MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 1968, the Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. This government funding bill, commonly referred to as a Continuing Resolution (CR), is being used by House Republicans to appease Donald Trump and his billionaire allies by ceding Congress’ constitutional authority over government funding and paving the way for drastic cuts to essential services and programs.

“House Republicans have once again failed to negotiate a bipartisan agreement that puts the needs of the American people first. Instead of working across the aisle to address our nation’s most pressing priorities, they passed a partisan Continuing Resolution that hands a blank check and unchecked power to the Trump administration and Elon Musk so that they can continue to gut critical public services and programs, ultimately hurting working families. House Republicans have chosen, once again, to put their loyalty to Donald Trump and Elon Musk over their responsibility to the American people.

“I will not support a continuing resolution that undermines the constitutional responsibility entrusted to Congress. Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution grants Congress – not the President or unelected officials – the power of the purse. That is because our founders understood that only the elected representatives of the American people should pass laws and decide how taxpayer funds should be spent. This power held by Congress remains an essential element of our Constitution, intentionally designed to protect us from authoritarianism. The President does not have the unilateral authority to eliminate federal programs created by Congress, nor can any President transfer such authority to an unelected, unvetted, and unaccountable billionaire. Yet, this resolution weakens Congress’ power of the purse, yielding greater control over how taxpayer dollars are spent to the President and his billionaire allies.

“While Republicans currently hold a majority in the House and Senate, Democrats have historically worked with them to keep the government open and prevent disastrous shutdowns. In fact, Democrats have saved Republicans from their own dysfunction, helping to pass the past three CRs. However, this time, House Republicans are determined to move forward with a bill that slashes funding for critical programs, like health research, veterans’ health programs, and housing assistance, and the bill does nothing to prevent Trump and Musk from ignoring the law. House Republicans have failed to uphold their responsibility to their constituents and the nation – all in service of staying within the good graces of an erratic and despotic President.

“What we are witnessing is a pattern of House Republicans’ lack of leadership and inability to govern. While the House Republican conference remains in disarray, the one thing they have unified around is relinquishing the co-equal power of Congress to Donald Trump and delivering wins for billionaires – at the expense of the American people.”

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Issues: 119th Congress

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (R-Pa.) today reintroduced the bipartisan Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act to create jobs and promote energy efficiency. 

Mechanical insulation has been shown to drastically cut energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions in commercial buildings. Unfortunately, it is currently cost-prohibitive for many employers. The bill provides a tax incentive for skilled-labor installation of mechanical insulation in buildings to make them more energy efficient.

“Mechanical insulation is one of the most overlooked yet effective solutions for improving energy efficiency, and it’s time we recognize its true potential,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “Our bill will support investments in energy-efficient upgrades for buildings across our country – from schools to hospitals to manufacturing plants and office buildings – while also creating good-paying union jobs. By incentivizing the skilled-labor installation of mechanical insulation, we can lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build a more sustainable future.”

“The Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act is a commonsense policy solution to reducing energy waste, cutting emissions, lowering operating costs for businesses, and creating well-paying, skilled jobs across the country. At a time when strengthening American energy independence and dominance is more critical than ever, this bipartisan legislation quite simply encourages investments that will bring us closer to a more sustainable, energy efficient future. I am proud to partner with Congresswoman Sánchez in advancing this pragmatic and business-friendly climate proposal,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. 

 The Mechanical Insulation Installation Incentive Act:

• Provides a tax credit for up to 10 percent of the labor costs incurred by a taxpayer in installing mechanical insulation property on pipes and equipment.
   
• Saves energy, lowers energy costs, and reduces energy consumption while supporting good-paying union jobs.

Mechanical insulation encompasses all thermal, acoustical and personal safety requirements for mechanical piping and equipment, as well as heating, ventilating and air condition (HVAC) applications. The system is used across a wide platform of commercial and industrial buildings to decrease heating and cooling costs while increasing efficiency.

This bill is endorsed by the International Association of Heat and Frost Insulators and the Labor Management Cooperative Trust.

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on the passing of Quincy Enoch:

“I’m heartbroken by the passing of my friend Quincy Enoch. He was more than a respected professional in Washington – he was a source of light, warmth and wisdom to everyone around him. Quincy led with heart and purpose. He brought people together, mentored the next generation with generosity and always showed up with grace and a smile.

