Washington, D.C.—Yesterday, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-TX-34) voted to pass a bipartisan, bicameral housing affordability package, the21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, to increase housing supply, cut red tape, and lower costs for American families. This comprehensive legislative package includes H.R. 6327,the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act, a bill the Congressman co-led with Congressmen Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Troy Downing (R-MT-02) and Mike Flood (R-NE-01) to streamline the construction of affordable housing on previously developed land. Currently, land with existing infrastructure is subject to duplicative National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) reviews, which adds significant costs and slows construction. The bill now heads to the President’s desk for his signature.
“South Texas is rapidly transforming, and we must meet the housing needs of our population,” said Congressman Gonzalez. “However, our region is facing an alarming labor shortage due to rising costs and a reckless ICE agency indiscriminately targeting construction sites and delaying the ability to build enough housing for families. There is still much work to be done to ensure that the workers who build our communities are protected at job sites and that every South Texan gets a fair shot at homeownership. We are making progress and I’m proud to have voted for this comprehensive housing affordability package, which includes a bipartisan bill I co-led to remove bureaucratic roadblocks and streamline the development of affordable housing in rural areas. I look forward to seeing it signed into law.”
On Monday, June 22, 2026, the U.S. Senate passed the21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, sending it back to the U.S. House of Representatives for full consideration on Tuesday, June 23, 2026. By including theRural Housing Regulatory Relief Act in this final legislative package, we will reduce unnecessary delays and costs, expand housing supply, and support homeownership, while preserving substantive environmental protections, including those that detect contaminants, toxins, or hazards. This bill only applies to land already served by existing infrastructure and explicitly excludes farmland, forests, and open space.
This news builds on Congressman Gonzalez’s efforts to create more affordable housing in South Texas. In February 2026, heintroduced the bipartisan Minimizing Outdated Restrictions that Exclude (MORE) Opportunities for Homeownership Act to amend the Federal Home Loan Bank Act and expand eligibility for federally insured credit unions to improve access to low-cost liquidity, collateralized advances, and affordable housing and community investment programs under the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) System. Modernizing this outdated distinction will strengthen community-based lenders, expand responsible mortgage lending capacity, and assist more families with achieving homeownership.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Frank Pallone Jr. (D-New Jersey) and Senator Cory Booker (D-New Jersey) lead 43 members in urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain existing vessel speed protections for North Atlantic right whales while continuing to develop and deploy new technologies that can help reduce vessel strike risk.
“We appreciate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) ongoing efforts to prioritize developing additional tools to reduce vessel strike risk, including exploring emerging communication, monitoring, and detection technologies, as outlined in the recent Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. We support continued investment in and testing of these innovative technologies, including public-private partnerships such as cooperative research. Expanding real-time awareness of marine mammals and navigation hazards, improving data integration, and strengthening compliance tools will be important components of a comprehensive, modern approach “to protecting North Atlantic right whales and improving mariner safety at sea,” wrote the members.
Their letter comes as NOAA seeks public comment on potential changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, including whether technology-based strike avoidance measures could supplement or replace existing seasonal speed restrictions.
“At the same time, speed reduction is currently the best practice for reducing vessel strike mortality. Seasonal speed restrictions of 10 knots or less in areas of high vessel strike risk remain the most effective and reliable measure available to reduce the risk of fatal collisions or injuries that contribute to reduced reproductive capability,” the members continued.
In the letter, the Democratic lawmakers argue that emerging technologies—including acoustic monitoring systems, Automatic Identification Systems (AIS), and real-time whale detection tools—can improve mariner awareness and help protect endangered whales, but should serve as complements to, not replacements for, the existing 10-knot vessel speed restrictions that have been in place since 2008.
Seasonal Management Areas require reduced speeds for vessels 65 feet or longer to reduce the likelihood and lethality of collisions with whales. The Mid-Atlantic North Atlantic right whale Seasonal Management Area protects whales and boaters off New Jersey’s coast, while Right Whale Slow Zones provide an additional layer of protection encouraging boaters to slow down in areas in which right whales have been visually or acoustically detected. The current Right Whale Slow Zone in effect southeast ofAtlantic City, highlights lawmakers’ point that “[d]etection and dissemination technologies should continue to be developed as additional tools in the conservation toolbox—capable of enhancing situational awareness, informing dynamic management, and improving compliance—but not as replacements for the baseline speed protections that are keeping the North Atlantic right whale from extinction and that we know work for mariners.” Protecting these critically endangered species requires a comprehensive, science-based approach.
