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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) led the Washington delegation in celebrating the Seattle Seahawks’ historic Super Bowl LX victory by introducing a congressional resolution. 
 
“There’s no team more deserving of this year’s Super Bowl victory than the Seahawks. As our community and the nation watched this year’s game, it was clear from the onset that our Dark Side defense would stop at nothing to hold the Patriots back while Walker, Myers, Darnold, and our offense fought to clinch the win. This victory was 11 years in the making, and the 12s should savor every moment of it,” said DelBene.  
 
DelBene was joined by Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Michael Baumgartner (WA-05), Emily Randall (WA-06), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Adam Smith (WA-09), and Marilyn Strickland (WA-10). 
 
The text of the resolution is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement after the Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that, effective March 1, green card holders would no longer be eligible to apply for its primary small business loan programs. 

“This decision unfairly targets immigrant communities and will harm not only immigrant small business owners, but the American economy as a whole.

“In the San Gabriel Valley and across the country, immigrant entrepreneurs fuel our local economies. They work hard, pay taxes, and employ millions of people across the nation – including countless American citizens. But under the Trump administration’s new rule, even if 1% of a business is owned by a non-citizen, it would be ineligible for an SBA 7(a) or 504 loan. 

“For so many, access to capital is what makes it possible to start a business, keep the doors open, and keep workers employed. And programs like 504, 7(a), and the Community Advantage program, which I’ve long championed because it specifically supports loans and technical assistance to the most underserved small businesses, ensure that underinvested communities are not left behind by traditional banks. And crucially, these loans are not a handout because the programs operate with zero subsidy, meaning they do not cost the taxpayer a dime. 

“This is not just bad policy. It reflects a broader pattern of singling out immigrant communities for punishment at the expense of citizens and noncitizens alike. It is xenophobic, economically reckless, and a betrayal of the very promise of opportunity that defines the American Dream. And, it will cause businesses to close their doors and more people to lose their jobs.”

This change further tightens SBA’s December 19^th guidance, which made businesses with more than 5% ownership by a foreign national, green card holder, or U.S. citizen living abroad ineligible for these loan programs. That guidance also eliminated all eligibility for businesses with any ownership by Chinese nationals, which include many Chinese American immigrants who have lived in the United States for decades. 

The Facts:

• Immigrants start new enterprises at twice the rate of U.S.-born residents. Immigrant-owned businesses are also more likely than others to create jobs and hire employees.
• Nationwide, more than 3 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander owned businesses employ 5.2 million people and generate nearly $1 trillion in annual sales. Additionally, over 5 million Hispanic-owned businesses contribute $800 billion to the U.S. economy each year.
• California is home to the most immigrant-owned businesses, with 829,369 immigrant entrepreneurs.
• In the San Gabriel Valley, Asian Americans own nearly 82,000 businesses, playing a critical role in the region’s economy. Together, Asian American–owned businesses in the region, issue over $2.7 billion in annual payroll.
• In FY 2024, the SBA supported 8,900 loans to Asian-owned businesses totaling $7.2 billion, representing a 70 percent increase in the number of Asian-owned firms funded since fiscal year 2020

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative John R Carter (R-TX-31)

Congressman John Carter Secures Funding to Expand Rural Health Care Access at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls

Marble Falls, Texas — Congressman John Carter announced that he secured federal funding to support the purchase of a new computerized tomography (CT) scanner and contrast injector at Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls, a critical investment that will expand access to lifesaving diagnostic care for patients across rural Central Texas.

Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls serves as the only full-service community hospital across a 3,800-square-mile rural service area and plays a vital role in emergency, trauma, and specialty care for Burnet County and surrounding communities.

“In rural communities, access to timely medical care can make all the difference,” said Congressman Carter. “When someone shows up in the emergency room with a serious injury or stroke symptoms, they shouldn’t have to wait longer for imaging or be sent miles away for care. This investment helps make sure families here can get the care they need, when they need it, close to home.”

