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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

Washington – On Tuesday, Congressman James E. Clyburn (D-SC-06) and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) were joined by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and other members of the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force to announce legislation to close the Charleston loophole and establish universal background checks for firearm purchases — a policy that’s supported by over 90 percent of Americans. Watch a video of the press conference here.

“Next Tuesday, June 17, marks the 10th anniversary of the massacre at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. On that horrific night in 2015, a shooter motivated by racial hatred opened fire during a bible study at this historic place of worship, killing nine worshipers. He was able to obtain the gun because of a provision in federal law that allows the sale to take place if the background check is still unresolved after three business days. Ten years ago, it became known as the Charleston loophole,” said Congressman Clyburn. “I am proud to join Rep. Mike Thompson in introducing The Enhanced Background Checks Act that would eliminate the three-day period and establish in its place a more thorough process that would keep guns out of dangerous hands, while protecting the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens.”

“Keeping guns out of the hands of people who are a danger to themselves or others just makes sense — and Americans overwhelmingly agree. That’s why 90 percent of non-gun owners and 90 percent of gun owners support universal background checks for firearm purchases. Background checks are quick and effective tools to keep our communities safe while still respecting the rights of law-abiding citizens. It’s time Republican leaders in the House get on board and help us pass this sensible legislation,” said Congressman Thompson. 

“As House Democrats, we stand strongly behind this commonsense, life-saving legislation designed to improve public safety for communities across our nation. We just need a handful of Republicans to join us to advance and enhance the safety of the American people. I’m thankful for the leadership of Mike Thompson, Jim Clyburn and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. We will continue to press forward with the fierce urgency of now until we crush the gun violence epidemic in the United States of America once and for all,” said Democratic Leader Jeffries. 

Rep. Thompson reintroduced H.R. 18, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act. It is Co-Sponsored by Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01). Rep. Clyburn introduced the Enhanced Background Checks Act. Both bills would expand requirements for background checks and reduce loopholes to help ensure people who are a danger to themselves or others can’t get a firearm. 

Background checks are quick, effective, and Constitutional. More than 90 percent of both gun owners and non-gun owners support universal background checks. Recently, reporting revealed that the perpetrator in the horrific June 1^st antisemitic attack in Boulder, Colorado originally planned a mass shooting but was unable to access a gun after failing a background check. This most certainly saved lives. 

Chairman Thompson has introduced background check legislation every Congress since the 2012 Sandy Hook Elementary shooting which killed 20 children and six adult staff members. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2025 (H.R. 18) is endorsed by 204 Members of Congress. Endorsing organizations include: GIFFORDS, Brady, Everytown for Gun Safety, March For Our Lives, Newtown Action Alliance, Sandy Hook Promise, and Equality California. 

“At a moment where safety and security is a top concern and too many of our leaders fail to prioritize it, we are glad to see this reform introduced again. Background checks work and save lives. It’s a commonsense, bipartisan policy that keeps guns out of the hands of dangerous people. GIFFORDS is proud to endorse the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and thanks Reps. Thompson and Fitzpatrick for their leadership,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director, GIFFORDS.

“Since its implementation in 1994, the Brady Background Check system has saved countless lives by preventing over 5 million transactions to prohibited purchasers. Yet, loopholes in the system, exacerbated by the rise of gun shows and sales facilitated by the internet, have allowed for far too many guns to be sold without background checks, leading to devastating consequences. H.R. 18 will fix this problem by expanding background checks to cover, with limited and reasonable exceptions, every transfer of firearms, fulfilling the mission of our namesakes, Jim and Sarah Brady. We applaud Representatives Mike Thompson and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing this legislation and loudly call on Congress to pass this expansion of background checks, which the overwhelming majority of the American public supports,” said Kris Brown, President, Brady.

