MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

OSAWATOMIE, KS — Today, as part of her America 250 Week, Representative Sharice Davids visited John Brown Park in Osawatomie to highlight federal funding she secured to refurbish the site and her ongoing efforts to strengthen Kansas’ history amid cuts from the current administration.

“America 250 is about recognizing the places and stories that shaped our country, and Kansas has played a central role in that history,” said Davids. “John Brown Park is tied to the struggle over slavery and civil rights, and it deserves investment and care so future generations of Kansans and tourists can learn from it. I’m proud to have secured federal investments to help restore and improve this space, and I’ll keep fighting to protect Kansas history and the communities that preserve it.”

During the visit, Davids toured John Brown Park, a historic site located in Osawatomie that sits on the grounds of the Battle of Osawatomie and serves as a key cultural and recreational destination for the community. She highlighted $3.81 million she secured for infrastructure refurbishment at the park, including improvements to aging streets, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, and sewer systems, as well as enhancements to public engagement and historical storytelling spaces. Part of the funding was a joint request with U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS).

Davids also highlighted her work to protect and restore funding for the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, which spans eastern Kansas and western Missouri and preserves sites tied to the Civil War era and the struggle over slavery and freedom in the region. Last year, Davids and Representative Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05) successfully pushed for the release of delayed federal funding for the Heritage Area after concerns that withheld funds were disrupting staffing, preservation work, and educational programming.

In 2023, Representative Davids, alongside Senators Jerry Moran (R-KS) and Roger Marshall (R-KS), urged the National Park Service (NPS) to assess the feasibility of designating John Brown Park as a national park unit. This is the first step in the federal process for potential National Park System inclusion. If advanced, it could lead to additional surveys by the NPS and subsequent congressional action to establish the site as an official unit of the National Park System.

Partner Quotes:

“On behalf of the people of Osawatomie, I want to thank Congresswoman Sharice Davids and Senator Jerry Moran for their bipartisan leadership,” said Nick Hampson, Mayor, City of Osawatomie. “These investments will drive tourism, create economic opportunity, and help us tell our story for generations to come.”

“Bleeding Kansas was the crucible where the question of who we are as a nation was first forced into the open,” said Mike Scanlon, John Brown Foundation. “Senator Moran and Congresswoman Davids — across party lines, much like the unlikely alliances of 1856 — show Kansas still knows how to lead.”

“Investing in our region’s past is a bet on its future,” said Lucinda Barnhart Adams, Executive Director, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area. “By securing funding for John Brown Memorial Park and Museum, Rep. Davids has strengthened a key Freedom’s Frontier partner site and preserved an important chapter in our nation’s history. This investment will help attract visitors and tourism dollars from across the region and beyond, generating economic benefits that extend far beyond a single destination to communities throughout Freedom’s Frontier.”

“I grew up hearing about John Brown and his legacy that he left for our community,” said George Pretz, Chair, Miami County Commission. “With the support of Senator Moran and Congresswomen Davids, the John Brown Foundation is carrying this legacy forward for our future generations. Not as a relic but as a living commitment to the ideals that made Kansas free.”

“Frederick Douglass said: ‘I could live for the slave. John Brown could die for the slave.’ We are not asked for sacrifice of that magnitude — only to remember, honor, and teach,” said Karen LaDuex, President, John Brown Foundation. “Senator Moran and Congresswoman Davids have made sure we can do exactly that.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) joined U.S. Senators Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff (both D-Calif.), along with Rep. David Valadao (R-Calif.-22) and 10 colleagues in urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide emergency funding to address the growing threat posed by the invasive glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) in California.

In a letter to the USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins, the lawmakers requested the immediate release of $32.2 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation to support efforts to contain and eradicate the pest, which spreads Pierce’s Disease (PD) and threatens many critical agricultural industries in California, including wine grapes and table grapes.

“On May 19th, staff from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and Fresno County agricultural commissioner’s office identified nursery stock infested with GWSS that was distributed to Costco locations in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Kings, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties,” wrote the lawmakers. “The vines were sold to customers across the state and are now believed to have been transported to residential homes in at least 38 counties. The movement of infested nursery stock into and near key grape-producing regions, including areas critical to California’s winegrape and fresh table grape production, significantly elevates the urgency of this response.”