“His integrity, kindness and unwavering commitment to lifting others made him truly one of a kind. I feel lucky to have known him and to have called him a friend. His legacy will live on in all of us. Rest in peace, Quincy – you will be deeply missed.”

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

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) and 13 of her committee Democratic colleagues today called on Labor Secretary Chavez-DeRemerto and U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade.

The members also called on the administration to block any attempts by Elon Musk and DOGE to cut the Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer.

“American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains,” the members wrote. “By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

In addition to Sánchez, the letter was signed by Representatives John B. Larson (D-Conn.), Danny K. Davis (D-Ill.), Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), Judy Chu (D-Calif.), Gwen Moore (D-Wisc.), Brendan F. Boyle (D-Pa.), Donald Beyer (D-Va.), Dwight Evans (D-Pa.), Brad Schneider (D-Ill.), Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Steven Horsford (D-Nev.) and Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.).

Full text of the letter is available here and follows:

March 21, 2025

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer
Secretary
Department of Labor
200 Constitution Ave NW
Washington, DC 20210

The Honorable Jamieson Greer
Ambassador
United States Trade Representative
600 17th Street, NW
Washington, D.C. 20508

Dear Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Ambassador Greer:

As Members of the House Ways and Means Committee, we urge you to reinstate recently canceled international labor programs that are critical to protecting American workers and defending U.S. trade, and to also protect the U.S. Department of Labor’s International Labor Affairs Bureau (ILAB) staff and the programs they administer from further cuts. ILAB and its programs work to ensure that U.S. trade policy does not result in the outsourcing of good-paying American jobs to countries with lax labor protections. Our committee has consistently supported funding ILAB to ensure U.S. trade agreements and policies are enforced because American workers and businesses should never have to compete with goods subsidized by unfair trade practices, including forced labor and child labor. 

ILAB’s projects around the globe are key to achieving a level playing field for American workers and ensuring that American consumers are not complicit in buying products tainted by forced or child labor overseas. For example, a recently canceled ILAB project in Uzbekistan, supported by a broad coalition of American apparel companies, has been instrumental in eliminating the systemic use of forced and child labor in the Uzbek cotton sector. Just last year, in one of dozens of such findings, ILAB raised awareness of the use of forced labor in Indonesian nickel mines, which have flooded the global market, placing domestic producers at a significant disadvantage. ILAB also works to address China’s efforts to profit from slave labor, playing a leading role in the U.S. government’s Forced Labor Enforcement Task Force that works with Customs and Border Protection to enforce the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. 

As we begin the six-year review under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), we do so with an acute awareness that ILAB provides essential support to USTR to enforce the rules of the USMCA, including through dozens of cases brought under the Rapid Response Labor Mechanism, ensuring that companies in Mexico can’t undercut American jobs and manufacturers by skirting the USMCA’s labor requirements. As the eyes and ears of the U.S. Department of Labor abroad, ILAB is the lynchpin in our efforts to ensure that Mexico and other trading partners are playing by the rules. 

American trade policy relies on critical federal programs working overseas to challenge unfair competition from governments that commit egregious abuses in global supply chains. By eliminating these and other technical assistance projects, the Administration is surrendering an essential tool for leveling the playing field and holding our trade partners accountable. As Members of the Ways and Means Committee, with constitutional authority to oversee American trade policymaking, we strongly urge you to immediately reinstate canceled international labor programs in trade partner countries and fully fund ILAB to carry out its vital mission.

Sincerely,

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement on President Trump’s illegal executive order to dismantle the Department of Education:

“This illegal executive order is a direct attack on our students’ futures. The president does not have the authority to dismantle a department created by Congress, making this yet another abuse of power from this White House.

“Closing the Department of Education would have catastrophic consequences for students in every state. It would lead to massive teacher layoffs, increase class sizes and disproportionately harm students with disabilities. And it would push higher education and job training further out of reach for middle- and working-class families.

“This is a blatant scheme to rob our students to pay for more tax cuts for billionaires like Elon Musk and Donald Trump. Democrats will fight this reckless executive order to protect our students and teachers.”