“Background checks are the foundation of any common-sense approach to keeping guns out of dangerous hands, which is why the vast majority of Americans support them,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “Everytown applauds Representative Thompson and Representative Fitzpatrick for championing this crucial and common-sense step to address America’s gun violence crisis.”

“Young people across the country have made it clear: background checks are the bare minimum. We’re proud to support the Bipartisan Background Checks Act and will continue fighting until our laws reflect the demands of a generation that refuses to accept gun violence as normal,” said Jackie Corin, Executive Director, March For Our Lives.

“Since the Sandy Hook shooting in 2012, over 1.3 million Americans have been shot and nearly 500,000 have been killed by guns,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of Newtown Action Alliance. “Ensuring that every firearm sale includes a thorough background check is a proven and commonsense public safety measure that is supported by the majority of Americans – including gun owners. By closing the loophole on private transfers, this bill strengthens our communities without burdening law abiding citizens. We urge Congress to urgently pass H.R.18 to protect Americans and reduce gun violence.”

“Keeping guns out of unauthorized hands is crucial in preventing tragedies like the one that took 26 precious lives, including my son Daniel, at Sandy Hook Elementary School in 2012. No community and no family should ever experience that kind of trauma. Background checks are a key piece of legislation that will save lives, and we call on every member of Congress to pass this bill to protect children and communities throughout our nation,” said Mark Barden, co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Action Fund.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

Last week during a hearing by the House Committee on Ways and Means, Secretary of Treasury Scott Bessent responded to questioning about deficit effects of H.R. 1 by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) by suggesting that the bill would be fully offset through revenue raised by tariffs imposed on other countries by President Trump [as Beyer pointed out, this claim did not account for interest on debt accrued by the bill].

Numerous studies have found that the cost of tariffs, which are taxes on imports, are ultimately paid by consumers in the form of higher prices. Yale Budget Lab subsequently released updated economic analysis studying the combined distributional effects of Trump’s tariffs and H.R. 1 on household incomes, which found that these combined policies “would reduce after-tax-and-transfer incomes on average among the bottom 80 percent of U.S. households,” with the bottom ten percent of households seeing “an average reduction of more than 6.5 percent in incomes, while those at the top would see an increase of nearly 1.5 percent.”

Beyer, who serves as Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, issued the following statement on Yale Budget Lab’s findings:

“The Trump-Republican agenda is a massive transfer of wealth to the richest people in the country from everyone else, with the middle class losing while billionaires rake in enormous gains. As Trump’s tariffs crush working families with higher prices, Republicans are poised to raise the costs of health care, energy, and housing, while kicking 16 million people off their health care. These stunningly immoral and irresponsible policies inflict the most damage on those with the least ability to absorb it, and severely worsen the danger of both a recession and a fiscal crisis. This is a disaster for our economy and our country.”

CHART: Combined effects of H.R. 1 as passed in the House and Trump’s tariffs (Chart by Yale Budget Lab, original may be found here):

The regressive distributional effects are the effect of regressive policy. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities analysis found the House-passed H.R. 1 “would cut health coverage by over $1 trillion and SNAP by nearly $300 billion, while giving the wealthy $1.6 trillion in tax cuts.”

The net effect of these policies is a drag on the economy. Goldman Sachs finds “the hit to growth from tariffs will more than offset the boost to growth from” the House-passed Republican tax bill.

Chart via Goldman Sachs Global Investment Research

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — In a high-profile House Armed Services Committee hearing today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) confronted Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth over what she called “months of dangerous dysfunction and incompetence” at the Department of Defense. 

Just five months into Hegseth’s tenure, Sherrill laid out a searing case against his operational, managerial, and budgetary failures that are undermining national security and putting our service members at risk. And Hegseth failed to substantively answer any of Rep. Sherrill’s questions.

Click here to listen to Sherrill’s full remarks. 