The lawmakers emphasized the significant economic stakes for California agriculture.

“According to the Wine Institute, the California wine industry supports 1.1 million jobs across the country and has an economic impact of $170.5 billion,” continued the lawmakers. “Meanwhile, California produces 99% of the table grapes grown in the United States, and the California Table Grape Commission estimates that California table grapes have a crop value of $2.59 billion. This pest and its associated disease pose a potentially catastrophic threat to these industries. If left unchecked, the California Department of Food and Agriculture estimates that losses associated with PD/GWSS could eclipse $104 million annually.”

The requested funding would support emergency response efforts, including tracing, surveying, and trapping, implementing an ongoing trapping and survey programs for the next three years.

Full letter is available here and below. 

—

Dear Secretary Rollins:

We write to request that you immediately authorize the release of $32.2 million from the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) to address the time-sensitive threat posed to the wine, winegrape, and table grape industries from Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter (GWSS) and associated Pierce’s Disease (PD). GWSS is a serious pest that feeds on grapevines and is a vector for PD, an incurable disease which kills grapevines by clogging their water-conducting vessels.

On May 19th, staff from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and Fresno County agricultural commissioner’s office identified nursery stock infested with GWSS that was distributed to Costco locations in Alameda, Butte, Contra Costa, Humboldt, Kings, Marin, Mendocino, Merced, Monterey, Napa, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Stanislaus, Tulare, Yolo, and Yuba Counties. The vines were sold to customers across the state and are now believed to have been transported to residential homes in at least 38 counties. The movement of infested nursery stock into and near key grape-producing regions, including areas critical to California’s winegrape and fresh table grape production, significantly elevates the urgency of this response.

According to the Wine Institute, the California wine industry supports 1.1 million jobs across the country and has an economic impact of $170.5 billion. Meanwhile, California produces 99% of the table grapes grown in the United States, and the California Table Grape Commission estimates that California table grapes have a crop value of $2.59 billion. This pest and its associated disease pose a potentially catastrophic threat to these industries. If left unchecked, CDFA estimates that losses associated with PD/GWSS could eclipse $104 million annually. Federal law (7 USC 7772) authorizes you to transfer funds from the CCC “in connection with an emergency in which a plant pest or noxious weed threatens any segment of the agricultural production.” Given the breadth and scope of the outbreak we face today, we believe the necessary conditions have been met, and we therefore ask that you authorize a transfer without delay.

Industry and staff from CDFA estimate the following costs will be required to address this situation:

There is an immediate need for an additional $3.2 million by June 30 to pay for emergency operations, including tracing, surveying and trapping.

There is an expected need to implement an ongoing trapping and survey program for the next three years, which will cost approximately $5 million per year for three years ($15 million)

When GWSS becomes more prevalent, as we fear it will, it is expected to cost an additional $3.5 million per year for four years for eradication. ($14 million)

It is important to note that the industry has not left the cost of PD/GWSS entirely up to the federal government. For the last 25 years, winegrape growers have assessed themselves to fund research and mitigation. Just last year, growers again approved a fee of $1.25 per $1,000 of grape value, which will be in place until 2030. Over time, growers have contributed more than $62 million to support the federal and state investments.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. The wine, winegrape, and table grape industries are a highlight of American agriculture, and your support during this challenging time will ensure U.S. wine and table grapes can continue to compete in the global market.

 

###

 

Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Baird Joins President Trump for Medal of Honor Ceremony for Major Nicholas Dockery

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On June 19th, Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, released the following statement:

“Since 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has waged a campaign of terror against the world and its own people. It has orchestrated the murder of thousands of Americans—directly and through its network of terrorist proxies. It has slaughtered tens of thousands of Iranian protesters and dissidents, and its meddling has collapsed nations across the region from Syria to Yemen. The crushing weight of U.S. sanctions — many of which I authored — has been one of our most effective tools for depriving this regime of the resources it uses to wage war against America and our allies.

President Trump’s agreement to provide the government of the Islamic Republic of Iran with $300 billion in so-called “reconstruction funds”, lift U.S. sanctions, and pressure Israel into standing down against Hezbollah is a betrayal — of the American service members who gave their lives, of decades of bipartisan consensus backed by the American people, and of the allies who have bled alongside us. It extracts staggering concessions from the United States while securing little in return: no commitment that Iran will abandon its terrorist proxies or respect international law in the Strait of Hormuz.