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) released the following statement after voting against the Republican continuing resolution:

“This is far from a clean funding bill, no matter how much Republicans try to spin it.

“It slashes vital programs like health care, nutritional assistance, and cuts $23 billion from veterans’ benefits. And it offers no new aid for Los Angeles’ wildfire victims.

“Even worse, it disregards the Constitution, failing to guarantee that President Trump will honor Congress’ funding decisions and exposes Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid to egregious cuts by unelected billionaire Elon Musk.

“The Senate should reject this partisan, reckless bill and force Speaker Johnson back to the table to negotiate a clean, bipartisan bill that protects the programs Americans rely on.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

San Diego, CA – On March 21, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) and local leaders highlighted the importance of Medicaid and the harm that Republicans’ healthcare cuts and inflationary budget will have on our communities. One in five CA50 residents relies on Medicaid – cutting $880 billion in Medicaid funding would take away theirs and millions of Americans’ health care coverage and increase costs for tens of millions more.

“In every congressional district in the country, Medicaid supports critical health care for children, Americans with disabilities, and working people who are already struggling to keep up in this economy.” said Rep. Scott Peters. “Cutting health coverage will not make America healthier, it will make us sicker. I’ve now voted twice to stop Republican efforts to slash Medicaid, and I promise to continue doing everything in my power to halt their schemes.”

Rep. Peters brought together hospital and community health center staff, patients, long term care facility providers, labor union members, and local elected officials to emphasize how proposals to cut Medicaid funding would devastate health care in San Diego and across the country.

“As a public safety net provider, UC San Diego Health delivers comprehensive care to all members of our community regardless of demographics, insurance coverage, or income status,” stated UC San Diego Health CEO, Patty Maysent. “Investing in Medicaid is an investment in the greatest asset we have in this nation, our people, and their health. UC San Diego’s clinicians, researchers, students and patients thank Congressman Peters for his commitment to sustaining this critical federal resource.”

“I was diagnosed with a rare brain aneurysm and needed complex surgery. Thanks to Medi-Cal, I received life-saving neurosurgical care at UC San Diego Health,” said Karla Zimmerman, a patient at UC San Diego Health. “I still have two aneurysms that need continuous monitoring. As a mother of two, my biggest fear is not being there for my daughters. No one should have to worry about losing their health care.”

“Don’t Cut Medicaid, you never know when you or your family member will need it,” said Sabrina Bishop, a United Domestic Worker (UDW) in-home care provider.

“No family should have to choose between paying for a doctor’s visit or putting food on the table. No senior should worry about whether they can afford their medications. No child should go without the healthcare they need to grow up healthy and strong,” stated City Councilmember Stephen Whitburn. “We will not stand idly by while the health and well-being of our families, seniors, and children are threatened. Together, with Congressman Peters, we will defend Medicaid and ensure that every person has access to the care they deserve.”

“San Diegans are struggling to make ends meet, and federal cuts to healthcare is the last thing we need. As a parent, I can’t imagine telling one of my kids that we can’t afford to take them to a doctor when they’re sick,” said City Council President Pro Tem Kent Lee. “But if Congress slashes these programs, one out of three people in San Diego County, including hundreds of thousands of kids, are going to have their health coverage impacted. Anyone who wants to lower the cost of living, support working families, and decrease homelessness should be against these cuts.”

Rep. Peters has been a longtime advocate to make to protect Medicaid funding and make it easier – not harder – for Americans to access the tests, treatments, and cures they need. He has urged his Republican colleagues not to enact a budget that would increase inflation and balloon our deficit, while cutting vital healthcare, firefighters, and airline safety just to pay for tax cuts for people and corporations who don’t need them. Democrats will continue fighting to save Medicaid and protect Americans.

A livestreamed recording of the press conference can be found here

Additional photos from the event are available courtesy of Rep. Peters’ office here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Scott Peters released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s troubling self-dealing:

“While President Trump and Elon Musk get richer, Americans will suffer from their cuts to health care, food assistance, national parks, and so much more,” said Rep. Peters. “I will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for any attempt to enrich themselves or give special treatment to allies not available to ordinary Americans.”

See below for how President Trump is using the Presidency to benefit himself and his allies at the expense of the American people.

