of military assistance to Ukraine. This committee needs to make sure that these deadly pauses don’t happen again.

President Trump himself has apparently come around to the idea and announced that he would once again be sending significant defense equipment to Ukraine. After serving at CINCUSNAVEUR and as a Russian policy officer in the Navy, I know first hand how dangerous a threat Vladimir Putin is to Ukraine, Europe and the US. Ukrainian soldiers fighting and dying on the front lines against Russia don’t have time to wait for the delivery of artillery and munitions. They need that aid today.

Thank you and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

Washington, D.C. — Tonight, Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) introduced an amendment to the FY2026 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that would repeal the longstanding federal ban on abortion care in the military health system. The amendment strikes Section 1093 of Title X, which prohibits the Department of Defense from providing abortion services in most cases.

Following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, approximately 40% of women in uniform are now stationed in states that ban or severely restrict abortion access. Even the narrow “exceptions” permitted under current law have proven unworkable in practice, putting the lives and health of servicewomen at risk.

Thousands of active-duty servicewomen seek abortion care each year, according to a 2023 RAND report. Yet under current law, military doctors and facilities are prohibited from providing that care, even when it’s medically necessary for their health — forcing women to turn to informal support systems or delay treatment.

The amendment seeks to restore full reproductive health care access for all military personnel and their families, regardless of where they are stationed.

Click here to watch Sherrill’s full remarks.

Full remarks, as delivered:

“Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk. 

Today, across the country, women’s reproductive freedoms are under attack. After the Supreme Court’s MAGA majority overturned Roe, nineteen states now outright ban or severely restrict abortion access. 

My daughters now have less freedoms than I did while growing up. It is unthinkable to me that so many of our servicewomen are already serving with less rights than I had while in the Navy and being stationed in states like Texas or Florida without basic access to reproductive care. 

The fact that our military treatment facilities are only allowed to provide abortions in extremely limited circumstances is unacceptable and puts the health and wellbeing of our service members and their families at risk.

The decision to get an abortion is deeply personal and should be made by a woman and her doctor, not by politicians.

Our service members expect that they will receive the best possible health care. But our military healthcare providers can’t even give them an abortion when their health is at risk.

And we know that “exceptions” to abortion bans don’t work. We see horrific stories on the news about women who were denied care that they were SUPPOSED TO receive under an exception, often ending with the mother nearly losing her life.

We have more than 100,000 active-duty service members stationed in Texas. We’ve heard stories of a young woman, who died after experiencing a tragic miscarriage at 17-weeks. After being faced with this devastating loss, her doctors delayed medically necessary and lifesaving care because of the state’s abortion ban. She died as a result of an infection she developed because that care was delayed, leaving behind a young daughter.

In Georgia, another young woman experienced a rare complication with medication abortion where her body did not expel all of the fetal tissue. When she sought out medical care, she waited 20 hours before doctors were able to operate because of the state’s abortion ban. While she waited, her infection spread and her organs began to fail. Amber’s care came too late and she died as a result of the infection leaving behind a six year old son.

We ask our servicewomen to put their lives on the line for this country. They shouldn’t have to risk their lives giving birth. 

But the fact remains that a woman should never need a so-called exception to get an abortion and it shouldn’t need to be an emergency before she can get care. It should be available, a decision a woman gets to make over her own body and her own life. 

My amendment would repeal the draconian ban on abortions within the military health system, allowing our servicewomen and military families to have the freedom of access and the freedom to choose.  

Thank you and I yield back.”

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