MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Joe Neguse and Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources issued newly released budget reconciliation text. The bill now seeks to sell off between 2 and 3 million acres of land under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service—greenlighting the sale of public lands in Colorado, Alaska, Arizona, California, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.

“Colorado, like so many Western states, is proud to be home to millions of acres of treasured public lands—places people from across the country and around the world flock to for outdoor recreation and to experience the natural beauty of the outdoors. Auctioning off these lands to pay for President Trump’s radical agenda, including the prioritization of tax cuts for billionaires and big corporations, is an affront to our core values. We must continue to stand in firm opposition to any provisions that would put a for sale sign on our nation’s treasured public lands.” 

Neguse and Bennet have long partnered on efforts to protect Colorado’s public lands, including through their championing of the CORE Act–a bill that would codify protections for 420,000 acres of the state’s public land, establish new wilderness areas, and safeguard existing outdoor recreation opportunities to boost the economy for future generations.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Neguse issued the following statement regarding developments in the Middle East: 

“I continue to closely monitor the situation and developments in the Middle East, and join fellow Americans in praying for the people of Israel. Earlier this week, the United Nations’ nuclear watchdog — the International Atomic Energy Agency — declared Iran in breach of its non-proliferation obligations. A nuclear Iran would pose an undeniable threat to Israel, the United States and our allies, and Israel, like all nations, has the undeniable right to defend itself against any imminent threat. I urge the President and his administration to ensure that U.S. civilians, personnel and forces stationed across the region are protected, and will continue to support efforts to bring stability and peace to the region.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — As the once-so-called “fire season” stretches into a yearlong struggle for communities across the nation, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse is launching a new effort to improve wildfire prevention, mitigation, and management. He is introducing a package of policy proposals initially derived from a 2024 report issued by the USDA’s Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, which was created as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and tasked with outlining a holistic approach to addressing the rising threat of wildfires.

Neguse, who co-chairs the Bipartisan Wildfire Caucus, has teamed up with a bipartisan, bicameral group of federal representatives to reintroduce the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act, the Wildfire Coordination Act, and the Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act. All three bills are championed by Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego in the United States Senate and co-led by Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10) in the House of Representatives. In addition, the Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act is co-led by Congresswoman Young Kim (CA-39) and cosponsored by Congressman Jay Obernolte (CA-23). 

“During my time in Congress, Colorado has experienced four of the five largest wildfires in our state’s history—meaning that my communities, along with the state and local agencies on the frontlines, have seen firsthand the increasing strain as these fires grow more frequent and severe. I’m proud to introduce legislation, rooted in the nonpartisan work of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission, that invests in wildfire science and strengthens the long-term resilience of our communities to reduce the threat of future disasters,” said Congressman Neguse. 

“As Arizona’s wildfire seasons get longer and wildfire landscapes evolve, it is vital we have the research and coordination tools to ensure effective mitigation and management,” said Senator Gallego. “These bills will improve the working relationship between federal agencies and with their state, local, and tribal counterparts. Wildfires don’t care about jurisdictional boundaries, and these bills reflect that.”

“We’re in the middle of a yearslong megafire crisis and we can’t afford any more delays in tackling this threat,” said Congressman Harder. “Wildfires don’t care about your political party when they’re burning your house down, and neither should our solutions. America’s top firefighters and wildfire experts came together to tell us what they need to tackle the wildfire crisis, and this bipartisan package of bills is in direct response to their ideas. Our families and our communities are counting on us to get this done. 

“Last fall, my district witnessed the devastating Airport Fire, which started in Trabuco Canyon and burned through 23,000 acres in Orange and Riverside counties. As wildfires grow in frequency and intensity, our mitigation tools must keep pace,” said Congresswoman Kim. “Effective wildfire prevention requires seamless coordination, which is why we must ensure federal, state, and local first responders can share information as effectively as possible. This bipartisan bill will help identify barriers and unlock opportunities to ensure communities like mine can better prevent and respond to these disasters.”

Details on the bills are included below:

The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act provides recommendations for improving the effectiveness and efficiency of wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries by identifying gaps and opportunities in current federal rules and regulations and supporting increased collaboration.

