Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)
Stefanik, Messmer’s Bill Expanding Child and Dependent Care Advances out of Committee | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) released the following statement regarding the Republican budget resolution:
“The Republican budget resolution serves only to cut Medicaid and veterans’ health care. No one can vote for this legislation in good conscience and claim otherwise, which is why I will vote NO.”
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)
Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Dr. Raul Ruiz joined Ranking Member Diana DeGette and fellow members of the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee in demanding a meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., amid growing concerns over his DOGE-directed staff cuts and the escalating bird flu and measles outbreaks.
For more than two months, the Energy and Commerce Committee has requested a meeting or hearing with Secretary Kennedy’s office—requests that have gone entirely unanswered.
This morning, the members arrived at the Department of Health and Human Services headquarters seeking a long-overdue conversation. They were met by two security officers who allowed them entry but offered no further communication. No Assistant Secretary, Under Secretary, or representative from Secretary Kennedy’s office came to the lobby to acknowledge or respond to the delegation.
After waiting for over 30 minutes without any engagement from the Department, Congressman Ruiz and the Subcommittee members stepped outside to hold a press conference highlighting the continued lack of transparency and responsiveness from Secretary Kennedy’s team.
A small portion of the Congressman’s remarks are quoted below, and the full video can be found at the bottom of this press release:
“We want to know why in the middle of a measles outbreak, with over 640 cases, 3 deaths. Why are they cutting the [HHS] staff who are keeping us safe, to do the research, to help us administer the vaccines in the communities?
“One out of four people have been fired from Health and Human Services. In addition to that, they have cut nearly 12 billion dollars in funding that help promote the vaccine throughout our country and this is despicable, when we know that the most effective way of preventing measles is the MMR vaccine.”
For pictures of the press conference click here.
For video of the press conference click here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51)
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representative Juan Vargas (D-CA) and Congressional colleagues joined Kilmar Abrego Garcia’s wife, Jennifer Vasquez Sura, and immigrant advocacy leaders to demand answers and accountability from the Trump Administration on the illegal deportation and disappearance of Abrego Garcia.
Abrego Garcia is a father and a union member who was living legally, under protected status, in Maryland with his family until he was deported with no due process by the Trump Administration to a prison in El Salvador where he remains. The Administration has admitted that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was the result of an “administrative error”.
A transcript of Rep. Vargas’s remarks is available below:
Thank you very much.
First, I want to thank the family for being here.
I want to thank you, Jennifer, in particular.
And I especially want to thank you for your tears. Because I think the American people got to see the hurt of so many families in America right now.
Your tears are joined with the tears of many people in my district in San Diego, and they form a stream, and throughout this country, they form a river, a river of tears because of what’s happening to families.
Now, supposedly the Administration is the ‘family values’ Administration, and yet they’re tearing these families apart.
So, thank you for your courage to come up here and show the emotion that you feel towards your husband who’s been disappeared.
And I, too, never thought that this would happen in America.
I spent time in El Salvador during the 80s as a Jesuit. I was there as a missionary. And they disappeared people there, too, and you never found them again.
I never thought that something like that would happen in my own country, where masked people that work for the government would come and abduct people off the street.
So again, I want to thank you for your courage.
I also want you to know that we have two sheet metal workers right here in the union, they came to support you, they heard about your husband, and they’re here. Thank you.
Thank you for being here. You’re not alone. We’re with you.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Juan Vargas (CA-51)
WASHINGTON – Hoy, el Representante de los Estados Unidos Juan Vargas (D-CA) y sus colegas del Congreso se unieron a la esposa de Kilmar Abrego García, Jennifer Vásquez Sura, y líderes defensores de los inmigrantes para exigir respuestas y responsabilidad de la Administración Trump sobre la deportación ilegal y la desaparición de Abrego García.
Ábrego García es un padre y miembro de un sindicato que estaba viviendo legalmente, bajo estatus protegido, en Maryland con su familia hasta que fue deportado por la Administración Trump sin debido proceso a una prisión en El Salvador donde permanece. La Administración ha admitido que la deportación de Ábrego García fue resultado de un “error administrativo”.
Una transcripción está disponible a continuación:
Muchas gracias.
En primer lugar, quiero dar las gracias a la familia por estar aquí.
Quiero darte las gracias, a ti, Jennifer, en particular.
Y quiero agradecerte especialmente por tus lágrimas. Porque creo que la gente americana pudo ver el dolor de tantas familias en América en este momento.
Tus lágrimas se unen a las lágrimas de mucha gente de mi distrito en San Diego, y forman un torrente, y en todo este país, forman un río, un río de lágrimas por lo que les está pasando a las familias.
Ahora, supuestamente la Administración es la Administración de los “valores familiares” y sin embargo están destrozando a estas familias.
Así que gracias por tu valentía al subir aquí y mostrar la emoción que sientes hacia tu marido que ha sido desaparecido.
Y yo tampoco pensé nunca que esto ocurriría en Estados Unidos.
Pasé un tiempo en El Salvador durante los años ’80 como jesuita. Estuve allí como misionero. Y allí también desaparecían personas y nunca las volvías a encontrar.
