MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert voted with a majority (218 to 214) of the House of Representatives to pass historic reconciliation and tax legislation. The bill prevents the largest tax increase in history, as well as provides critical resources for our military and border security. 

“I voted for this bill to provide historic tax relief to Riverside County families and allow them to keep more of the money they earned,” said Rep. Calvert. “This bill protects the average taxpayer from a looming 22% tax increase. It also creates new tax benefits for American workers, including no tax on tips, no tax on overtime, and an expanded child tax credit. To further help taxpayers, the bill includes a new tax deduction for seniors as well as an expanded state and local tax (SALT) deduction. At the end of the day, my vote for this bill fulfills my commitment to 41^st District constituents to lower their taxes and help put more money in their pocket.”

The bill includes the following tax relief provisions to help American taxpayers:

• Prevents a $4 trillion tax increase on Americans
• No tax on tips
• No tax on overtime
• Expanded Child Tax Credit
• New tax deduction for seniors
• Expanded state and local tax (SALT) deduction

“The bill includes vital national security funding that will ensure America has the resources necessary to defend our shores and sky from adversaries. Combined with our regular defense appropriations, these funds will help modernize our military and leverage our country’s innovation edge. The bill also secures our border by completing the border wall and provides funding to stop the importation of deadly drugs into our country.”

The bill includes the following national security and border security provisions:

• Funds the Golden Dome missile defense system to confront 2lst-century threats.
• Delivers the largest Coast Guard upgrade since WWII – stopping fentanyl and criminal cartels by sea.
• Finishes Phase Two of the border wall.

“I know how important healthcare is to American families. That’s why I have worked with my colleagues to protect and strengthen Medicare and Medicaid. Let me be clear – the bill does NOT cut Medicare or Medicaid benefits for our seniors, the disabled, children or parents with dependents. Our bill does establish a new work requirement for able-bodied working-age adults without children. This work requirement applies to healthy working-age adults without children and conditions benefit eligibility to people who work, volunteer, or attend college/vocational training for at least 20 hours a week. I believe this is a reasonable reform to Medicaid because it strengthens the program for the disabled, children, parents, and seniors the program was designed to help. It also protects taxpayers. I don’t believe it’s fair to ask a taxpayer who works 40 hours a week to support their family to have their tax dollars go towards providing Medicaid benefits for healthy working-age adults without children who refuse to work.”

The bill protects and strengthens Medicaid for those who rely on it by:

• Eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse.
• Blocking illegal immigrants from receiving benefits.
• Enforcing work requirements.
• Protecting Medicaid for the truly vulnerable.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) voted along with a majority (218 to 206) of the House of Representatives to pass the Fiscal Year 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.

“It is fitting that the first appropriations bill to come to the House floor this year is one that fulfills one of our highest priorities – honoring our commitments to those who have served or are currently serving in our military,” said Rep. Calvert. “This bill delivers on our promises by fully funding veterans’ health care programs, and fully funding Veterans’ benefits and VA programs. The bill also addresses critical infrastructure needs for our men and women in uniform. We must continue to prioritize critical funding for our veterans and troops.”

Bill Highlights (Provided by the House Appropriations Committee)

Champions our veterans by:

• Fully funding veterans’ health care programs.
• Fully funding veterans’ benefits and VA programs.
• Supporting President Trump’s efforts to combat veteran homelessness by investing in the new Bridging Rental Assistance for Veteran Empowerment program.
• Maintaining funding levels for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans.

Supports our troops and military families:

• Provides $18 billion for the Department of Defense (DoD) military construction and family
• housing, which is $480 million above the FY25 enacted level.
• $75 million above the enacted level for planning and design of future barracks to address
• barrack deficiencies identified by the Government Accountability Office.
• $2 billion for Military Family Housing.
• $75 million above the enacted level for child development centers to improve the
• quality of life of military families.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) announced and congratulated the 2025 Service Academy Appointments from the 41st Congressional District. As a Member of Congress, Rep. Calvert has the privilege of nominating a select group of highly qualified young men and women for admission to the United States Service Academies – Army, Navy, and Air Force. These nominations are based on a rigorous selection process that considers academic achievements, leadership potential, and commitment to service.