This deal does more than throw the regime a lifeline. It would hand the Islamic Republic the funds to revive Hamas and Hezbollah and restart the cycle of endless war in the region — at the very moment that American and allied forces have significantly degraded them.

The Islamic Republic of Iran chants “Death to America”. President Trump’s response should not be to provide them with $300 billion.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

[LEADER JEFFRIES ON UNIVISION: “TAXPAYER DOLLARS SHOULD BE USED TO MAKE LIFE MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE”]

Hoy, el Líder de los Demócratas Hakeem Jeffries apareció en Despierta América, donde enfatizó que la guerra elegida de Donald Trump ha dejado a los Estados Unidos en una situación peor con el aumento de los precios, y los demócratas continuarán oponiéndose al extremismo republicano.

[Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on Despierta América, where he emphasized that Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice has left America worse off with rising prices, and Democrats will continue to push back against Republican extremism.]

REMARKS AS INTERPRETED LIVE

SATCHA PRETTO: Seguimos con más en Despierta América y tenemos el gusto esta mañana de recibir en el estudio a Hakeem Jeffries, líder de la minoría demócrata en la Cámara de Representantes. Qué gusto que esté con nosotros. Él viene dispuesto a hablar de todo desde el conflicto entre Estados Unidos e Irán, los arrestos de ICE, hasta de fútbol, y es que se convierte en pieza clave para que le permitan a la mamá del destacado arquero de Cabo Verde viajar para ver a su hijo en vivo en la Copa. Muchísimas gracias por acompañarnos. Bienvenido. 

LÍDER JEFFRIES: Buenos días. Un placer estar acá.  

[LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. Great to be here.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Bien, vamos con esto primero. El vicepresidente JD Vance dice hace instantes, y cito, ‘que las negociaciones entre Estados Unidos e Irán en Suiza serían una buena base para lograr un acuerdo definitivo.’ ¿Cómo califica usted estas conversaciones y el conflicto en general que inició a finales de febrero?

LÍDER JEFFRIES: Desafortunadamente, Donald Trump envió a los Estados Unidos en una guerra que él eligió peligrosa. Como resultado de esta guerra que ha durado ya más de 100 días, los costos han subido, los precios de gasolina han subido, precios de alimentos han subido e Irán no es más débil ahora como resultado de lo que se hizo en el Oriente Medio, Irán ahora es un país más fuerte. Es importante que esta guerra termine, pero las preguntas que permanecen son: ¿Estamos mejor ahora que como estábamos nosotros antes de que comenzó esta guerra? Yo creo que la respuesta en estos momentos está clara. No lo estamos. 

[LEADER JEFFRIES: Unfortunately, Donald Trump entered the United States into a reckless and costly war of choice. And as a result of this war, which lasted over a hundred days, costs have gone up, gas prices have gone up, food prices have gone up and Iran is not weaker as a result of what was done over in the Middle East. Iran is now stronger.It’s important that this war come to an end, but the questions that remain are: are we better off now than we were before this war started? I think the answer right now is clear. We are not.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Y curiosamente ese fue un eslogan que utilizó el presidente Trump para ser reelecto, algo que ahora no lo favorecería según usted. 

LÍDER JEFFRIES: Definitivamente. Donald Trump prometió no comenzar guerras en el Oriente Medio, pero detenerlas. Esa fue una promesa explícita que le hizo al pueblo estadounidense y la ha quebrado. 

[LEADER JEFFRIES: Certainly, Donald Trump promised not to start wars in the Middle East, but to stop them. That was an explicit promise that he made to the American people, and he’s broken it.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Y bien. Vamos a hablar también de inmigración, un tema que concierne a muchos de los televidentes que se unen a Despierta América. El viernes, los senadores Dick Durbin y Alex Padilla enviaron una carta al secretario del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional preguntándole por las muertes de inmigrantes en centros de detención de ICE. Estas son denuncias que se vienen haciendo desde hace varios meses. Hay arrestos, por supuesto, de personas que dicen ser ciudadanas y que a pesar de que lo comprueban de esa forma, terminan bajo custodia de ICE. Y también no podemos obviar, por supuesto, todo lo que está ocurriendo con estas desnaturalizaciones. Las personas que son ciudadanas a quienes estarían investigando. ¿Qué está haciendo la bancada demócrata, representante Jeffries, para tratar de frenar esta ola de inmigración del presidente Trump? 