Full remarks, as delivered:

Rep. Sherrill:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Secretary Hegseth, Chairman Caine, thank you both for being here today. Mr. Secretary. Your testimony over the last several days before Congress, I’ve heard you speak about all of your supposed accomplishments from your time at the Pentagon. I have to say, your training at Fox News has let you spin months of dangerous dysfunction and incompetence into catchy phrases like restoring the warrior ethos and increasing lethality.

But the truth is, it’s really been chaos at the Pentagon under your leadership. You’ve clearly shown you’re unable to manage the Department of Defense. But what I’m most concerned about are three specific areas: Your operational incompetence, your managerial incompetence, and your budgetary incompetence. So let’s start with operational. According to news reports, in your first week on the job, you got confused in a National Security Council meeting and thought President Trump wanted you to stop all aid to Ukraine.

In a well-functioning administration, you would have asked for clarification before making that seismic policy shift, but instead you ordered vital military aid heading to the frontlines turned around, costing the U.S. millions of dollars and depriving Ukrainian soldiers of equipment they needed to fight Russia. So, Mr. Secretary, can you explain how exactly you misunderstood such a monumental presidential order?

Secretary Hegseth:
One of many fake news headlines we’ve dealt with.

Rep. Sherrill:
So President Trump told you to halt military aid to Ukraine on January 30th.

Secretary Hegseth:
As is often the case, highly ideological and very ill informed reporters love to speculate about things they know nothing about, in order to spear President Trump and myself.

Rep. Sherrill:
So it sounds like actually the reporting is correct, because I will say if it wasn’t, why if it wasn’t a mistake, why did aid restart only a few days later?

Secretary Hegseth
Again, we would take complete issue with what would some call reporting and others call a hatchet job.

Rep. Sherrill:
So why did aid start just a couple days later?

Secretary Hegseth:
I’m saying the reporting is inaccurate, ma’am.

Rep. Sherrill:
I don’t think that’s correct. So let’s move on to your managerial incompetence. I think we can see why you misunderstood the president because you’re obviously misunderstanding my questions. Less than a month into the job, you fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs, CQ Brown, and the Chief of Naval Operations, Lisa Franchetti, without cause. And to this day, you still have not provided an adequate explanation for removing them.

As far as I can tell, you fired CQ Brown because he was Black and Lisa Franchetti because she is a woman. So nearly four months later, we still don’t have a new nominee for Chief of Naval Operations. News reports, and you can contest it, but I’d love to hear your answer, say that you haven’t nominated someone because qualified admirals keep turning the position down.

So tell me, Mr. Secretary, when will Congress receive your nomination for the next Chief of Naval Operations?

Secretary Hegseth:
Ma’am, with all due respect, I would suggest not believing every headline you read.

Rep. Sherrill:
With all due respect, I’d like your nomination. When will we see it?

Secretary Hegseth:
There is not a single admiral or any military official has turned down a position that’s been–

Rep. Sherrill:
So when will we see your nominee for the Chief of Naval Operations?

Secretary Hegseth:
In due time, for all the right reasons.

Rep. Sherrill:
Again, I think we’ve seen the managerial incompetence. Okay, let’s move on to budgetary incompetence. You missed the deadline to submit a draft defense budget to Congress, which makes it impossible for us to complete our work on the NDAA or appropriations. It makes it more likely you’ll receive delays in funding you need for new acquisitions programs, and other priorities.

Additionally, you’re blowing money on poorly conceived operations and vanity projects. For President Trump, retrofitting the Qatari jet to serve as Air Force One will cost about $400 million. The parade in DC this weekend will cost upwards of $40 million. Your bombing campaign in Yemen cost about 1 billion, and a week later they were having missile strikes in Israel.

Your operations in LA will cost tens of millions of dollars, and you claim to be cutting costs at the Pentagon. But all I see are wasted dollars better spent addressing our most pressing threats like China. So, Mr. Secretary, what priorities have you cut funding for to pay for these projects?

Secretary Hegseth:
Ma’am, I would just say your list, left off securing the southern border.