Nunca pensé que algo así ocurriría en mi propio país, donde personas enmascaradas que trabajan para el gobierno vendrían y secuestrarían a gente de la calle.
Así que, de nuevo, quiero darles las gracias por su valentía.
También quiero que sepas que tenemos dos trabajadores del metal del sindicato que han venido a apoyarte, se han enterado de lo de tu marido y están aquí. Gracias. Gracias por estar aquí.
Gracias a ti por estar aquí. No estás sola. Estamos contigo.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Marilyn Strickland (D-WA), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), and Nikema Williams (D-GA) announced the reintroduction of the House Small Brewers Caucus in the 119th Congress. These members will serve as caucus co-chairs.
“Small breweries are also small businesses. They employ thousands of people across Pennsylvania and contribute more than $5 billion to the commonwealth’s economy,” said Rep. Kelly. “As Co-Chair of the House Small Brewers Caucus, I look forward to working on policy that keeps Pennsylvania’s beer industry brewing for years to come.”
“Small brewers are a critical part of the Washington and South Sound economy,” said Congresswoman Strickland. “Relaunching this caucus means that this industry, small businesses, and their workers are supported across our region, and our country.”
“North Carolina is home to some of the most innovative and hard-working brewers in the country,” said Congressman Harrigan. “These small businesses create jobs, attract investment, and strengthen the fabric of our communities. I’m proud to support them and to help lead this caucus as we work to cut red tape and keep this industry growing.”
“In Georgia’s Fifth District and across the country, small brewers are making a big splash. With a market value of $715 million in Georgia, small brewers demonstrate the impact small businesses can have on a community. These establishments create jobs, engage with their local neighborhoods, and promote economic and structural development. I am proud to help small brewers grow everywhere,” said Congresswoman Williams.
BACKGROUND
The House Small Brewers Caucus advocates for the 9,736 small and independent breweries in the United States. Craft breweries are vital small businesses and focal points of the communities in which they reside. In 2024, craft breweries supported nearly 460,000 jobs nationwide and contributed $77.1 billion to the U.S. economy, according to the Brewers Association.
Pennsylvania ranks third nationally with 530 craft breweries calling the Keystone State home.
Previously, as Co-Chair of the House Small Brewers Caucus, Rep. Kelly led the Craft Beverage Modernization and Tax Reform Act. This legislation would make permanent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act’s (TCJA) excise tax reduction on breweries, wineries, and distilled spirits producers.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
April 09, 2025
Washington, D.C. – Today, as the stock market was thrown into chaos and Americans are struggling to make ends meet, the House Natural Resources Committee Republicans held a markup on legislation designed to distract from this administration’s pandemonium and stroke the President’s ego. The markup featured pushing a Gulf of Mexico renaming stunt – all while families across America face rising costs, real crises, Trump Tariff whiplash, and shrinking retirement accounts thanks to the economy Republicans wrecked.
“President Trump’s reckless tariff plan has driven our markets into turmoil. The S&P 500 is officially in bear market territory, the Dow is cratering and for the average American teachers, firefighters, truck drivers, their 401ks and retirement savings are crumbling before their eyes, and that’s without getting into the higher prices that we’re all starting to see. These tariffs go into effect starting today. Is the majority doing anything about this looming economic catastrophe that absent decisive intervention will profoundly harm every sector of our economy and numerous programs under this committee’s jurisdiction? Obviously, no. Republicans in this Congress are just too busy renaming things like the Gulf of Mexico,” Ranking Member Huffman said during the markup. “The many issues that we’re neglecting today are not abstract problems, they’re immediate threats to our constituents’ safety, heritage, and livelihoods, and they’re entirely avoidable problems… caused by an administration that is going entirely unchallenged by this Republican Congress. Elon Musk is dismantling the Social Security Administration after calling Social Security a Ponzi scheme just a few days ago.
“Americans are not asking us to rename places in this moment, they’re asking us to lower costs to protect their savings, to fight for their future. They’re asking us to confront and mitigate the real and immediate threats of drought and wildfire. They’re asking us to stop the absolute chaos coming out of this administration. We urgently need congressional leadership to tackle the most pressing problems in America, and instead we are here with distractions and culture war sideshows. We owe the American people better, much better than this.”
Republicans voted against multiple Democratic amendments, including:
A full list of amendments offered by Committee Democrats can be found below.