The Wildfire Coordination Act establishes an advisory board composed of members from various federal, State, local, Tribal, and non-federal partners that will be responsible for coordinating federal wildfire research, translating it into practical applications, and developing future research.

The Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act requires a comprehensive review of the wildfire landscape in the United States every four years, outlining the changes in environments, assessing wildfire management challenges, and evaluating the intersection of wildfires and public health. This federal review will help inform the development of long-term strategies to enhance wildfire preparedness and response and strengthen interagency coordination. 

This effort is supported by 20 local and national entities and organizations, including Grand Fire Protection District No. 1, Summit County, Summit Fire and EMS Fire Protection District, Red, White, and Blue Fire Protection District, Summit County Wildfire Council, Grand County Wildfire Council, Routt County Wildfire Council, Eagle County Wildfire Collaborative, Denver Water, Grassroots Wildland Firefighters, National Federation of Federal Employees, Alliance for Wildfire Resilience, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, Federation of American Scientists, International Association of Fire Chiefs, Megafire Action, National Association of State Foresters, Rural Voices for Conservation Coalition, and Tall Timbers. The Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act and the Wildfire Risk Evaluation Act are endorsed by The Nature Conservancy.  

Quotes from endorsers can be found HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse issued the following statement in response to the federalization and deployment of National Guard troops to Los Angeles County: 

“The federalization and deployment of the National Guard — and the deployment of marines — in Los Angeles County, over the objections of the Governor of California and local officials, is deeply reckless and misguided. As the Governor has made clear, the President’s actions are a brazen abuse of power and clearly run the dangerous risk of escalating and inflaming the situation, not resolving it. All violence and lawlessness must be condemned, and those engaged in criminal activity must be held accountable. The President must reverse course — immediately — to prevent further inflammation and erosion in public trust, and his Republican supporters in Congress must join us in rejecting the Administration’s repeated instances of executive overreach and cruel immigration policies, separating families and targeting Dreamers.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation, through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), has awarded a grant of $468,426 to the City of Oneonta and Blount County to support critical infrastructure improvements at Robbins Field (FAA identifier: 20A).

The funding, allocated under the Fiscal Year 2025 Airport Improvement Program (AIP), will be used to construct a new 500-foot taxi lane at Robbins Field. This development will provide improved airfield access to a non-exclusive T-hangar area, enabling the airport to meet current federal standards and expand its capacity for general aviation services.

“Robbins Field plays an important role in the economic vitality of Oneonta, Blount County, and the greater region,” said Congressman Aderholt. “This investment in aviation infrastructure will improve safety, support local operations, and ensure the airport remains a vital asset for the community.”

The project will help enhance the operational efficiency of the airport and support future growth by creating the infrastructure necessary for additional hangar space. It reflects ongoing federal, state, and local collaboration to ensure rural and regional airports continue to serve as important transportation and economic hubs.

The grant was issued through the FAA’s FY 2025 Airport Improvement Program, which provides funding for the planning and development of public-use airports that are part of the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Whether you’re camping or floating along the Buffalo National River, fishing for bass on Lake Ouachita, or hiking rugged trails for scenic views at Hawksbill Crag, the state of Arkansas, and the Fourth District, is a haven for all who enjoy spending their free time outdoors. The Natural State boasts some of the most unique, historic, and scenic outdoor opportunities in the country. As an avid outdoorsman, it is a great honor to represent a portion of this state in Congress and advocate for commonsense, conservative legislation that promotes our state’s natural beauty – conserving it for generations to come.

This week solemnly marks the fifteenth anniversary of the catastrophic flood which struck the Albert Pike campgrounds on the Little Missouri River in remote Montgomery County, Arkansas on June 11, 2010. Twenty people lost their lives in this tragedy – children, parents, grandparents, siblings, and friends, all looking to enjoy some time away in the outdoors. Each of these individuals who lost their lives in this tragic flooding incident are still remembered today, and they will certainly never be forgotten.

Many native Arkansans will tell you that an honored pastime is enjoying the overnight campgrounds at the Albert Pike Recreation Area. Social media pages were even created to memorialize the joy camping at these sites have brought to generations of Arkansans as well as citizens from other states enjoying our beautiful Arkansas federal lands – encouraging members to post about stories or pictures from memorable experiences. This community of support is why, when the U.S. Forest Service suspended overnight camping following the flooding, limiting the use of the recreation area to daytime use, many Arkansans expressed their dismay at the news that their overnight camping experiences would be put on hold.