Rep. Sherrill:
So, Mr. Secretary, what priorities have you cut funding for to pay for these projects?

Secretary Hegseth:
We make trade offs every day, and I would imagine what we want to spend on is quite different than what the previous administration did. Changes quickly and they’re reflected in this budget. And we’re very proud of them.

Rep. Sherrill : 
I think the American people can see why I’m so concerned about this incompetence. Thank you. And I yield back.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement denouncing the Trump Administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department through their indictment of Representative LaMonica McIver (NJ-10):

“This indictment against Rep. McIver is extreme and purely political. The Trump DOJ is weaponizing the justice system to go after a Member of Congress for doing their job. 

“Every Member has a constitutional right to conduct oversight. That means the right to inspect a federal facility on behalf of their constituents. I will continue to stand with Rep. McIver because this sham prosecution is an attempt to intimidate Congress and stop us from holding Trump accountable.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11), a former Navy helicopter pilot, joined fellow veterans in Congress to launch the Democratic Veterans Caucus — a new effort formed in response to alarming national security breaches at the Department of Defense, growing global threats, and ongoing attacks on veterans’ health care.

The launch comes at a critical moment. The Trump Administration and House Republicans are pushing deep cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — programs that serve as lifelines for millions of Americans, including 1.2 million veterans and their families.

“Veterans served this country with honor and sacrifice. They kept their promises to defend our freedom, and now it’s our duty to keep our promises to them,” said Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill. “As a former Navy helicopter pilot, I am disgusted by the Trump Administration’s decision to cut their health care and food assistance to pay for tax breaks for billionaires. It is a betrayal not just of our veterans, but of the values this nation stands for. This caucus was formed to unite those of us who have worn the uniform and to fight back against these attacks. I will continue to stand in the breach to protect the care and services our veterans have earned.”

Members of the Democratic Veterans Caucus Include:

• Rep. Salud Carbajal (CA) – Marine Corps Reserve 
• Rep. Gil Cisneros (CA) – Navy 
• Rep. Herb Conaway (NJ) – Air Force 
• Rep. Jason Crow (CO) – Army 
• Rep. Don Davis (NC) – Air Force 
• Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA) – Navy 
• Rep. Jared Golden (ME) – Marine Corps 
• Rep. Maggie Goodlander (NH) – Navy Reserve
• Rep. Chrissy Houlahan (PA) – Air Force 
• Rep. Ted Lieu (CA) – Air Force 
• Rep. Seth Moulton (MA) – Marine Corps 
• Rep. Jimmy Panetta (CA) – Navy Reserve 
• Rep. Pat Ryan (NY) – Army 
• Rep. Bobby Scott (VA) – Army 
• Rep. Mikie Sherrill (NJ) – Navy
• Rep. Mike Thompson (CA) – Army 
• Rep. Derek Tran (CA) – Army 
• Rep. Eugene Vindman (VA) – Army 

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

The federal funding for National Heritage Areas was signed into law by President Trump in March but has not been delivered, with no explanation

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter leads letter calling for state management of red snapper fisheries

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) led members of the Georgia House Republican delegation in a letter to Department of Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick calling for state management of red snapper and other reef fish species in the South Atlantic.

The letter expresses “strong support” for governors’ request to grant an Exempted Fishing Permit, allowing for state management of red snapper and other reef fish in the South Atlantic. According to the Congressional Sportsmen Foundation, red snapper populations are the healthiest in history, rendering unnecessary the current burdensome and overreaching policy of the federal government to severely restrict recreational fishing.

In the letter, the members write: “Georgia’s recreational fishing industry has long struggled under federal fisheries data that limit access and impose heavy-handed restrictions, often set by bureaucrats far removed from our coastal communities. State management, as proposed, would empower Georgia to tailor conservation and fishing policies to local needs, mirroring the successful Gulf of America model where state oversight allows for 127 fishing days.”