“I want to congratulate the outstanding students from the 41^st Congressional District who have been appointed to attend our service academies,” said Rep. Calvert. “Nominating extraordinary students from our region to attend the academies is one of the highest honors I’m afforded as a U.S. Representative. In addition to the students, I want to thank their families, friends, teachers, and everyone who supported them. Our volunteer military is shaped by selfless citizens stepping forward to serve, and I’m humbled by the leadership demonstrated by these students at such a young age.”

The following is a list of the candidates nominated by Rep. Calvert who have also received and accepted an Offer of Appointment to our nation’s service academies, and will be part of the Class of 2029 entering in June 2025:

Air Force Academy:

• Alexander Apotrosoaei – John F. Kennedy High School
• Aidan Forehand – Xavier College Preparatory (Class of 2024), Air Force Preparatory School
• Daniel Frumusanu – Norco High School
• Cade Paterson – Centennial High School

United States Naval Academy: 

• Carlos Barrientos – Santiago High School (Class of 2024), University of California San Diego
• Nathanael Burns – Murrieta Mesa High School (Class of 2024), Northwestern Preparatory School
• Soren Harris-Pham – John W. North High School
• Makayla Hudson – Arlington High School (Class of 2024), Naval Academy Preparatory School 

Military Academy at West Point: 

• Nathaniel De La Cruz  – Fountain Valley High School
• Brooke Desteuben – Norco High School (Class of 2024), Military Preparatory School
• David Madera – Norco High School 

Each appointee to the Armed Service Academies will receive an education valued in excess of $400,000. Rep. Calvert’s appointments to the Armed Service Academies are awarded on a strictly competitive basis through his Congressional Nominations Selection Committee.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, joined thousands of residents in Torrance to celebrate the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation’s 30^th Anniversary. 

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Congresswoman Maxine Waters celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) at the annual TOCApalooza. This family-friendly event was hosted at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center and featured live entertainment, art exhibitions, and art vendors reflecting the greater Torrance community. 

Since opening its doors, the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) has enriched the lives of those within the City of Torrance and surrounding communities by presenting relevant, accessible, and quality artistic events and performances of all genres. The foundation bridges cultural divides while inspiring young people and supporting economic development.

“I’m so proud to have the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation (TOCA) and the annual TOCApalooza festival here in my District”, said Congresswoman Waters. “For 30 years, the foundation has served Torrance and the South Bay with meaningful experiences and dedicated itself to advancing artistic expression in all forms. I wish TOCA continued success inspiring creativity, community, and artistic vision for future generations.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, delivered a keynote speech at the Consolidated Board of Realtists’ Annual Home Ownership Made Easy (H.O.M.E.) Fair.

On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Congresswoman Maxine Waters attended the Consolidated Board of Realtists’ Annual H.O.M.E. Fair, which was presented in collaboration with the West Angeles Community Development Corporation. Each year, this annual resource fair connects hundreds of people with home ownership resources. Congresswoman Waters works closely with the Consolidated Board of Realtists to seek their input and concerns on what’s happening in the real estate market and provides resources to assist Realtists’ ability to promote home ownership and related services. 

“I commend the Consolidated Board of Realtists’ continued leadership in championing the economic advancement of African Americans throughout Southern California through the promotion of homeownership as a pathway to build generational wealth,” said Congresswoman Waters. 

The Consolidated Board of Realtists formed its roots in 1949, when a group of young, dynamic African-American real estate brokers gathered to discuss the inequitable and prejudicial treatment of brokers in the Los Angeles area. As the membership of the board grew, its focus as a proponent of fair treatment of African-American brokers and agents in the real estate industry and equal housing opportunities for minorities expanded.  In the 1970s, the Consolidated Board of Realtists became a catalyst for legislative actions against the redlining practices of the lending and insurance industries.  As an affiliate of the California Association of Real Estate Brokers (CAREB) and the National Association of Real Estate Brokers (NAREB), the Consolidated Board of Realtists remains an advocate for social and economic parity for minority real estate industry professionals and community members.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Los Angeles, CA – On January 21, 2025, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, joined the Watts Empowerment Center for the groundbreaking of the Watts Empowerment Film and Music Studio at Imperial Courts public housing development in Watts. 