We write to you today to express our strong support for the continued implementation and enforcement of the North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule (VSR) for vessels 65 feet and longer.
We appreciate the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA’s) ongoing efforts to prioritize developing additional tools to reduce vessel strike risk, including exploring emerging communication, monitoring, and detection technologies, as outlined in the recent Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking. We support continued investment in and testing of these innovative technologies, including public-private partnerships such as cooperative research. Expanding real-time awareness of marine mammals and navigation hazards, improving data integration, and strengthening compliance tools will be important components of a comprehensive, modern approach to protecting North Atlantic right whales and improving mariner safety at sea.
At the same time, speed reduction is currently the best practice for reducing vessel strike mortality. Seasonal speed restrictions of 10 knots or less in areas of high vessel strike risk remain the most effective and reliable measure available to reduce the risk of fatal collisions or injuries that contribute to reduced reproductive capability.[1]
A recent NOAA-commissioned analysis conducted by MITRE further underscores this point.[2]Many technologies highlighted in the report remain in early or intermediate stages of development. It is important that the systems reviewed demonstrate efficacy in operational environments capable of supporting real-time individual vessel strike avoidance. In order to ensure reliability, these systems must overcome limitations, including dependence on whale behavior and environmental conditions, as well as detection range constraints that can reduce reliability in real-world settings.
Widespread deployment of vessel-based detection systems requires time and investment to design, test, install, and maintain across diverse fleets operating in U.S. waters. There are several outstanding questions regarding who would bear these costs, how such systems would be standardized, and how compliance would be monitored and enforced. These implementation challenges are particularly complex in the context of international shipping, where vessels operating under foreign flags would be subject to additional legal, regulatory, and logistical considerations. Any proposal from NOAA to alter device carriage requirements for U.S. vessels must be coordinated with Congress and the U.S. Coast Guard and must include consultation with the military and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The VSR provides a clear, predictable, and operationally workable framework for effectively reducing the risk of vessel strikes. By establishing science-based seasonal management areas, the VSR allows operators of vessels 65 feet and longer to plan and incorporate speed adjustments into voyage planning. Maritime stakeholders have long emphasized that predictable, planned slowdowns are preferable for voyage planning rather than unplanned operational disruptions, and the structure of the rule reflects that reality.
Importantly, the rule also includes built-in safety provisions, allowing vessels to deviate from speed requirements as necessary to maintain safe maneuvering and to address medical emergencies. Economic analyses have found no meaningful impact on port activity or overall maritime commerce, similarly underscoring that the rule is both effective and practical to implement.
One novel technology that we hope NOAA will continue to support is the shore-to-ship Automated Information System (AIS). This new maritime technology supports mariner compliance with the VSR through real-time communication, helps mariners head off potential enforcement before it happens through enhanced awareness, and helps bend the learning curve on the rule’s requirements for both foreign and American vessel classes with lower rates of compliance. Shore-to-ship AIS does not require changes to carriage requirements, can be used for both conservation and safety-at-sea purposes, and its widespread use has already been approved by both the Coast Guard and the FCC.
Detection and dissemination technologies should continue to be developed as additional tools in the conservation toolbox—capable of enhancing situational awareness, informing dynamic management, and improving compliance—but not as replacements for the baseline speed protections that are keeping the North Atlantic right whale from extinction and that we know work for mariners.
Efforts to modernize whale protection strategies should build upon the scientifically proven effectiveness of speed reduction. We therefore respectfully urge NOAA to maintain the strength and integrity of the 2008 North Atlantic Right Whale Vessel Speed Rule, including the seasonal and dynamic management areas, as the agency continues to evaluate, research, and advance new technologies. We stand ready to work with NOAA to support a comprehensive, science-based approach that incorporates both established protections and emerging innovations to ensure the survival and recovery of the North Atlantic right whale.
1. P.B. Conn & G.K. Silber, Vessel speed restrictions reduce risk of collision-related mortality for North Atlantic right whales (D. P. C. Peters, 2013).↑
2. Casey Corrado Kirsch et al., Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) for North Atlantic Right Whale Detection and Vessel Strike Risk Reduction (NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service 2025).↑
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
Dingell Secures More Than $83 Million in Healthcare Funding for the University of Michigan
Washington, June 24, 2026
Today, U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she secured $83,461,342 in federal grant funding for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to support a wide range of research initiatives, including mental health, cancer, cardiovascular, biomedical training, and more. The funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was made possible by Congresswoman Dingell’s advocacy.