“Baylor Scott & White – Marble Falls is deeply grateful for Congressman Carter’s leadership in strengthening healthcare in Central Texas. We truly appreciate his help in securing federal funding for advanced imaging equipment,” said Tim Ols, president, Baylor Scott & White Medical Center – Marble Falls. “As a not‑for‑profit hospital serving the Highland Lakes region, we see firsthand the unique challenges rural communities face in accessing care. This investment in new equipment reflects our shared commitment to helping our neighbors continue receiving the timely, high‑quality medical services they depend on.”

The funding will support the purchase of a new CT scanner and contrast injector, expanding the hospital’s imaging capacity and reducing strain on its existing equipment. The new scanner is expected to serve more than 2,500 patients in its first year and over 5,400 patients annually within four years, while also strengthening the hospital’s Level IV trauma emergency department.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative John R Carter (R-TX-31)

Congressman John Carter Secures $9.68 Million for Connell Street Widening and Reconstruction Project in Belton

Belton, Texas — Congressman John Carter announced that he secured $9,680,000 in federal funding to support the Connell Street Widening and Reconstruction Project, a major infrastructure investment aimed at improving safety, reducing congestion, and supporting continued growth in Belton.

Connell Street serves as a key north–south corridor for the community and plays an important role in daily travel for families, businesses, and first responders.

“Roads are one of those things people notice immediately when they’re not working — when traffic backs up, when intersections feel unsafe, or when growth outpaces infrastructure,” said Congressman Carter. “This project is about fixing problems before they get worse and making sure Connell Street keeps up with the people who rely on it every day. I’m proud to work alongside local partners who are planning ahead and taking care of their community. When projects like this get put off, they only get more expensive — and today, we’re making sure that doesn’t happen.”

“Belton is one of the communities I’m proud to represent and call home. As our region continues to grow, we have to stay ahead of the transportation challenges that come with it. Expanding and reconstructing Connell Street will strengthen an existing alternative to I-35 and help keep our community moving as major projects like the I-14 Extension Project moves forward,” said Representative Hickland. “I’m very grateful to the City of Belton for their continued advocacy on behalf of our community, and to Congressman Carter for securing funding for this critical project and for his tireless advocacy for Central Texas and the communities that make this region a great place to live.”

The City of Belton completed the planning and design work for the project, positioning it to move forward once funding became available. Through the Community Project Funding process, Congressman Carter was able to secure federal support to help bring the project across the finish line.

The project will widen Connell Street from two lanes to four lanes and includes roadway reconstruction, drainage improvements, updated traffic signals, sidewalks, and a shared-use path to improve pedestrian and bicycle safety. The corridor also serves as an alternate route to Interstate 35, helping relieve pressure on the region’s busiest roadway.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, February 10, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “Building a Solid Foundation: Restoring Trust and Transparency in Public Housing Agencies.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

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

Headline: Carter, Allen, Bishop introduce bipartisan fix to hurricane insurance program for farmers

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), alongside Reps. Rick Allen (R-GA) and Sanford Bishop (D-GA), today introduced the Farmers’ AID Relief Act, amending the Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index (HIP-WI) program to better serve farmers affected by hurricane damage.

The HIP-WI program is a wind-based insurance option managed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and designed to protect farmers impacted by hurricanes. The program relies on storm-tracking data systems to determine eligibility for the program; however, those systems are vulnerable to inaccuracies, leaving many farmers who experienced significant crop losses without federal protection.  

For example, during Hurricane Helene, the data used for HIP-WI showed the storm traveling through the middle of Georgia. In reality, Helene shifted east, causing widespread damage to farms in the southeast and eastern parts of Georgia. Unfortunately, USDA is required to use the inaccurate data set when determining HIP-WI eligibility, causing unnecessary financial hardship for Georgia’s farmers.

The Farmers’ AID Relief Act updates HIP-WI so the program better reflects real-world storm paths and protects farmers affected by damage.

“By enacting this common-sense fix to the HIP-WI program, farmers will be adequately insured and protected against hurricanes that ravage crop yields. We must learn from the failures of Hurricane Helene and protect our farmers from future losses,” said Rep. Carter. “Agriculture is Georgia’s number one industry, and amending this program will strengthen food security and protect our farmers who feed the nation.”