The Watts Empowerment Center, located in the heart of Imperial Courts’ public housing site, is a 12,900 sq ft facility committed to the children, youth, and families in the community. The new Film and Music Studio will add 2,000 sq ft and provide the young people with an opportunity to extend their creativity, develop their talents, and realize success as artists, with the help of top industry and business professionals in the music and film industry.

“I deeply appreciate the transformative personal enrichment and job training opportunities this facility will provide for public housing residents,” said Congresswoman Waters. 

The new Film and Music Studio will feature a large production area with a green screen for filming and four separate sound booths for music production and recording. HACLA expects to initiate construction later this summer and open the studio to the community by the fall of 2026. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Los Angeles, CA – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, issued the following statement on Trump’s response to attacks by Israel and Iran:

“I believe Trump’s attack on Iran, hitting three reported nuclear targets, is tantamount to a declaration of war. The President must be confronted by Members of Congress to be reminded that the President must come before Congress to seek approval before a declaration of war.

“This action by the President is typical of a president out of control. The United States at one time had an agreement with Iran, and that agreement was monitored closely. But Trump withdrew from that agreement when he took office.

“Trump is out of control and does not contribute to an establishment of peace. It was my understanding that Trump would give two weeks’ consideration to his response to Israel’s attack on Iran, and Iran’s attack on Israel, and he has not done so.

“This president must be stopped. I and Members of Congress must confront this issue as soon as we return to Congress. We need peaceful negotiations, not another war”.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Maxine Waters (43rd District of California)

Los Angeles, CA—Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-43), Ranking Member of the Financial Services Committee, led thousands of peaceful protestors across the Los Angeles area on Saturday, for No Kings Day. 

In the city of Hawthorne – the Congresswoman’s District – near Elon Musk’s SpaceX headquarters, Congresswoman Waters, along with thousands of young people, voiced their fear of a cruel and dangerous president and co-president, Trump and Musk. “Nobody voted for Elon, he was not elected, and no one wants him destroying our institutions”, said the Congresswoman. (See video here.) 

The Congresswoman then joined an energetic crowd of thousands of peaceful protestors at Grant Park in Downtown Los Angeles to deliver a clear message to Trump: “This country has No Kings and no dictators!, she said. “And I’ll continue fighting every day for the American people. (See video here).

Later, the Congresswoman joined hundreds of protestors on the streets of Playa Vista to denounce Trump, celebrating his birthday with a large-scale military parade at the expense of the armed services. “This country rejects Trump’s would-be dictatorship”, said the Congresswoman. “This country has No Kings! The President should celebrate American greatness by ensuring all Americans are housed and fed, not by cutting the social safety net and throwing himself a birthday party with taxpayer money.” (See images here.)

These peaceful demonstrations were the latest in a series of efforts led by the Congresswoman to oppose the policies of the Trump administration. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), U.S. Senator Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) wrote to Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Billy Long regarding concerns with the agency’s deficient procedures for expedited processing of federal tax returns from taxpayers facing financial challenges. In their letter, they point to accounts from constituents showing that the IRS consistently fails to process the returns of constituents who have shown imminent risk of dire financial consequences in a timely manner – impeding taxpayers’ ability to avoid those consequences. The lawmakers’ impacted constituents include individual taxpayers as well as business owners – many of whom have been waiting several years for refunds they are owed. Noting that the Trump Administration’s mass layoffs of federal employees at the IRS have likely contributed to these processing delays, the lawmakers ask Commissioner Long to coordinate with the Taxpayer Advocate Service on solutions to handle financial hardship cases more efficiently to prevent taxpayers from facing avoidable financial harm. 