“These funds are a critical step in improving the health and well-being of Michigan communities,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “These grants will bolster the University of Michigan’s leadership in research and innovation. I am proud to have secured this money and will always work to deliver our state federal resources that lead to better treatments and patient outcomes.
Projects receiving funding include:
$3,538,234 for Aging Research
$495,972 for Alcohol Research Programs
$6,913,414 for Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research
$1,723,574 for Arthritis Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases Research
$92,259 for A22 – Nurse Anesthetist Traineeships
$8,600,345 for Biomedical Research and Research Training
$1,113,913 for Blood Diseases and Resources Research
$7,458,004 for Cancer Research
$6,475,828 for Cardiovascular Diseases Research
$3,004,264 for Child Health and Human Development Extramural Research
$4,804,098 for Diabetes and Kidney Diseases Extramural Research
$2,026,274 for Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health
$4,063,067 for Drug Use and Addiction Research Programs
$449,802 for D88 – Academic Administrative Units in General Pediatric and Public Health Den
$248,168 for Environmental Research
$3,646,017 for Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders
$1,316,200 for H80 – Health Center Program
$1,633,544 for Lung Diseases Research
$20,299,532 for Mental Health Research Grants
$802,256 for Minority Health and Health Disparities Research
$1,669,700 for Oral Diseases and Disorders Research
$585,322 for Research Infrastructure Programs
$467,147 for Research Related to Deafness and Communication Disorders
$1,421,363 for Trans-NIH Research Support
$283,000 for T77 – Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrics Training Program
$330,045 for Vision Research
A full list of projects receiving grant funding can be found HERE.
HHS is the largest grant-making agency in the United States. Most HHS grants are provided directly to states, territories, tribes, and educational and community organizations, then distributed to eligible individuals and organizations. For more information on HHS grants, click HERE.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)
U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) introduced a bill to improve the financial security of people with disabilities by updating and modernizing savings limits for Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts, helping individuals build financial security without risking access to critical benefits, which is important as individuals with disabilities and their families face exacerbated costs.
The Stephen Wira ABLE Act was inspired by a Michigan constituent after their family contacted Congresswoman Dingell’s office to share concerns that the outdated savings cap limits families’ ability to better prepare for their future.
“For too many families who have a loved one with a disability, saving for the future can mean worrying about jeopardizing federal benefits that are essential to daily life,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “ABLE accounts have helped individuals with disabilities achieve greater financial independence, but the savings limit has not kept pace with inflation. This legislation fixes that so people can save for their future and build greater financial security.”
“On behalf of ABLE-eligible individuals and their families, I would like to express our sincere appreciation for the diligent efforts of Debbie Dingell and her office in advocating for a segment of our society that depends on strong and effective representation. The establishment of the ABLE Program has provided individuals with disabilities greater opportunities to pursue financial independence while maintaining access to essential support and services,” said Mark Wira, father of Stephen Wira. “By permitting savings protections to be adjusted for inflation, Congress can help restore the original intent of the ABLE program—to ensure that qualified individuals with disabilities can build and preserve financial resources without jeopardizing their security. These improvements help safeguard the financial well-being of ABLE account holders and provide greater peace of mind to individuals and families who rely on the program. We are grateful for Congresswoman Dingell’s leadership and commitment to policies that promote dignity, opportunity, and economic security for Americans with disabilities.”
ABLE accounts allow individuals with disabilities and their families to save for disability-related expenses, including housing, transportation, healthcare, and other essential needs. Under current law, people who receive Supplemental Security Income (SSI) disability benefits can only save up to $100,000 in an ABLE account. If they save more than that, they risk losing their monthly benefit check. That threshold was established when ABLE accounts were created in 2014 and has never been adjusted for inflation.
Congresswoman Dingell’s legislation would increase the current cap from $100,000 to $150,000 and provide annual inflation adjustments moving forward.
By updating the ABLE account limit and taking inflation into account, the bill ensures that the program continues to reflect economic realities and supports long-term financial stability for people with disabilities and their families.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) took to the House floor to spotlight the ongoing public health emergency caused by the Lineage Logistics warehouse fire in Boyle Heights and called for accountability, environmental testing, and continued support for impacted communities.