The members continue, “We urge the Department of Commerce to work with the administration to cut federal red tape and grant Georgia, alongside Florida and South Carolina, authority to manage these fisheries.”

Members signing the letter include: Austin Scott (R-GA), Mike Collins (R-GA), Rick Allen (R-GA), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Brian Jack (R-GA), and Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA).

Read the full letter to the Department of Commerce here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

Speaker Johnson Postpones Address to the Israeli Knesset

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today Representative Rick Larsen, Co-Chair of the Congressional Soccer Caucus, released the following statement about the impact of President Trump’s travel ban on World Cup 2026:

“I want World Cup 2026 to be a showcase of great soccer, and everything that’s great about the United States. 

“Yet, as a life-long soccer player and big soccer fan, I can say the United States is perilously close to being unwelcoming to all soccer fans who want to come here for the single largest sporting event in the world.

“At this point, it seems like Iranian fans may be the only ones directly prevented from coming to the U.S. to support their national team because of the travel ban, although the World Cup hopes of Haiti and Sudan are still up in the air.

“However, the Trump administration needs to devote resources to consular services worldwide so soccer fans are not prevented from attending because of slow processing times for required visas.

“A bigger issue going forward will be the Olympics in 2028, when fans from many more countries, including those covered by the ban, will be coming to support their athletes.

“I know the White House Task Force on the World Cup is aware of these issues. It must ensure that federal agencies are doing their job to ensure fans from all participating nations are welcome.

“Go USA!”

Rep. Larsen’s statement was featured on CNN’s Inside Politics with Manu Raju. 

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

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) and Don Beyer (VA-08) today reintroduced the Choose Medicare Act, a bold proposal to open Medicare to all Americans with a new “Part E” and builds on the system we have today by allowing Medicare to compete with private health insurance. U.S. Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) have introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

“I got pneumonia when I was seven years old, and my family almost went bankrupt because we were uninsured. Today too many families are still one medical emergency away from financial crisis,” said Rep. Gomez. “Our bicameral legislation lets every American opt into Medicare — which is affordable, effective, and trusted — and we’re going to keep fighting until everyone has access to the care they need.”

“Our bill would give all Americans access to Medicare, one of the most popular and successful health care delivery programs in history,” said Rep. Beyer. “Allowing employers and the general public the option to choose Medicare would fill many of the gaps in our health care system, get more people covered, and make the nation healthier. Every American should be able to access affordable, quality health care, and this bill represents the kind of bold action required to make that a reality for all.”

The Choose Medicare Act is cosponsored by Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), and Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL). The bill is supported by Families USA, MoveOn, American Federation of Teachers, the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and the Center for Health and Democracy.

Medicare “Part E” is a new health insurance option designed to pay for itself through premiums. It would be available on all state and federal health insurance marketplaces, and people could use their current Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to help pay for it. Employers could also choose this option instead of private insurance to cover their workers.

The Choose Medicare Act:

• Increases Access, Competition, and Choice

• Open Medicare to employers of any size, allowing them to offer Medicare Part E to their employees without getting rid of their current insurance plans.
• Ensures the same strong protections apply to everyone, no matter where they get their health insurance, and bans discrimination against people with pre-existing conditions.

• Provides Comprehensive Coverage
• Covers the ACA’s 10 essential health benefits, plus everything regular Medicare covers.
• Provides high-quality, gold-level coverage and cost-sharing.
• Guarantees access to a full range of reproductive health services, including abortion.
• Improves Affordability

• Sets a cap on how much people can pay out-of-pocket in traditional Medicare.
• Expands help with premiums so more people qualify, no matter their income.
• Allows Medicare to negotiate better prices for prescription drugs.
• Helps lower private insurance premiums by increasing competition with Medicare.
• Protects people in Part E plans from surprise medical bills, just like in traditional Medicare.

Full text of the Choose Medicare Act can be found by clicking here.