H.R. 276 (Greene) Gulf of America Act of 2025
| Amendment #1 by Dexter | Clarifies that nothing in this bill authorizes the federal government to engage in retribution or censorship against a news organization that refers to the gulf as “Gulf of Mexico” |
|---|---|
| Amendment #2 by Huffman | Adds that the term “Gulf of America” was first coined by Stephen Colbert in reference to the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster |
| Amendment #3 by Huffman | Strikes “Gulf of America” and inserts “Gulf of Ignorance” |
| Amendment #4 by Huffman | Adds that references to Planet Earth shall be considered references to “Planet Trump” |
| Amendment #5 by Soto | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the President permanently withdraws the Eastern Gulf of Mexico from oil and gas leasing |
| Amendment #6 by Velázquez | Strikes “Gulf of America” and inserts “Gulf of Helene” |
| Amendment #9 by Ansari | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that President Trump’s trade war will not increase costs for American families and businesses |
| Amendment #11 by Rivas | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior provides an economic policy assessment of the bill to determine its effects on food prices, GDP, job creation, and unemployment. |
| Amendment #12 by Velázquez | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until CBO certifies that renaming the gulf would not increase the deficit or increase spending. |
| Amendment #13 by Gray | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that they will not reduce or redirect funding for the Bureau of Reclamation in drought-vulnerable states |
| Amendment #15 by Dexter | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that the Department’s Office of the Inspector General is fully funded at the requested FY25 level |
| Amendment #27 by Brownley | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Department of the Interior conducts a public comment period on the proposed name change |
| Amendment #28 by Brownley | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that the Department will not authorize any oil and gas lease sales in Atlantic and Pacific planning areas |
| Amendment #31 by Brownley | Strikes “Gulf of America” and inserts “Gulf of America Should Rejoin the Paris Agreement” |
| Amendment #34 by Randall | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources certifies that the 119th Congress will not direct or authorize the sale of public lands to raise revenue in a reconciliation bill |
| Amendment #36 by Brownley | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the NOAA extreme weather funding, positions, and offices are restored |
| Amendment #38 by Brownley | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Chair of the House Committee on Natural Resources certifies that IRA funds supporting Gulf states will not be rescinded |
| Amendment #49 by Huffman | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that the name “Denali” has been restored to North America’s highest peak |
H.R. 845 (Boebert) Pet and Livestock Protection Act of 2025
| Amendment #1 by Dexter | Adds that the bill shall not take effect until the Secretary of the Interior certifies that workforce reductions will not hinder the ability of the Fish and Wildlife Service to carry out monitoring and conservation actions |
|---|---|
| Amendment #2 by Hoyle | Adds that the final rule will not be subject to judicial review unless the Secretary of the Interior finds that the gray wolf population has declined more than 10 percent in one year. |
| Amendment #6 by Huffman | Strikes Sections 2 and 3 and requires the Secretary of the Interior to publish a nationwide recovery plan for the gray wolf. |
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Diana DeGette (First District of Colorado)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01) led members of Congress to the Department of Health and Human Services to demand a meeting with Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The group left without being able to speak to Secretary Kennedy or a member of his team. This comes after repeated calls, including a letter sent in February, demanding the Secretary meet with the Health Subcommittee by March 10th.
“The start of Secretary Kennedy’s tenure has been a complete and utter disaster, and today, we were denied the ability to even speak to a member of his team, let alone with the Secretary himself. He is failing to meet the moment as our country is experiencing multiple public health crises. Instead, he is pushing unproven conspiracy theories over tried-and-true treatments and cures. He is slashing the HHS workforce, canceling vital grants, and setting back biomedical research a generation.
“Our demands are simple: Secretary Kennedy must meet with us in person, and he must testify before the Energy & Commerce Committee to explain his reckless and illegal cuts and how he is going to ensure that we are prepared to tackle the health challenges our nation is facing.”
Rep. DeGette is the top Democrat on the Energy & Commerce Health Subcommittee. She was joined by Reps. Raul Ruiz, Marc Veasey, Robin Kelly, Lori Trahan, Lizzie Fletcher, Troy Carter, Nannette Barragán, Kathy Castor, and Maxine Dexter.
The full event can be viewed by clicking here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)
Statement on Appointment as Chairwoman of House Republican Leadership | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)
After visiting with linemen, law enforcement, local first responders, and emergency management in the First District over the weekend, Rep. Bergman took to the House floor today to honor the heroic work being accomplished in the aftermath of the historic ice storm.
In his comments, Rep. Bergman noted, “In the face of these challenges, linemen from Michigan and across the country have worked tirelessly in brutal conditions to restore power.
This past weekend I was able to meet with many of our first responders – police, firefighters, dispatchers, and emergency medical teams – who answered the call, keeping our communities safe and our roads open.
“Their bravery and dedication embody the spirit of resilience and unity that defines Northern Michigan. To all those affected, your determination has not gone unnoticed. My colleagues and I stand ready to support the State’s request for federal assistance.”
You can watch Rep. Bergman’s full speech by clicking here.
Yesterday, Rep. Bergman, joined by Senators Peters and Slotkin, wrote a letter to Governor Whitmer, outlining their readiness to support any requests for federal aid or support that the state may request.
Rep. Bergman further outlined how disaster response typically follows a tiered approach. Initially, state and local agencies are responsible for mobilizing their resources to address the immediate needs of the affected areas.
Michigan has state-level agencies such as emergency management systems and National Guard resources that are first in line to provide support to local communities – these have all been activated.
Once state resources are exhausted or deemed insufficient and an initial damage assessment is completed, the state can then formally request federal assistance which can include financial aid, personnel, and equipment.
Additionally, this week, Rep. Jack Bergman cosponsored a House Resolution recognizing linemen, the profession of linemen, the contributions of the brave men and women who protect public safety, and expressing support for the designation of April 18, 2025, as ‘‘National Lineman Appreciation Day’’