Since the fire began, smoke and hazardous fumes have spread beyond Boyle Heights and into neighborhoods across Los Angeles, forcing residents to remain indoors and raising concerns about long-term health impacts
“Families in Boyle Heights and across Los Angeles are living through a public health emergency,” said Rep. Gomez. “They can’t go outside, they can’t open their windows, and they’re worried about the air they’re breathing. Our community deserves answers, accountability, and every resource necessary to recover from this disaster.”
During his remarks, Gomez highlighted the disproportionate environmental burdens often placed on working-class communities and communities of color and emphasized that emergency response efforts must extend beyond extinguishing the fire.
“Firefighters have worked around the clock to contain this fire, but the response cannot stop there,” Gomez said. “We need comprehensive air quality testing, soil testing, and ongoing health monitoring to understand the full impact on residents and workers.”
Rep. Gomez has been in contact with federal, state, and local officials regarding the fire and has urged the EPA and FEMA to stand ready to provide assistance if requested. He has also called for a full investigation into the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
“For too long, communities like Boyle Heights have been asked to live with the consequences of industrial pollution while corporations avoid accountability,” Gomez continued.
“I will keep pushing to ensure every affected family gets the answers, accountability, and resources they deserve.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08) issued the following statement after the House passed bipartisan housing legislation, sending the bill to the President’s desk. The bill includes Garamendi’s key provision, theHOME Investment Partnerships Reauthorization and Improvement Act, which will significantly increase the amount of federal funding available for affordable housing across the country:
“After years of work, we are one signature away from increasing access to affordable housing for hardworking Californians. Tonight, the House of Representatives passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, which will increase the nation’s housing supply and, in turn, help drive down the exorbitant cost of housing.
“Minimum-wage workers in California must work an average of 88 hours per week just to afford a modest one-bedroom rental at fair market rates. That is unacceptable. With House passage of this important legislation, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program will, for the first time since 1994, be modernized and brought into the 21st century. The program will provide states and local governments with the funding needed to construct and rehabilitate affordable rental housing, as well as expand homeownership opportunities for working families.
“I’d like to thank Representatives Waters and Hill, as well as Senators Scott and Warren, for working toward a suitable compromise. I’d also like to thank Senator Cortez Masto for introducing the HOME Act in the Senate and Representative Beatty for co-leading this bill with me in the House.”
HOME Background
TheHOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME)is the largest federal affordable housing block grant and HUD’s flagship affordable housing production program. Since 1990, HOME has helped state and local housing agencies address a wide variety of housing needs, from financing new construction and home repairs to providing down payment assistance and rental assistance.
Since 1992, the HOME program in California has:
The HOME program also provides additional funding to housing developments financed through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, helping serve more extremely low-income individuals, including seniors, veterans, people experiencing homelessness, and people with disabilities.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)
Today, Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) and Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04) introduced bipartisan legislationthat would ensure the federal government does not make decisions about the nutrition assistance programs Tribes rely on without their input. These unilateral decisions, opposed by Tribal leaders, previously left grocery shelves empty in tribal communities across the country.
“Last year’s food delivery failures made clear that Tribal Nations need a seat at the table when decisions are made about programs their communities rely on,” said Davids. “No family should have to wonder whether food will arrive on time because concerns raised by Tribal leaders were ignored. This bill helps ensure tribes are heard, strengthens accountability at USDA, and provides a clear plan to keep food flowing when supply chain disruptions occur.”
“I’m pleased to help introduce this bill that would ensure those relying on food assistance programs in Tribal communities are not impacted by federal government shortcomings,” said Representative Randy Feenstra (R-IA-04). “The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act makes an important fix to strengthen USDA’s response when disruptions occur and ensures they are working more closely with the communities they serve.”
In 2024, the U.S. Department of Agriculture shifted from using two vendors to a single national contractor to distribute food, which Tribal Nations and Indian Tribal Organizations warned could create serious risks for food delivery. Those concerns proved well-founded when tribal communities began experiencing delayed shipments, canceled deliveries, inventory shortages, and even expired food products. By the fall of 2024, some tribes reported bare shelves and significant food shortages, prompting USDA to acknowledge the problems and bring back a second contractor on an emergency basis.
The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act would address the major failures by:
Requiring USDA to include Tribal representatives in reviewing and awarding contracts under the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR).
FDPIR provides income-eligible households with food on Indian reservations. Many households participate in FDPIR as an alternative to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Directing USDA to designate an emergency contractor within 45 days of any supply chain disruption under FDPIR or the Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP).
CSFP is targeted at low-income elderly persons 60 years or older and distributes both food and administrative funds to participating states and Tribes.
