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

House Republican leaders today secured the defeat of the ROTOR Act, aviation safety reform legislation drafted in response to last year’s fatal accident in the skies above DCA that claimed 67 lives. As family members of victims looked on from the House Gallery, Speaker Mike Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Majority Whip Tom Emmer all voted against the legislation, along with other members of the House GOP leadership team. They closed the vote as members were still arriving in the Chamber; when the gavel came down, the bill was just three votes short of passage.

Rep. Don Beyer, who represents a Northern Virginia district that includes National Airport (DCA), said:

“Mike Johnson and everyone on his leadership team should be ashamed of the way they treated the families of the victims of this tragic accident. The ROTOR Act passed unanimously in the Senate, and its opponents in the Department of Defense and Republican leadership had ample time to raise potential issues in a constructive manner. Instead, they chose to wait until these families had flown in from all over the country to honor their loved ones to inflict a shocking and heartbreaking defeat on them in person.

“The National Transportation Safety Board’s final recommendations on its investigation of the collision made clear that having access to Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) In technology would have given the pilots a fighting chance at avoiding the collision. They recommended these fixes 17 times, dating back years before last January’s accident. The families of the victims said repeatedly that the ROTOR Act was the most important and urgent legislative response to that accident that claimed the lives of their loved ones. It is one thing to oppose the bill that makes these reforms, but engineering its surprise defeat as the family members looked on from the gallery, voting against it, and even closing the vote as Members were still voting is needlessly underhanded and disgraceful.

“We need the safety reforms in the ROTOR Act, and today’s vote shows that these reforms have the support of large, bipartisan majorities in both chambers. Committee leaders must take prompt action to resolve differences without further delay. My heart goes out to the family members who were just put through new anguish entirely unnecessarily, and they will have my support as we work to fix this. We cannot and will not let this disgusting failure be the final word – the families deserve better, and the country deserves better.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

“Tonight, we heard nothing new from Donald Trump—it was a long speech where he said nothing. It was a total regurgitation of the same lies we have heard from him since day one.

“The American people don’t need a two-hour lecture from Donald Trump about the State of the Union. They live it. They see it at the grocery store and every time they open a utility bill. They feel it every day. No amount of demented rambling can cover up the reality that his economic policies are screwing over everyday people so he can take care of his millionaire and billionaire donors. His illegal tariffs are raising the cost of everything, and his economy sucks.

“This Administration always finds time for another tax break, another loophole, another giveaway if you’re rich and powerful. That’s exactly what he did in his Big Ugly Bill. But if you’re a worker trying to keep up with rent, a parent struggling with childcare costs, or a senior deciding which prescription to skip this month—the White House doesn’t care about you at all.

“He claimed he’s lowered health care costs and prescription drug prices. That’s a lie. He’s done the opposite—ripping coverage away, gutting Medicare and Medicaid, and pushing costs onto seniors, people with disabilities, and working families who already can’t afford one more hit.

“The President said Americans are safer than we’ve ever been. Another lie. At home, people are watching on social media while American citizens get shot by federal officers. Abroad, our allies can’t trust us, and our enemies are laughing at us.

“Above all, the President spent tonight laying out a dystopian vision for our future: a country where the rich get richer, the economy is rigged for those at the top, and the truth gets buried. He’s turned the presidency into a grift—public power for personal profit—padding his family’s pockets and rewarding the cronies who keep the scheme going. And because that kind of corruption can’t survive real scrutiny, he’s trying to lock in power by rigging the next election via voter suppression.

“He spewed lie after lie after lie. He lied so much, it would make Kim Jong Un blush. And Republicans applauded time after time—because they are in a cult.

“As for transparency and accountability, he did not mention the Epstein files even once, notwithstanding the fact that dozens of survivors were present in the gallery watching his speech. Just like his Attorney General, Pam Bondi, he refused to even acknowledge their presence. This Administration is collapsing under the weight of its ties to a global child rape ring—Trump’s name alone appears over 5,000 times in the Epstein documents we’ve seen so far, and we still do not have answers about what he did, what he knew, and when he knew it.

“The American people need lower costs, safer communities, and a government that works for them. Instead, tonight, the President delivered a self-worshipping propaganda reel—bragging, blaming, and lying to cover up his failures. What a pathetic joke.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1) issued the following statement after attending President Trump’s State of the Union address tonight to Congress: 

“This was the most unpresidential State of the Union I have heard. Stoking fear, inflaming prejudice, playing to division, turning American against American, refusing responsibility, undermining democracy, gaslighting the real challenges Americans face, further alienating the world.

“Most directly, the President again scoffed at affordability, as if somehow we should not believe the reality we live of unacceptably high costs of food, health care, housing, childcare, education, small business, and on and on. Mr. President, the people of Hawai‘i do not feel that life is better on your watch.