LÍDER JEFFRIES: ICE está totalmente fuera de control. Totalmente. Y creemos nosotros que los dólares de los contribuyentes deben ser usados para hacer que el costo de vida sea menor para el pueblo estadounidense y no para brutalizar o matar a ciudadanos estadounidenses, o como está haciendo ICE para violentamente tener como su objetivo a las familias que cumplen con la ley estadounidense.Pensamos que en este país el ICE debe de ser justo, debe de ser justo y humano y debe estar enfocado en los criminales violentos. Eso no es lo que está ocurriendo. Por eso los demócratas de la Cámara baja han tomado la posición de que nosotros no vamos a darle a ICE un centavo hasta que estos agentes comiencen a comportarse como todos los otros oficiales de la policía o agencias policiales en el país tienen que comportarse, en vez de poder estar en contra de las familias inmigrantes que cumplen con la ley y las comunidades hispanas. 

[LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, ICE is completely and totally out of control. And we believe that taxpayer dollars should be used to make life more affordable for the American people, not to brutalize or kill American citizens, or, as ICE has been doing, to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. We think in this country that ICE and immigration enforcement, it should be fair, it should be just and it should be humane. And it should be focused on violent felons. But that’s not what has been happening, which is why House Democrats have taken the position that we are not going to give ICE a dime until these agents start to behave like every other police officer, cop or law enforcement agency in the country, as opposed to violently targeting law-abiding immigrant families and people in Hispanic communities.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Y bien, no podemos dejarlo ir sin hablar de lo que todo el mundo está hablando: la Copa. Sabemos que usted fue una pieza clave para lograr que Ana Evora pudiera venir aquí a Estados Unidos para ver a su hijo Vozinha que está viral, verlo en un partido de arquero en la Copa. ¿Por qué se interesa usted en hacer esta gestión y cómo fue esa experiencia anoche? ¿Pudo conocerlos?

LÍDER JEFFRIES: Fue una experiencia maravillosa. Durante el fin de semana pude reunirme con ambos, con Vozinha y su mamá y también felicitar al equipo de Cabo Verde. Por parte de mi madre yo soy parcialmente de Cabo Verde. Fue un privilegio especial para mí. La Copa Mundial es algo sorprendente. Une a los países de todo el globo terráqueo para celebrar este juego mágico precioso. Y sabes, es un honor que los Estados Unidos sean unos de los anfitriones y que todos podamos participar. 

[LEADER JEFFRIES: It was a wonderful experience. Over the weekend, I was able to meet both Vozinha and his mom and also to greet the team from Cape Verde. Of course, on my mother’s side, I’m part Cape Verdean, and so, it was a particular privilege. The World Cup is an amazing thing. It brings countries together from all across the globe to celebrate this beautiful and magical game. And, you know, it’s an honor that the United States is hosting it and that all of us get to participate.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Y bueno, dicen que este año la selección estadounidense tiene muchísimas oportunidades de brillar y ojalá que así sea. Le agradecemos enormemente a Hakeem Jeffries, líder de la minoría demócrata en la Cámara de Representantes, por acompañarnos en vivo en esta mañana. Y bueno, tiene su corazón partido entre Cabo Verde y Estados Unidos. 

LÍDER JEFFRIES: Yo siempre estaré a favor del equipo de Estados Unidos, pero mi corazón también estará apoyando a Cabo Verde. 

[LEADER JEFFRIES: I’ll always be Team USA, but my heart as well will be rooting for Cape Verde.]

SATCHA PRETTO: Gracias por acompañarnos.

La entrevista completa se puede encontrar aquí.  

[Full interview can be watched here.]

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Yesterday, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held his fourth annual Juneteenth Jubilee and Youth Sports Day, where his remarks emphasized that House Democrats will continue to stand up to defend our democracy and fight back against the onslaught of extremism being visited on our country by extreme MAGA Republicans. 