Following the closures, scores of tourists and locals urged legislators at the local, state, and federal levels to reopen the campgrounds. It became clear that federal action was needed to restore access and provide opportunities for locals and tourists to enjoy this beloved area once again. That’s why it was an honor to introduce the EXPLORE Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation aiming to improve outdoor recreation opportunities and access to public lands across the country – including the Albert Pike Recreation Area. 

Within the EXPLORE Act, there were several measures directly impacting the Albert Pike Recreation Area such as safely reopening any existing campsites located outside of the 100-year flood plain, which is the land area with a 1% chance of flooding annually. In addition to these openings, the bill instructs the finding of fifty-four areas that could be suitable for overnight camping and establishing at least twenty-seven brand new overnight camping locations outside of the designated 100-year flood plain, with access to electricity and water, all to ensure the rehabilitation necessary to make publicly accessible areas available year-round.

As we head into the summer months, there is no doubt Arkansans will be taking advantage of the Natural State’s abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. Serving friends and family across the Fourth District is the honor of a lifetime, and I will undoubtedly continue to work to expand access to outdoor recreation from hiking and biking trails, to camping, and boating – connecting Arkansans deeper to the land they love so dearly.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

WASHINGTON – Rep. Tom McClintock (R-CA) introduced the Open America’s Waters Act today to deregulate America’s coastal trade and alleviate the energy crisis by repealing the outdated Jones Act.  U.S. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. Senate.

“The Jones Act is outdated in a global economy.  It enriches a very small special interest at the expense of every consumer in America,” said Rep. McClintock. “Repealing this restrictive and counterproductive law is vital for the new golden age that President Trump has envisioned.” 

“Outdated regulations from the Jones Act have deepened the energy crisis and heightened prices for Americans on goods from our own country,” said Senator Mike Lee. “American producers have been forced into dangerous workarounds like importing their energy resources from Russia. The Open America’s Waters Act will cut this 105-year-old red tape to alleviate the energy crisis, bring prices down for Americans, and protect our national security from adversarial nations.”

Background:

The Open America’s Waters Act would repeal the Jones Act, an outdated and particularly demanding regulation on America’s coastal trade. The Jones Act requires all goods transported by water between U.S. ports to be carried on a vessel that was constructed and registered in the U.S., and is both owned and primarily crewed by U.S. citizens. 

While these requirements were originally touted in 1920 as necessary for America’s national security, they have actually endangered it by severely limiting access to critical energy sources and incentivizing American companies to contract with adversarial nations in their efforts to comply with its stipulations. Additionally, the elevated costs associated with compliance result in higher prices for Americans on goods produced in their own country.

Attempts to comply with the Jones Act have forced American producers to choose expensive and even politically risky transportation options. For example, cattle ranchers in Hawaii have opted for expensive planes rather than boats to transport cattle to the mainland. Puerto Rico imports jet fuel from Venezuela – benefitting the human rights-violating Maduro regime – rather than nearby Gulf Coast refineries. And because there are no compliant specialty carriers capable of transporting LNG or propane gas, Massachusetts and Puerto Rico have had to import LNG from adversarial Russia.

The Open America’s Waters Act would repeal the outdated Jones Act regulations to cut red tape for American producers, improve national security by disincentivizing contracts with adversarial nations, and bring down prices for American consumers.

The Open America’s Waters Act would:

•    Repeal the 105-year-old Jones Act regulations requiring all goods transported by water between U.S. ports to be carried on a vessel: (1) Constructed in the U.S., (2) Registered in the U.S., (3) Owned by U.S. Citizens, and (4) Primarily crewed by U.S. citizens.

The House legislation is H.R. 3940.

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

Washington, D.C. – As the Trump Administration continues unconstitutional deportations, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Rep. Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) have introduced the Police not ICE Act of 2025 to prohibit immigration officers from wearing any clothing bearing the word “police.” The bill would apply to entities like Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP). 

