Miller, Schneider Introduce the RESILIENCE Act of 2025

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressman Brad Schneider (D-IL) introduced the Repair Expenditures Support Infrastructure, Labor Investment, Energy Needs, and Creates Equity Act of 2025 (RESILIENCE Act of 2025). This bipartisan legislation will allow utilities to deduct repair costs from the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax and will ensure that these companies are treated fairly.

 

Click here for bill text.

 

“The Inflation Reduction Act picked winners and losers in energy production, and hard-working Americans suffered the most by having to pay more for everything, including utilities. The Resilience Act of 2025 would fix the unfair tax treatment of utilities under the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax by allowing regulated utilities to fully deduct repair expenditures. This bill would increase energy affordability for consumers and ensures tax fairness, ultimately creating a more resilient and reliable energy grid,” said Congresswoman Miller. 

 

“EEI’s member electric companies make significant investments each year to maintain the energy grid and to make it stronger and more secure,” said EEI Interim President and CEO Pat Vincent-Collawn. “The current process for taxing these critical investments under the Corporate Alternative Minimum Tax needlessly raises costs for electricity customers, threatens job creation, and undermines ongoing efforts to strengthen America’s energy security. We greatly appreciate Representatives Miller and Schneider’s leadership in developing this common-sense solution, which will help keep customer costs as low as possible while enhancing the reliability and resilience of the grid.”

 

“America’s natural gas utilities invest $37 billion each year in enhancing the safety and efficiency of natural gas distribution and transmission systems – these investments help us to deliver affordable, reliable, safe and cleaner natural gas and have lowered emissions from the natural gas distribution system by 70% since 1990. This bill from Reps. Miller and Schneider will help to remove an important barrier for this type of strategic investment in America’s energy future and will help our industry to maintain affordability for American families and businesses while fueling innovation and growth for a stronger future,”said George Lowe, AGA Vice President of Governmental Affairs and Public Policy. 

 

“Storms can wreak havoc on our facilities and repairs are necessary to ensure reliable service. AEP spends hundreds of millions of dollars each year on storm repairs and maintenance activities. Allowing these critical expenditures to be deducted from the minimum tax lowers rates for customers and frees up capital that we can invest in other areas of our operations,” said American Electric Power.

 

“We commend Representatives Miller and Schneider for introducing bipartisan legislation that will lower energy costs and create jobs for customers and communities nationwide, in addition to supporting grid upgrades to address growing energy demand for generations to come, putting regulated utilities on equal footing with non-regulated businesses. We look forward to engaging with Congress as this bill advances through the legislative process,” said Exelon.

 

“At FirstEnergy, we are committed to providing reliable electric service at the lowest price possible for the six million customers across our footprint, including 556,000 in West Virginia. Repair and maintenance are critical investments that ensure a reliable and resilient grid. We applaud U.S. Reps. Carol Miller and Brad Schneider’s bipartisan efforts to create a practical solution that allows electric companies to account for these expenses more efficiently, reducing base rates and strengthening our energy infrastructure,” said FirstEnergy. 

“Nearly 250,000 IBEW members work for regulated utilities, and a repair adjustment protects their jobs and allows them to help build a strong economy. Without the inclusion of a repair’s adjustment, IBEW members who currently perform repairs and maintenance work at our nation’s utilities could be in real danger of losing their mission-critical jobs,” said IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper.

Smucker Statement on Budget Resolution Vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

WASHINGTON—Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11), Vice Chair of the House Budget Committee and a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, released the following statement after voting in favor of the amended House Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res.14): 

“My top priority throughout the budget reconciliation process has been to deliver on the mandate that the American people delivered in November—extending tax relief for hardworking families and small businesses, securing our border, unleashing American energy dominance, and achieving peace through strength. Every Republican in the House believes that it is critical that we move forward on these priorities as quickly as possible. Today’s vote unlocks our ability to advance to the next stage of the process. I have also always made it clear that we must craft the final reconciliation bill in a fiscally responsible way, without saddling future generations of Americans with even more debt. 