LEADER JEFFRIES: This is our fourth annual event. Every year it’s getting bigger and bigger and bigger. But it’s a celebration, of course, a family celebration with food, fellowship, fun and freedom, which is what Juneteenth is all about. And there are people in this country who want to turn back the clock. We’re not going to let it happen. We’re going to keep America moving forward anchored in those principles that are at the core of the best of us—equal protection under the law, liberty and justice for all, free and fair elections and in a democracy that you get to be the captains of our own destiny.

It’s been such an honor for me to represent this community, and despite all the extremism that we’re confronting right now coming at us, we’re going to continue to stand up for voting rights, stand up for civil rights, stand up for racial justice, stand up for social justice, stand up housing justice, stand up for economic justice and stand up to make this city, our community and this country the best version of America possible.

So I’m just thankful for all of you. I’m thankful for the Juneteenth celebration. I’m thankful for the journey that we continue to be on now in our 250th year as a country. And lastly, I’m thankful for Jalen Brunson, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and the New York Knicks, who after 53 years have brought home the championship. So thank you all for your tremendous, tremendous support of this event. We’re going to continue to grow it year after year, continue to represent you with everything we have and make sure that in the next couple of months, when that November election comes, we do what’s necessary to change direction and take back control of the United States House of Representatives.

God bless you, God bless Coney Island, God bless Brooklyn and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Happy Juneteenth.

This event was hosted in partnership with State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (SD 23), Assemblymember Alec Brook-Krasny (AD 46), New York City Councilmember Kayla Santosuosso (CD 47), Brooklyn District Attorney Eric Gonzalez and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso.

Full remarks can be watched here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) reintroduced her United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act to establish a national commission of experts from a broad spectrum of disciplines to investigate how to maintain our democratic traditions of openness and access while responding to the security threats posed by terrorism. The bill authorizes a 21-member commission, with the President designating nine members and the House and Senate leadership each designating six members, to investigate and offer recommendations on the balance between public access to and security in Federal buildings and other Federal property. Members of the commission must come from diverse fields, including security, architecture, technology, sociology, psychology, military, city planning, business, engineering and history. Norton began working on the bill after Pennsylvania Avenue was closed and security barriers were erected in D.C. following the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. The events of 9/11 and the January 6, 2021 attack on the Capitol have underscored the bill’s urgency. 

Norton has previously introduced the No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act, which would prohibit the installation of permanent fencing at the Capitol complex, and introduced a bill to prohibit permanent fencing at the Supreme Court in May of 2026. Her consistent calls to remove the temporary fencing installed at the Capitol complex after the January 6^th attack, which gained congressional and national support, led to the removal of the fencing. 

“We cannot allow security protocols to proliferate without informed civilian oversight and a thorough analysis of alternatives that might better safeguard freedom and commerce,” Norton said. “Thus far, we’ve often relied on imprecise, medieval approaches like crude barriers or on intrusive new technologies that treat privacy like a privilege instead of a right. We can, and must, do better.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act of 2026

Today, I introduce the United States Commission on an Open Society with Security Act of 2026, which would create a commission to investigate how we can maintain our democratic traditions while actively responding to the real and substantial threats posed by foreign and domestic terrorism.

The impetus for this bill was the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995.  Its importance grew after the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, and the insurrection at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.  The tragic attacks endured by our nation have led to a series of sweeping security measures that are deemed both necessary and temporary in the moment, but create lasting security infrastructure that is difficult to dismantle and infringes on our open, democratic society.

We must acknowledge and accept that we have entered an era of constant internal and external threats, requiring ever-higher levels of security for our people and public spaces.  What we thought would be a temporary infringement on our open society has turned into a permanent restriction on how our citizens interact with each other and our democratic institutions.  Because emergencies typically dictate security decisions, essential discussions on the proper balance between security, individual rights and the freedoms enjoyed in an open society have been repeatedly deferred.

This bill would ensure that these long overdue discussions take place in a public forum with experts from across the spectrum. To date, security planning has been delegated almost exclusively to security, intelligence and military experts. Although their input is indispensable, they cannot be expected to consider matters outside of their expertise. To strike a better balance with our democratic traditions, we need to invite experts from diverse fields to the same table to work together.  Therefore, the commission would be composed not only of security, intelligence and military experts, but also experts from such fields as business, architecture, technology, law, city planning, art, engineering, philosophy, history, sociology and psychology.