Last week, you saw President Trump shoot a car commercial at the White House to benefit Elon Musk, his top donor and a current government employee. “Coincidentally,” Elon donated $100M to the President on the same day.

Trump touts Musk’s cars from the White House, Musk promises $100 million contribution to Trump – on the very same day.

President Trump continues to send the message to politicians that he will forgive corruption as serious as fraud and bribery in exchange for loyalty.

It Pays to Be a Friend of Donald Trump

While Americans are concerned about high prices from tariffs, loss of government services, and attacks on veterans, the people who have the President’s ear are paying $5 million for a dinner.

People Are Paying Millions to Dine With Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago

$TRUMP coin is a perfect vessel for this corruption. You can get away with committing fraud if you have tens of millions to invest in the President’s meme coin. Remember when Jimmy Carter had to sell his peanut farm before taking office…

A crypto mogul who invested millions into Trump coins is getting a reprieve on civil fraud charges

Binance founder Changpeng Zhao is learning from Justin Sun’s example. If he is willing and able to enrich the president’s family, he may be in line for a pardon from Trump.

Trump Family Has Held Deal Talks With Binance

President Trump is sending a clear message that he is more than willing to fire any government official who tries to prevent his corruption.

Justice Dept. Official Says She Was Fired After Opposing Restoring Mel Gibson’s Gun Rights

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50) and Juan Vargas (CA-52) and Senators Alex Padilla (D-CA) and Adam Schiff (D-CA) invited newly confirmed EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBITWP) to see firsthand the ongoing environmental and public health harm the cross-border sewage crisis has on our communities.

In a letter to Administrator Zeldin, members wrote, “As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego… EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.”

Days after receiving a letter from Imperial Beach Mayor Paloma Aguirre about the cross-border sewage San Diego has suffered, Administrator Zeldin posted about a briefing he received on the crisis. Rep. Peters wants to ensure new EPA leadership fully understands the scope of this environmental catastrophe and their role in addressing the public health and environmental harm.

They go on to state, “Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.”

Rep. Peters and his colleagues look forward to working with Administrator Zeldin to support the ongoing repairs at SBIWTP and recovery of our region. In 2021, prior EPA Administrator Michael Regan toured the Tijuana River Valley at the request of Reps. Peters and Vargas. 

Full text of the letter can be found here and below:

Dear Administrator Zeldin,

We would like to invite you to visit the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant (SBIWTP) in the Tijuana River Valley and appreciate your interest in addressing the crossborder sewage crisis.

As you know, decades of underinvestment in cross-border wastewater infrastructure have led to the flow of untreated sewage into San Diego. Since 2018, more than 100 billion gallons of toxic sewage, trash, and unmanaged stormwater have flowed across the United States-Mexico border into the Tijuana River Valley and neighboring communities, forcing long-lasting beach closures and negatively impacting the local economy, environment, and health of U.S. military and Homeland Security personnel. EPA served as an important advocate for this issue in the last Trump Administration and we hope the agency will continue to do so once again.

While this wastewater pollution crisis is not new, it has intensified over the past two years. Researchers have recently discovered that toxins and bacteria from the Tijuana River can be aerosolized, unveiling additional potential risks to the air quality in our communities. EPA, working with the International Boundary and Water Commission, will play a critical role in addressing these issues and helping the region recover from decades of pollution and environmental degradation.

We look forward to working with you on this important issue, and we hope to host you at SBIWTP so you can see first-hand the challenges confronting our region. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) released the following statement ahead of the expected Senate vote on the Trump-enabling GOP government funding bill:

“Last night, House Democrats stood united against a bill that would let President Trump and Elon Musk shut down whatever part of the government they want, whenever they want. Now all eyes are on the Senate, the only institution in government where Democrats have true leverage thanks to the filibuster. Leader Schumer and Senate Democrats must use that leverage to fight for Americans facing higher costs, bigger deficits, and an intentional recession. They must use their leverage to bring Republicans to the negotiating table on President Trump’s unconstitutional funding cuts that violate the separation of powers.

“Congress is a co-equal branch of government, and we should take this opportunity to remind President Trump that he is not all-powerful. It’s time to stand up for our country and for Congress’s role as a check and balance on an overzealous President. If not now, when? If not us, then who?”

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