I voted yes on the budget resolution after we received firm commitments from President Trump, Speaker Johnson, House Majority Leader Scalise, and Senate Majority Leader Thune that the final “One Big, Beautiful Bill” will reflect the same fiscally disciplined approach outlined in the House’s budget resolution.

The House resolution provides critical guardrails to ensure the reconciliation process leads to a final product that is fiscally responsible. I’m encouraged that the Senate is finally aligning with President Trump’s bold vision to put America back on a path toward a balanced budget.

Speaker Johnson has pledged that the final package will be deficit neutral. Leader Thune has agreed to adopt the House’s savings targets as targets in his chamber—a major shift from the watered-down savings of their initial amendments.

I also appreciate President Trump’s leadership and his commitment to pursuing additional savings as we craft the final bill. His engagement and assurances send a clear message: the age of reckless spending in Washington is coming to an end.

This is our moment to change America’s fiscal trajectory. A fiscally responsible budget reconciliation package advances the mandates the American people delivered to President Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress last November—and it’s also a necessary step to secure our nation’s economic future. There is more work ahead, and we are committed to seeing it through—because the future of our nation depends on it.” 

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Reps. Smucker, Van Duyne Introduce Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Lloyd Smucker (PA-16)

Legislation Grants States Flexibility to Use Federal Funds for Workforce Development Programs

Washington—Reps. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) and Beth Van Duyne (TX-24), members of the Ways and Means Committee, have introduced the introduction of the Reduce Duplication and Improve Access to Work Act. 

This legislation allows states to use a portion of their Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funding—up to the existing 30 percent cap—for workforce training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), expanding states’ flexibility to support employment and job readiness initiatives. Current law allows states to transfer up to 30 percent of their TANF funds to other funds supporting childcare or other social services programs. 

“The best pathway out of poverty is a great job. Providing states greater flexibility to invest federal funds in workforce development programs will create more opportunities for individuals to connect with a job and live their own American Dream,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker (PA-11).  

“Every person deserves the opportunity to build a better life for themselves and their families,” said Rep. Van Duyne (TX-24). “By allowing states to use TANF funds for workforce development programs, it will create new opportunities for individuals to secure good, stable jobs. This step will help empower Americans to reach their fullest potential and thrive in today’s workforce.”

Background:

  • TANF currently allows states to transfer up to 30% of funds to the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) and/or the Social Services Block Grant (SSBG).
  • This bill would add WIOA as an allowable program for states to transfer TANF funds, within the existing 30% cap.
  • States would be allowed to retain 15% of TANF funds transferred to WIOA for statewide workforce investment activities and the rest would be allocated to local workforce boards for service delivery through American Job Centers.
  • The transferred funds would only be permitted to be used for individuals with income below 200% of the federal poverty line.
  • As a condition for transferring the funds, states must inform the Secretary of HHS of their intention to transfer TANF funds to WIOA and describe how they will coordinate with the one-stop delivery system under WIOA in their state TANF program.

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Rep. Cleaver Votes Against Budget Resolution that Opens Door to Slashing Medicaid and SNAP, Exploding Deficit to Provide Another Handout to Wealthy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) voted against the Republican Budget Resolution that would open the door to slashing essential programs like Medicaid, SNAP, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) while exploding the federal deficit to finance another round of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans. 

“As Missouri families continue to struggle with the cost of living, as well as the economic chaos created by the president’s reckless tariff policies, my Republican colleagues are laser-focused on passing another round of tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest Americans—paid for by slashing essential programs that working class Americans depend on like Medicaid, SNAP, CHIP, and more,” said Congressman Cleaver. “This isn’t just fiscally irresponsible, it’s a dangerous proposal that will drive up the cost of everything from healthcare and housing to groceries and energy, all while exploding the federal deficit.”

According to estimates, the resolution would increase inflation, with the average American household’s purchasing power over the next five years falling by $300-$1,250. That does not include the average loss of $3,800 for the average American due to the president’s previously announced costly tariff plans.