“We are writing on behalf of our constituents regarding expedited processing for emergency cases involving severe financial hardship, especially amidst recently-exacerbated IRS staffing challenges. Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will only accept expedite requests from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) if the taxpayer can provide documentation of an immediate consequence,” the lawmakers began. “By the time a constituent has the required hardship documentation to expedite their case, they typically have 30 days at most before they and their families face serious distress, including homelessness.”

They go on to write, “once TAS receives the required financial hardship documentation and makes a recommendation to the IRS to expedite, there is currently no mechanism to ensure that the taxpayer’s case is handled with urgency. For example, in a recent Maryland case, a single mother of three submitted hardship documentation to TAS in September 2024, but she did not receive her federal tax refund until February 2025. As you might imagine, our constituents in these particular cases do not have several months to wait for a check that is owed to them by the federal government.”

Regarding the challenges that Maryland businesses have faced, they added, “we continue to hear from Maryland businesses which filed claims up to three years ago and are still awaiting a refund for expenses promised by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Unfortunately, businesses that submitted proof of hardship, such as payroll documentation showing an inability to compensate employees or satisfy rent, have not seen quicker results that those without an expedited processing request.”

The lawmakers go on to urge Commissioner Long to coordinate with TAS to review and reform the current procedures – recommending that they work to ease hardship documentation requirements, streamline interdepartmental case transitions, and accelerate processing for those in urgent need.

A copy of the letter is available here and below.

Hon. Billy Long
Commissioner
U.S. Internal Revenue Service
1111 Constitution Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20224

July 10, 2025

Dear Commissioner Long:

We are writing on behalf of our constituents regarding expedited processing for emergency cases involving severe financial hardship, especially amidst recently-exacerbated IRS staffing challenges.

Currently, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will only accept expedite requests from the Taxpayer Advocate Service (TAS) if the taxpayer can provide documentation of an immediate consequence. Acceptable documentation typically includes a notice of foreclosure, eviction, utility shutoff, or car repossession. TAS advises that the IRS will not accept past-due bills, nor will it accept notices of intent to foreclose or evict. By the time a constituent has the required hardship documentation to expedite their case, they typically have 30 days at most before they and their families face serious distress, including homelessness.

Once TAS receives the required financial hardship documentation and makes a recommendation to the IRS to expedite, there is currently no mechanism to ensure that the taxpayer’s case is handled with urgency. For example, in a recent Maryland case, a single mother of three submitted hardship documentation to TAS in September 2024, but she did not receive her federal tax refund until February 2025. As you might imagine, our constituents in these particular cases do not have several months to wait for a check that is owed to them by the federal government. TAS explains that Case Advocates can ask the IRS to expedite a return for pipeline processing, but it cannot expedite the systemic processing of the return, which is generally 4-6 weeks. Even if a federal tax refund was issued in 4-6 weeks, which is sooner than many Marylanders in this situation have experienced, the refund would not reach the taxpayer soon enough to prevent the immediate consequence that the IRS requires before expediting the case in the first place.

Expedited processing for businesses is even more nebulous. We continue to hear from Maryland businesses which filed claims up to three years ago and are still awaiting a refund for expenses promised by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Unfortunately, businesses that submitted proof of hardship, such as payroll documentation showing an inability to compensate employees or satisfy rent, have not seen quicker results that those without an expedited processing request.

We understand that recent IRS staffing challenges caused by the Trump Administration have made addressing emergency processing, among other issues, even more difficult. We would appreciate your working with National Taxpayer Advocate Erin M. Collins to review this process and advise how it can be improved. This should include the possibility of relaxing hardship documentation requirements and accelerating systemic processing for financial hardship cases. For example, it may help TAS to advocate for struggling taxpayers if it didn’t need make a new expedite request every time a case moves between IRS departments. When it comes to protecting the most vulnerable among us, Americans deserve a tax system free from red tape.

Thank you for your consideration. We look forward to a response by July 31, 2025.