Allowing USDA to provide direct payments to Tribes to purchase food themselves during an FDPIR disruption.
Encouraging states to conduct Tribal consultation before amending CSFP State Plans.
Directing USDA to support this work through cooperative agreements or technical assistance.
The bill is led in the Senate by Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tina Smith (D-MN), Adam Schiff (D-CA), John Hoeven (R-ND), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), and Michael Bennet (D-CO).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
June 24, 2026
New Democrat Coalition Housing, Infrastructure, & Transportation Working Group Chair Norma Torres (CA-35), Vice Chair for Policy Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) and Housing Task Force Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13) issued a statement after the House of Representatives voted to pass the Senate-amended version of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act.
This legislation is a crucial step towards addressing the affordable housing crisis and delivers on key objectives laid out in the New Democrat Coalition’s Housing Affordability Agenda, such as building more homes and getting them on the market faster, making it easier for families to buy or rent a home, and leveraging better housing data to surge resources where they are needed.
“Real change is still possible when we put forward commonsense ideas and work across the aisle for the American people. That is exactly what happened this week as the House and Senate overwhelmingly passed legislation that will make a major dent in our nation’s housing crisis.
“New Dems know that working families are struggling to keep a roof over their heads. That’s why we released our Housing Affordability Agenda, which laid out bold recommendations to drive down housing costs by quickly building more homes and surging resources where they are needed. We are proud of the New Dems who ensured these priorities are reflected in this final legislation by securing provisions included in 22 New Dem Member-led bills.
“The President must immediately sign this vital legislation into law so that families can finally receive some much-needed relief.”
New Dems has engaged with the House Financial Services Committee, our partners in the Senate, and outside stakeholders to ensure our Members’ priorities are reflected in housing legislation. This bipartisan agreement reflects provisions of numerous New Dem-sponsored or co-led bills, including:
H.R. 5990, Whole-Home Repairs Act, Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)
H.R. 2362, VA Home Loan Awareness Act, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)
H.R. 7504, Housing for America’s Middle Class Act, Rep. Josh Gottheimer (NJ-01)
H.R. 1640, HEIRS Act, Rep. Nikema Williams (GA-05)
H.R. 975, Credit Union Board Modernization Act, Rep. Juan Vargas (CA-52)
H.R. 3694, VALID Act of 2025, Rep. Brittany Pettersen (CO-07)
Other provisions added:
Sec. 301(d)(2) (Energy Efficiency Standards) – Page 10 of our 118th Congress Housing Action Plan called for streamlining standard setting on energy efficiency for manufactured homes.
Re-authorizing the PRICE Housing Program, which New Dems called to fund in annual appropriations before authorization lapsed.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 23, 2026 | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro202-225-6165
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after voting in favor ofthe 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
“Thanks to Bidenflation and far-Left overspending, housing costs in this country have soared over the years. At the same time, unnecessary red tape has limited our housing supply, allowing demand to outpace it,”said Congressman Cole.“I voted in favor of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act tonight to address these exact housing crises. This legislation will expand the housing supply of all types of homes, including single-family, multifamily, apartment complexes, and other factory-built housing. Additionally, it will reduce burdensome regulatory barriers to new home construction, modernize HUD programs, and allow banks to deploy funding more freely. At the end of the day, as the Congressman for Oklahomans in the Fourth District, I aim to serve as a representative for homeowners, renters, and my community. In supporting the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act tonight, I did just that, as this bill will lead to more affordable choices for Oklahomans and all Americans.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)
WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) and Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) reintroduced a resolution to formally recognize June as Portuguese National Heritage Month. This resolution highlights the countless contributions that millions of Portuguese Americans have made to our nation.
“Like many Portuguese Americans, my parents came to the United States from the Azores Islands of Portugal in pursuit of the American Dream and greater opportunities for their children,”said Congressman Valadao.“That same determination has inspired generations of Portuguese Americans to make lasting contributions to our communities here in the Central Valley and across the nation. As co-chair of the Congressional Portuguese Caucus, I’m honored to recognize the impact of the Portuguese American community by formally designating June as Portuguese National Heritage Month.”
“I’m honored to represent a community with deep Portuguese roots. As the grandson of Portuguese immigrants, I have seen firsthand the values of hard work, family, and perseverance that have shaped generations of Portuguese Americans,”said Rep. Costa. “As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we recognize the lasting contributions Portuguese Americans have made to the San Joaquin Valley and our nation, as well as the enduring friendship between the United States and Portugal.”