The Treasury Department found that the extension of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would give an average annual tax cut of $32,118 for those in the top 1 percent and an average annual tax cut of $314,266 for those in the top 0.1 percent. Nearly half the net benefit of extending the law would go to the top 5 percent of households, or those making more than $450,000 per year.

Meanwhile, working families will only receive a few hundred dollars in tax cuts a year while losing access to programs like Medicaid, SNAP, school meals, and more, as well as facing higher costs due to inflationary effects. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO), the Republican budget previously passed by House Republicans would result in the largest Medicaid cuts in American history—which would be particularly devastating to Missouri.

In addition to the $880 billion in cuts to programs like Medicaid and CHIP, other devastating cuts to federal programs from the Republican budget include at least:

  • $330 billion in cuts targeting student loan programs, income driven repayment, Pell grants, and school meals;
  • $230 billion in cuts threatening nutrition assistance programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP);
  • $50 billion in cuts that endanger government employee retirement benefits and the federal workforce;
  • $10 billion in cuts to investments in local infrastructure made through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law;
  • $1 billion in cuts that jeopardize the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and federal financial regulators;
  • $1 billion in cuts to clean energy investments made under the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Rather than pushing an extreme, partisan budget resolution that will take from the most vulnerable in our community and give to those in the top five percent, Congress should be focused on expanding tax cuts for working and middle class families, investing in healthcare and housing programs that will lower costs for Missourians, and ensuring the wealthiest among us pay their fair share,” said Congressman Cleaver. “As Republicans continue to pursue more reckless trickle-down economics, I will do everything in my power to put a stop to these reverse Robin Hood policies.”

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Rep. Cleaver Votes Against GOP’s SAVE Act That Would Disenfranchise Voters

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) released the following statement ahead of vote on House Republican’s SAVE Act, troubling legislation that would impose harsh voter identification requirements, disenfranchising eligible voters.

“I am compelled to express my strong opposition to the proposed SAVE Act, which seeks to impose stringent voter identification requirements under the guise of election security. This legislation is yet another example of Republican efforts to disenfranchise eligible voters, specifically women, military members, and minorities.

“We have already fought these battles. As a nation, we stood up to the poll tax, literacy tests, and other discriminatory practices that sought to silence certain voices at the ballot box. The SAVE Act is a modern echo of those old tactics – dressed in new language, but rooted in the same intent: to make it harder for some Americans to vote. The claim that this legislation is necessary to combat noncitizen voting is not backed by any significant evidence. In fact, studies have shown that voter fraud, especially by noncitizens, is exceedingly rare. What is far more common – and far more dangerous – is the erosion of voting rights through laws like this one that chip away at access under the pretense of security.

“We should be making it easier, not harder, for Americans to vote. Our democracy is strongest when every eligible citizen has a fair and equal opportunity to make their voice heard. I stand in firm opposition to the SAVE Act and any similar legislation that seeks to impose unnecessary barriers to voting.”

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Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Congressman Biggs Issues Statement Following House Passage of Senate Budget Instruction

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H. Con. Res. 14, the U.S. Senate’s instructions for budget reconciliation, by a vote of 216-214. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

“Today, I voted to approve the budget instruction bill from the Senate. Though the Senate’s instructions called for spending reductions of only $4 billion over 10 years—while the House’s resolution called for reductions of $2 trillion—circumstances changed over the last 36 hours.

  1. The White House committed to spending reductions of $1.5 trillion, including the Inflation Reduction Act, fraud and waste in federal programs like Medicaid, illegal student loan forgiveness, and numerous other programs.
  2. Senate Majority Leader Thune also committed to accept the framework of the House’s budget instruction bill.
  3. Speaker Johnson has reiterated that he will not bring a bill to the Floor that does not conform to the House’s framework—this means any proposed budget must contain spending cuts of at least $1.5 trillion, must pay for new tax relief programs, and must not increase the deficit or our national debt.

These firm commitments from House and Senate Leadership and the White House will provide the chance for an historic reduction in federal spending and the size of the federal government.”