Sincerely,

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) joined Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD-03), Vice Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee and Co-Chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, to introduce the bipartisan Mitigation Action and Watermen Support (MAWS) Act alongside Representatives Rob Wittman (R-VA-01) and Jen Kiggans (R-VA-02). 

The bill takes aim at one of the greatest predators threatening the ecology and economy of the Chesapeake Bay: the invasive blue catfish. The MAWS Act will establish a pilot program within the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office to facilitate a new market for Chesapeake Bay blue catfish in the pet and animal food industry in an effort to take millions of pounds of these harmful fish out of our waterways. NOAA will administer grants to pet and animal food manufacturers to ensure watermen are properly incentivized to catch blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and establish transportation, processing, and manufacturing structures for a long-term market. 

Throughout this two-year pilot, NOAA will collect data on the ecological and economic impacts of this program on the population of invasive blue catfish and other species in the Chesapeake Bay, the economic impact on watermen, and the market response and processes from pet and animal food manufacturers. NOAA will additionally report back to Congress on best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations for additional species in other watersheds that may benefit from this program.

“The Chesapeake Bay is the beating heart of Maryland,” Congressman Hoyer said. “We have a responsibility to look after the Bay, its ecosystems, and the communities that it sustains. I’m proud to join my friend Sarah Elfreth – a longtime advocate for the Chesapeake Bay – on this vital legislation to protect the health of our public waters.”

“The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in the United States, with more coastline across the Watershed than the entire coast of California. It is a pillar of our local recreation, seafood, and tourism economies,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “Invasive blue catfish pose a direct ecological and economic threat to our Bay, which is why I am introducing the bipartisan MAWS Act alongside Congressman Wittman to address the damage inflicted by blue catfish, while also strengthening our local seafood economy and providing a new source of protein to pets nationwide.”

“Having grown up on the Chesapeake Bay, I understand how important it is to protect our marine wildlife and restore the Bay’s ecosystem,” said Congressman Wittman. “Since their introduction,  blue catfish have become an invasive species, posing a growing threat to the biodiversity of the region’s waters and inflicting economic damage to the seafood industries that rely on the Bay. I am proud to join Representative Elfreth in introducing the MAWS Act, which will create a new market to incentivize the harvest and sale of blue catfish while providing valuable data for future efforts to combat invasive species in our waterways.”

Invasive blue catfish do not have any natural predators in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. They can live up to 20 years and weigh up to 100 pounds. Their diet consists of staples of our seafood industry, including blue crabs, rockfish, striped bass, and oysters. Blue catfish are not only contributing to the ecological biodiversity challenge of the Bay, but also causing significant economic damage to our seafood industry in Maryland and Virginia.

“The Chesapeake Bay is central to our way of life in Coastal Virginia. It supports thousands of jobs and feeds millions of people, but its future is under threat from invasive blue catfish. The MAWS Act is a creative, bipartisan solution that helps our watermen, protects native species, and turns an environmental challenge into an economic opportunity. By building a new market for blue catfish in pet food, we can strengthen the Bay’s ecology and the seafood economy that depends on it,” said Congresswoman Kiggans.

“The Pet Food Institute, whose members make the vast majority of dog and cat food and treats in the U.S., is proud to endorse the MAWS Act, which establishes a pilot program enabling pet food makers to use Chesapeake Bay blue catfish as a high-quality ingredient in complete and balanced cat and dog food,” said the Pet Food Institute’s president and CEO, Dana Brooks. “PFI applauds Reps. Sarah Elfreth and Rob Wittman for introducing legislation that opens the door to a potential new pet food ingredient market while also offering local economic impact and environmental benefit.”

“The American Feed Industry Association is pleased to endorse the ‘Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act of 2025’ to encourage the commercial use of blue catfish harvested from the Chesapeake Bay, including use as a wholesome and nutritious ingredient in pet food,” said Leah Wilkinson, American Feed Industry Association’s Chief Policy Officer.

“This is exactly the kind of policy that makes a lasting difference. The MAWS Act creates a clear path to address a significant environmental problem while giving pet parents the chance to make a meaningful choice — one that’s good for pets, good for people, and good for the planet. I’m proud to support it,” said Aaron Merrell, CEO, CITIZEN’S Pet Products (Plato Pet Treats and Furry Republic).