We have used commissions before to deeply investigate and address unprecedented challenges, such as the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States (also known as the 9/11 Commission), the Commission on the Intelligence Capabilities of the United States Regarding Weapons of Mass Destruction (also known as the Silberman Robb Commission) and the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders (also known as the Kerner Commission). 

The commission created by this bill would seek to avert a crisis in basic freedoms before their infringement becomes entrenched. We cannot allow security protocols to proliferate without informed civilian oversight and a thorough analysis of alternatives that might better safeguard freedom and commerce.

Furthermore, we have had decades to develop security strategies and technologies that do not deprive our citizens of access to institutions and personal liberty.  Thus far, we have either relied on imprecise, medieval approaches like crude barriers or on intrusive new technologies that treat privacy like a privilege instead of a right.  We can, and must, do better.

As the home of the federal government, the District of Columbia and its residents have suffered disproportionate infringement on public spaces, personal rights and freedoms in the name of security.  Public spaces that serve as the heart of our local communities have become restricted zones characterized by a heavy security presence, with individuals liable to be reprimanded for walking on the wrong side of the street or marveling too long at the architecture.  Barriers such as walls and fences are touted as essential security features while our citizens are left peering at their democracy from a distance.

Security is not only about reducing lives lost and costs.  It is also about safeguarding the institutions, freedoms and values that anchor our country, not only for ourselves but for future generations. The social compact between government and the people should not be the result of a series of hostage negotiations. We must resume reasoned and deliberative decision-making, beginning with a high-level commission composed of experts from diverse disciplines charged with developing a new course that will protect both our people and our precious democratic institutions and traditions.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

LOS ANGELES, CA — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) released the following statement after requesting the EPA and FEMA stand ready to provide federal assistance as the Lineage Logistics fire in Boyle Heights continues. 

“My office is closely monitoring the fire in Boyle Heights and remains in direct contact with local emergency management officials, the EPA, and the offices of the Governor, Mayor, and LA County Supervisor.

“I’ve also urged the EPA and FEMA to stand ready to provide federal assistance if requested by local and state governments, including support for air quality monitoring, public health guidance, cleanup, and recovery efforts.

“Our top priority must be the safety of residents, workers, and first responders as crews continue their response. This fire is impacting working-class immigrant communities that have long shouldered more than their fair share of industrial and environmental hazards, making a swift, coordinated, and transparent response essential.

“Thank you to the firefighters and emergency personnel working tirelessly to protect our communities. Please continue following guidance from emergency officials and stay safe.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

LAFAYETTE, LA — Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) sent a letter today to President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance urging the administration to launch a federal investigation into alleged election fraud in Los Angeles County and calling for a pause on all federal funding to the city until the investigation is complete. Read the letter here.

The letter cites reports that LA County Republicans have received mail-in ballot rejection letters over signature issues, and that U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli is probing suspected fraud, an investigation complicated by the state’s vote-by-mail system, ballot harvesting, and delayed counting.

Higgins wrote: “As the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to investigate alleged election fraud in California, I urge your administration to pause all federal funding to Los Angeles, including federal projects and grants, until the investigation is complete,” 

“States that purposefully compromise our election process should not have unrestricted access to American treasure,” Higgins added. “I will use the full authority of my office to protect the American people.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