“Our local law enforcement have asked me to make this change because it is eroding the trust they have built with our immigrant communities and it’s hurting their ability to keep our community safe,” said Thompson. “Suggesting ICE officers are members of local law enforcement undermines the relationships immigrant communities have established with police departments. Crimes may go unreported because victims fear they or their loved ones could be reported to immigration officials. Witnesses may not come forward for fear of being reported. This weakens public safety and undercuts local law enforcement. I’m glad to work with Rep. Velázquez to introduce legislation to end this practice.”

“Due to Trump’s unconstitutional decisions, immigrant communities live in fear of one day being deported and never seeing their family members again,” said Velázquez. “While we resist the threat of raids and mass deportations, it’s equally important to curb actions that fuel distrust between law enforcement and immigrant communities, like ICE agents posing as local police officers.”

The Police not ICE Act of 2025 is co-sponsored by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX), Rep. Eleanor Holmes-Norton (D-DC), Rep. Luz Rivas (D-CA), and Rep. Sylvia Garcia (D-TX).

Find the full bill text here.

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

Washington, D.C- Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement on the escalation in L.A. and detainment of Senator Padilla:

“This is crazy. This administration has not communicated with members of congress, they have not communicated with the State of California, and they have not communicated with local law enforcement. Senator Padilla was carrying out his duties as a representative of our state when he demanded answers on these indiscriminate ICE raids and militarization of the streets of L.A. To detain him was anti-democratic. The President and his administration have taken a peaceful protest and escalated it into an extremely dangerous situation. It’s clear the President is inciting this chaos to scare immigrants, silence dissent from Americans and to distract from his disastrous bill slashing health care and food assistance for millions and delivering tax breaks to the wealthiest people on earth. President Trump: End this now.”

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

Washington – Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA-04) today joined Senator Peter Welch (D-VT)and Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA) to introduce the Bicycle Commuter Act of 2025, bicameral legislation that would reinstate and expand the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program’s non-taxable bicycle commuter benefit to encourage more Americans to bike to work.  

“Cycling is efficient, low-cost, and low-impact on our roads and the environment — in other words, it’s good for you and for our planet. Encouraging people to bike to work just makes sense,” said Thompson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Bike Caucus. “I’m glad to work with Senators Welch and Padilla on this bicameral legislation restoring and modernizing bike commuters’ tax benefits.”

“The perks of biking to work are tenfold–saving commuters money, providing health benefits, and helping reduce emissions. An increasing number of Vermonters have recognized those benefits, with the number of cycling commuters doubling in the Green Mountain State in the past decade. But there’s more that we can do to strengthen biking infrastructure to help more folks around the country enjoy the advantages of cycling to work,” said Senator Welch. “Our bicameral legislation will reinstate and modernize the bicycling tax benefit to encourage more commuters around the country to get to work by riding a bicycle.” 

“Biking to work is good for our planet, our health, and our wallets,” said Senator Padilla. “The Bicycle Commuter Act would allow cyclists to take advantage of the same tax benefits that incentivize hardworking Americans to commute via public transit or carpool, while also helping keep our air clean and reduce congestion on our roads. It would also expand these commuter tax benefits to e-bikes, bikeshares, and certain scooters, further encouraging bike ridership and putting money back in the pockets of workers.”

In 2009, Congress created the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program to encourage more workers to bike to their jobs by allowing employers to offer a non-taxable reimbursement of up to $20 per month for expenses related to bicycle commuting. However, employees who elected to participate in the program were forced to forfeit other commuter benefits, such as those provided for parking or transit. The non-taxable bicycle commuter benefit was suspended until 2026 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017, eliminating this vital financial incentive for employees who bike to work.  

The Bicycle Commuter Act of 2025 would modernize the Bicycle Benefit Subsidy Program to ensure cyclists can access pre-tax commuter benefits similar to those available for parking and public transit and allow recipients to claim the bicycle benefit in tandem with other commuter benefits. The bicameral legislation would also allow electric bicycles and bikeshare and scootershare services to be eligible for the benefit. 

The Bicycle Commuter Act is supported by the Association for Commuter Transportation, League of American Bicyclists, North American Bikeshare and Scootershare Association, PeopleForBikes, Rails to Trails Conservancy, Safe Routes Partnership, and Sierra Club. 

Read and download the full text of the bill.