 “Invasive blue catfish impact important recreational fisheries in the Chesapeake Bay, outcompeting and directly preying on species like striped bass,” said Mike Leonard, Vice President of Government Affairs at the American Sportfishing Association. “The MAWS Act helps to address this challenge, establishing an innovative program to encourage the harvest of these invasive species, while gathering data that will support fisheries management in the Bay. ASA thanks Representatives Elfreth and Wittman for their leadership of this bill, which could set a strong example for invasive species control nationwide.”

“The Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are my home waters, and I can personally attest to the changes in the Bay’s fisheries in recent years due to various pressures on the resource, not the least of which is the invasive blue catfish,” said Jeff Crane, President and CEO of the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation. “We applaud Rep. Elfreth and Rep. Wittman for their leadership and their innovative proposal to address the growing population of this invasive species in the Bay.”

“Blue catfish pose a clear and present danger to valuable native Bay species like blue crabs and striped bass. Finding and standing up new markets for this invasive species, like the pet and animal food industry, is essential to keeping its numbers in check. So is ensuring that it makes economic sense for watermen to catch them. The Mitigation Action & Watermen Support Act does both, which is why the Chesapeake Bay Foundation is pleased to support it,” said Keisha Sedlacek, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Federal Director. “We thank House Natural Resources Vice Chairman Rob Wittman and Vice Ranking Member Sarah Elfreth for their leadership and creative thinking on ways to control this dangerous predator threatening iconic Bay species and the people who make their living on them.” 

“The Choose Clean Water Coalition is pleased to support the MAWS Act, which will take a critical step in mitigating the damage caused by invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. This legislation is yet another example of an action that’s positive for both the environment and local economy. Opening up new markets for blue catfish will provide an additional revenue stream for watermen while also addressing a growing threat to the health of the Bay’s ecosystem. We want to thank Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth (D-MD) and Congressman Rob Wittman (R-VA) for introducing the MAWS Act and are looking forward to it progressing through Congress,” said Choose Clean Water Coalition Director, Kristin Reilly.

“Blue Catfish are a significant and unchecked threat to the Chesapeake Bay’s major river systems, preying on iconic and economically important species like blue crabs, Atlantic menhaden, and striped bass,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “As apex predators, these non-native fish are rapidly expanding in population and range, putting our ecosystem and our coastal economies at risk. We need solutions like the MAWS Act that will put science and market-based solutions to work to control this growing threat and support those whose livelihoods depend on our native fisheries.”

 “The invasive blue catfish has spread throughout the Chesapeake Bay, harming our ecosystems and iconic native species including blue crab and rockfish,” said National Aquarium President and CEO John Racanelli. “As an organization committed to saving wildlife and habitats, the National Aquarium encourages people to consume blue catfish, and we proudly serve it in our café. We also believe there is strong potential for blue catfish to contribute to healthy pet and animal diets and are investigating the possibility of incorporating it into the diet of animals in our care. The National Aquarium applauds this bipartisan legislation and its innovative approach to help create new markets, support watermen, and spur demand for greater consumption of invasive blue catfish.”

 “Invasive species can lead to the extinction of native species and reduced biodiversity,” said Dan Ashe, president and CEO of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. “We applaud Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth and Congressman Rob Whitman for their leadership. This bill would be a critical step forward in protecting native species and the commercial entities that rely on the Chesapeake Bay for their livelihoods.”

 “We recognize the many challenges created by the population expansion of the invasive blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Maryland Sea Grant supports science-informed action to address this difficult fishery issue and believes the proposed pilot project in the MAWS Act is an important step towards understanding and managing blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. Maryland Sea Grant is grateful for the opportunity to consider this legislation and the many issues around blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay,” said Dr. Fredrika Moser, Director of the Maryland Sea Grant program.

The full bill text is available HERE. A one-pager of the bill is available HERE.