Pelosi, Congressional Democrats Fight Back Against Trump’s Attacks on Independent Worker Protection Agencies

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. — This week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined House and Senate Democratic Leadership in filing an amicus brief opposing President Donald Trump’s unlawful attempts to fire members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB). The individuals cited in this matter were duly appointed, congressionally confirmed board members at independent federal agencies. Illegal attempts to terminate them threaten the integrity of these institutions and their ability to protect American workers and uphold workplace democracy.
 
The NLRB and MSPB play a critical role in protecting workers, both in public service and the private sector, in their right to seek better working conditions and in safeguarding a non-political, merit-based federal workforce.
 
The brief was led by House Ranking Members Jamie Raskin, Gerry Connolly, and Bobby Scott, alongside House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse, as well as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senators Elizabeth Warren and Cory Booker – and was joined by 253 Congressional Democrats. 
 
The amici curiae file their argument in the cases involving the attempted unlawful firings of Gwynne Wilcox, a member of the NLRB and Cathy Harris, a member of the MSPB. 

 
The full brief is available HERE. 

Pelosi Joins House Democrats in Introducing Bill to Raise the Minimum Wage

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. — This week, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined House Democrats in introducing the Raise the Wage Act of 2025.  The Raise the Wage Act, led by House Committee on Education and the Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott, would gradually raise the minimum wage to $17 by 2030 and give roughly 22 million Americans a long-overdue raise.

After more than fifteen years with no increase in the federal minimum wage—the longest period in U.S. history—millions of our nation’s workers are working full-time jobs but are still struggling to make ends meet.  The Raise the Wage Act is good for workers, good for business and good for the economy.  When we put money in the pockets of workers, they will spend that money at local businesses.

“With the introduction of the Raise the Wage Act, Democrats honor the bedrock promise that, in America, hard work deserves fair pay,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said.  “Raising the federal minimum wage would make a meaningful difference in the lives of millions of Americans — bringing us one step closer to ensuring every worker’s dignity and contributions are honored with a fair paycheck.”

San Francisco proudly leads the nation with a higher local minimum wage — proof that raising wages strengthens communities without slowing economic growth.

“The last time a minimum wage increase was passed by both chambers and signed into law was under my initial tenure as Speaker of the House,” Speaker Emerita Pelosi said. “We’ve fought for this before, and we’ll keep fighting until fair pay is the law of the land.”

As Speaker, Pelosi led House Democrats in passing legislation to raise the minimum wage to $15/hour in the 116th and 117th Congresses but Senate Republicans blocked the bill both times.

The Raise the Wage Act of 2025 would:

  • Gradually raise the federal minimum wage from $7.25 to $17 by 2030.
  • Index future increases in the federal minimum wage to median wage growth to ensure the value of minimum wage does not once again erode over time.
  • Guarantee tipped workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the subminimum wage for tipped workers, which will ensure decent, consistent pay without eliminating tips.
  • Guarantee teen workers are paid at least the full federal minimum wage by phasing out the rarely used subminimum wage for youth workers.
  • End subminimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities to provide opportunities for workers with disabilities to be competitively employed and participate more fully in their communities.

To read the bill text for the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here

To read the fact sheet on the Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here.

To read the section-by-section Raise the Wage Act of 2025, click here.

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FACT SHEET: Republican Middle Class Betrayal in San Francisco

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

From the Speaker Emerita’s Press Office:

Today, House Republicans passed a budget that betrays the middle class with the largest cuts to Medicaid and SNAP in American history.  

Republicans are taking away health care, increasing the cost of essentials like food and housing, and decimating services working families count on – all to pay for $7 trillion giveaways to Donald Trump’s billionaire donors, big corporations and the ultra-rich.

Below is a fact sheet prepared by the Office of Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and the Democratic Staff of the House Committee on the Budget:

This is what Republican budget plans would mean for San Francisco:

  • $7 trillion in giveaways to billionaires and big corporations
  • $314,266 in average annual tax cuts for the richest 0.1 percent

Meanwhile, middle class families would be left holding the bag.

Ripping Away Health Care

The Affordable Care Act

Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, tens of millions of Americans can afford high-quality health care. House Democrats built on the Affordable Care Act, delivering lower prices and expanding coverage.