“After the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene, many of Georgia’s farmers were unfairly denied the relief they needed and deserved. The Farmers’ AID Relief Act directs the USDA Secretary to expand the data considered and identify alternative methods for determining eligibility for indemnity payments under the Hurricane Insurance Protection–Wind Index endorsement. I am proud to co-lead this bill and will continue working diligently to deliver real solutions for our farmers,” said Rep. Allen.

“I am glad to work with Congressman Carter and Congressman Allen to introduce today’s bill which will apply the lessons we learned from Hurricane Helene so that when the next storm hits us, we are better prepared to help farmers in need,” said Rep. Bishop. “When an area is hit by a storm, the Hurricane Insurance Protection – Wind Index, or HIP-WI, is used to determine if agricultural producers can get a portion of the deductible for underlying crop insurance covered as part of disaster relief. When storms knock out the weather monitoring equipment used to measure HIP-WI, we want to make sure our producers are not left behind because these crucial data systems may be down.”

“This legislation ensures that when hurricanes strike and official weather data falters, reliable numbers from trusted sources step in to guarantee that insured farmers aren’t left stranded. It strengthens the promise of the program by providing a commonsense safeguard so Georgia farmers can count on fair assistance when storms hit hardest. We appreciate Congressman Carter’s continued focus on this issue and wholeheartedly encourage its expedited progress towards becoming law,” said Tom McCall, President, Georgia Farm Bureau.

This bill will:

• Direct the Secretary of Agriculture to create an alternate dataset for HIP-WI determinations to be used in the event of an incomplete data set.

• Set uniform standards for the collection and use of the alternate data set. 

Read full bill text here.

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

Today, Rep. Larsen released the following statement about actions within the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bills to combat the opioid epidemic in Northwest Washington:

“The opioid crisis has devastated families and communities in Northwest Washington, and while we have made progress reducing deaths and disrupting trafficking, there is more to be done,” said Rep. Larsen. “I have worked with my colleagues in Congress to bring home federal dollars to fund addiction recovery, public safety and law enforcement locally. I will keep fighting for legislative solutions to combat the opioid epidemic and save lives in our communities.”

Larsen Secures Local Public Safety Wins

This month, bipartisan legislation to improve public safety in Northwest Washington became law, which included:

·       $964 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which provides funding for regional drug task forces that help Washington state communities fight the opioid epidemic;

·       $800 million for Community Oriented Policing Services Grants, which award funds to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement;

·       $720 million for the Violence Against Women Act, which provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with lifesaving legal services and transitional housing to help rebuild their lives;

·       $540 million for the Legal Services Corporation, which provides legal assistance to low-income families, seniors, and women fleeing domestic abuse;

·       $298.5 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program, which provides funding for intelligence sharing and coordination across federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement;

·       $1.4 billion for International Narcotics Control, which funds efforts to combat the international drug trade and keep drugs from reaching the United States;

·       $109 million for Drug Free Communities (DFC), which funds community-based coalitions with the goal of preventing youth substance use;

·       $82 million for STOP School Violence Act programs, which support school violence prevention, suicide prevention, and mental health crisis intervention programming;

·       $7.4 billion for Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which is the primary federal agency responsible for supporting community-based mental health and substance abuse treatment and prevention services and funds the 988 Suicide Prevention Lifeline;

o   After the Trump administration abruptly cut nearly $2 billion in SAMHSA grants, including seven Health Care Authority-administered grants in Washington state, Rep. Larsen worked with both Democrats and Republicans to demand that the funding be reinstated. The Trump administration reversed their decision less than 24 hours later.

·       $600,000 for Whatcom County Sheriff Office’s Portable Radio Replacement Project, which will support the purchase of new portable radios to replace outdated radios that are failing, allowing deputies to communicate clearly with dispatch and each other; and

·       $1.5 million for the Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Services of Whatcom County to preserve and renovate the Douglas Building so that it can serve more survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Representative Larsen requested funding for this project in the FY26 spending package.

Larsen Leads Fight against Opioid Crisis in Northwest Washington