June 21, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Dave Taylor (R-Ohio), Chairman of the Congressional Trucking Caucus and a member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today introduced the Guarding Hours-of-Service Oversight and Stopping Tampering by Remote Unofficial Carrier Keeper or GHOSTRUCK Act, legislation to close a dangerous loophole that allows foreign-based dispatchers to manipulate Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records used to track commercial truck drivers’ hours of service.
“Foreign dispatchers should not be able to manipulate trucking safety records from halfway around the world and put American lives at risk,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Reports have exposed how overseas actors are falsifying driver logs, overworking truckers beyond safe limits, and avoiding accountability when tragedies occur. The GHOSTRUCK Act closes this loophole and helps keep our roads safe.”
“Beyond powering our nation’s supply chain and economy, our nation’s truck drivers share the road with American families, and there’s nothing more important than ensuring everyone reaches their destinations safely,” said Congressman Dave Taylor. “I am proud to join Rep. Steube in introducing the GHOSTRUCK Act to hold bad actors accountable for tampering with electronic logging devices, enhance accountability on the road, and ultimately make American roads safe again.”
The GHOSTRUCK Act would require that any edits or annotations to an ELD record be made only by a carrier, dispatcher, or driver physically located in North America, while preserving the existing requirement that all edits remain subject to driver approval.
The legislation is supported by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA), Florida Trucking Association (FTA), Truckload Carriers Association (TCA),National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA), and National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC).
“Roadway safety depends on consistent compliance with hours-of-service regulations, and preserving the integrity of electronic logging devices is central to that mission. Tampering with electronic logs is a growing problem that undermines enforcement, rewards bad actors, and puts the motoring public at risk. We appreciate Congressmen Steube and Taylor’s attention to closing this loophole and strengthening accountability so these devices serve the safety purpose they were intended to fulfill.” —Alex Rosen, Senior Vice President of Legislative Affairs, American Trucking Associations (ATA)“Florida Trucking Association supports legislation that reinforces accountability and transparency, and the GHOSTRUCK Act reflects those values. The safety of our drivers and the traveling public on America’s roadways remains the trucking industry’s top priority, and FTA will continue to support measures that uphold those standards.” —Scott Perry, President & CEO, Florida Trucking Association“OOIDA is proud to support Representative Steube and Taylor’s GHOSTRUCK Act, which would prevent foreign nationals in places like Eastern Europe and Asia from altering the ELD records of American truckers. Importantly, the bill ensures that a driver has final approval for any edits suggested by their motor carrier. Together, these provisions will improve highway safety, reduce driver coercion and help combat freight fraud.” —Todd Spencer, President and CEO, Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association“Drivers, carriers, regulators, and enforcement officials must be able to trust that Hours-of-Service records accurately reflect a driver’s duty status and are protected from unauthorized manipulation. Through its ongoing research into ELD security, compliance, and shared technology risks, NMFTA is working to strengthen transparency, accountability, and confidence in critical supply chain data. We appreciate Congressmen Steube and Taylor’s leadership and commitment to addressing these important issues through the introduction of this legislation.” —Debbie Sparks, Executive Director, National Motor Freight Traffic Association (NMFTA)
“TCA has consistently stressed that we advocate for compliance with trucking’s rules and regulations. The GHOSTRUCK Act represents a critical step toward the continued enforcement of roadway safety and ensuring that commercial vehicles operate with greater transparency and accountability. By limiting access to a driver’s Hours-of-Service record and its annotations, this proposed legislation will stress the importance of accurate driver logs and those who are responsible for overseeing them. Supporting the GHOSTRUCK Act reflects a commitment to modernizing transportation safety standards and saving the lives of our professional drivers and those they share the road with.” —Jim Mullen, President, Truckload Carriers Association.
“Safety is at the heart of everything we do at National Tank Truck Carriers, and the GHOSTRUCK Act strengthens the integrity of the Hours-of-Service system by ensuring that edits to Electronic Logging Device records are made only by authorized personnel physically located in North America and remain subject to driver approval. Accountability in driver records is essential to maintaining compliance, protecting drivers from undue pressure, and ensuring that commercial motor vehicles operate safely on our nation’s highways. NTTC appreciates Representatives Steube and Taylor’s leadership on this important issue and supports the advancement of the GHOSTRUCK Act.” —Ryan Streblow, President & CEO, National Tank Truck Carriers
Background: Current law does not clearly prohibit foreign-based personnel from making edits or annotations to Electronic Logging Device (ELD) records used to track commercial drivers’ Hours-of-Service. Recent reporting has highlighted how foreign-based dispatchers have manipulated driver logs to underpay and overwork drivers beyond safe hour maximums, creating serious safety concerns on American highways.
Electronic Logging Devices are required under Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulations to help ensure compliance with Hours-of-Service rules designed to prevent fatigued driving. While edits may be necessary to account for circumstances such as rest breaks or refueling stops, concerns have grown over foreign-based dispatchers altering records from overseas while remaining outside the reach of U.S. accountability measures.
If an American driver or dispatcher tampers with records that contribute to a fatal crash, they can face significant legal consequences, while foreign-based actors often avoid similar accountability.
Read the bill text here.