Under the Republican budget plan, the 32,000 people who receive coverage under the Affordable Care Act in San Francisco would see their average premium go up by $3,070 per year — a 112% increase.

Many families would face even steeper consequences. A 60-year-old couple with a household income of $85,000 in San Francisco would see their health insurance costs increase by $22,193 per year — a 307% increase in premiums.

Medicaid

Nearly 80 million Americans receive health care through Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program, which provide critical care throughout all stages of life. Medicaid covers everything from childbirth to nursing home care and everything in between.

In San Francisco, the 162,583 people on Medicaid (also known in California as Medi-Cal) are at risk of losing their health care under Republican budget plans.

This includes 33,336 children under the age of 19 and 44,000 seniors over 65 in San Francisco.

Raising the Cost of Living

Food Assistance

With many American families struggling to put food on the table, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program provides critical support for over 40 million Americans including children, seniors, veterans, and working parents.

Extreme Republican budget plans threaten the 211,000 people in San Francisco who count on SNAP to put food on the table.

School Lunches

Every year, more than 23 million children receive healthy school meals thanks to the Community Eligibility Provision.

Across California, the Republican budget threatens 2,452,931 children who rely on free school lunches.

If Republicans are successful, their extreme budget will make it even harder for these children to get the meals they need to grow and learn.

Pell Grants

About one in three undergraduate students receive Pell grants, which have helped millions of students afford the cost of a college education. These investments in future generations help grow our economy and our middle class.

The Republican budget would jeopardize the futures of 19,382 students in San Francisco who use Pell grants to help afford their education.

And that’s only the beginning. Republicans are targeting even more critical services to fund their tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations.

The Trump Administration is already undermining our nation’s economy by threatening essential public servants with reckless layoffs. In San Francisco alone, the federal government employs 7,602 people.

Learn more about how the Republican budget betrays the middle class here.

Ways and Means Democrats introduce bill to end tariff chaos, reclaim Congress’s trade authority

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.), along with all Ways and Means Committee Democrats, today introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill to end the constant chaos created by President Trump’s trade wars and reclaim Congress’s authority over tariffs.

Video of today’s bill introduction press conference is available HERE.

“President Trump’s reckless abuse of tariffs has sparked nothing but chaos,” said Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Sánchez. “American families have been anxiously bracing for rising costs and small businesses are worried they won’t survive the economic strain – all while the president flip-flops on tariffs at a whim, doing backroom deals and keeping negotiations out of the public eye. It’s time to end this madness. Congress must step in and take the trade keys away from our rogue president and protect the American people.”

“Over the years, Congress has entrusted more and more authority over trade to the Executive Branch, and recent events have made it clear we must reclaim that authority,” said Ranking Member Richard Neal (D-Mass.). “This president is willing to call anything an emergency to justify his every chaotic whim. The American people deserve better—they deserve stability and forethought. That’s why I’m proud to support Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Sánchez’s legislation that will deliver just that.”

The Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act would:

  • Turn off the global tariffs imposed on April 2: The bill would permanently turn off the new baseline tariffs of 10 percent for all countries as well as the massive increases in tariffs for 60 trading partners, such as Europe, Israel, Japan, South Korea and Kenya. This would return most rates to the levels they were before the president’s tariff spree.
     
  • Turn off the tariffs imposed by executive order for Mexico and Canada: The president should not be able to use congressional trade authorities to extort our closest allies. If there are trade issues with those two countries, then there is a process in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that President Trump negotiated and Congress authorized.
     
  • Require congressional approval for all new tariffs: The Constitution gives Congress the authority over trade. Getting a vote on tariff actions should not be held hostage to political whim; votes would be treated as privileged measures that ensures that the American people get to have their say. Apolitical tariff actions – like trade remedies, safeguards and trade agreement dispute settlement – are already insulated from partisan abuse and would not require a congressional vote under the bill.

The bill is cosponsored by Representatives Richard Neal (D-Mass.), Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Danny Davis (D-Ill.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), Don Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.), Stacey Plaskett (D-Virgin Islands), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.) and Adam Gray (D-Calif.).

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