“Regardless, I will continue to work with this administration, my colleagues in Congress and anyone else who wants to find real solutions to the real challenges we face. And I will continue, as part of a separate, independent and co-equal branch of government, to oversee and check and balance the President wherever I must.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, DC – Rep. Panetta released the following statement:

“While the President said many words tonight, unfortunately very few of them spoke to real solutions for issues working families are facing. He spoke about affordability but levied illegal tariffs that raised costs for consumers and American businesses. He promised lower costs but refused to push Speaker Johnson to extend ePTCs for the Affordable Care Act, which caused healthcare premiums to skyrocket for millions of Americans. He bragged about a booming economy but more working families than ever in the 19th Congressional District are struggling to make ends meet while the richest 1% benefit from tax cuts from the One Big Beautiful Bill.

“For the State of our Union to be truly strong, we must foster an environment where all law-abiding hard-working members of our community can prosper. My guest was an immigrant advocate and community organizer with Mujeres De Acción in my district. She has experienced how White House Advisor Steven Miller and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have driven a reckless mass deportation policy with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) agents across the country. That policy and the reckless actions of those agents have harmed Americans, hurt our economy, and created fear in our immigrant communities, whose contributions continue to add to our success.

“Although the President didn’t present any legitimate bipartisan solutions tonight, we in Congress must continue to act to address the challenges facing our nation. Congress must rein in DHS agents with basic law enforcement protocols and procedures. Congress must reclaim its Constitutional authority over trade and take a stand against this Administration’s executive overreach by passing my Reclaim Trade Powers Act to repeal the President’s ability to implement tariffs under Section 122. We also must take up bipartisan legislation for comprehensive immigration reform, increase affordable housing, lower costs for healthcare, protect our environment, and invest in infrastructure.  As I have done during my time in office, I will work to hold this Administration accountable and continue to fight anybody who threatens our values, but I also will always work with anybody to deliver solutions for the people of California’s 19th Congressional District.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) released the following statement after President Trump’s State of the Union Address to Congress:

“I was honored to attend President Trump’s sixth State of the Union address, where he laid out a clear vision for America’s future and highlighted the wins his administration has achieved in just one year of his second term on reducing crime, strengthening immigration enforcement and drug interdiction, peace negotiations around the world, and affordability.

“President Trump also promised lower costs for prescription drugs and highlighted the success of reducing the taxpayer handouts to insurance companies, who are the primary beneficiary of Obamacare.

“Families across the country are seeing the results of policies that lower costs, create jobs, and restore accountability in Washington. Working families are keeping more of their hard-earned money, with Wisconsin families receiving average tax cuts of $3,177, a permanent $2,200 Child Tax Credit, and historically high refunds this year. Couple that with inflation dropping from 9% to 2.4% and mortgage rates falling to a three-year low, and we can objectively say that affordability is here and the American dream is alive and well.

“Our economy is growing, with 172,000 new private-sector jobs added in January alone, expanded incentives for American-made manufacturing, and strengthened support for small businesses that are the backbone of our communities.

“At the same time, our nation is safer and stronger. Border enforcement has been restored, catch-and-release ended, and federal overreach, including harmful DEI mandates and threats to women’s sports and parental rights, being rolled back. Taxpayer dollars are being focused on Americans who need them most, while wasteful spending on radical programs and international schemes has been cut.

“Also highlighted were some of America’s greatest heroes, from World War II veterans to the gold-medal-winning U.S. men and women’s hockey teams, as well as people who have suffered at the hands of illegal migrants.

“As the President highlighted, the welfare system in our country has become so out-of-control that fraud is rampant, criminals are not being held accountable, and Americans are being trapped in a cycle of dependency. That is why I was glad to see Vice President Vance put in charge of a new task force to tackle welfare and clean up the fraud in our bloated system.

“Two more statistics that I hope the mainstream media will report are the 67% reduction in murders in the District of Columbia and the decrease of 2.4 million people on food stamps.

“Tonight’s speech reinforced the results we are seeing and the direction this administration is taking. I look forward to continuing to work toward President Trump’s welfare agenda, cutting spending, using taxpayer dollars wisely, and delivering for Wisconsin families, and all Americans, in the months and years ahead.”

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U.S. Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah) proudly serves the people of Wisconsin’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Issues Statement Following President Trump’s State of the Union Address

Washington – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) released the following statement after President Trump delivered his State of the Union address:

“The President highlighted several real accomplishments that are strengthening our economy and improving the lives of the American people. The border is secure, violent crime is declining, fentanyl deaths are falling, gas prices are down, and wages are rising faster than inflation for the first time in five years. These are the winning issues that the President should focus on every day.

“He is right that Iran must never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon. A nuclear-armed Iran is a serious threat to America and our allies. I am glad he acknowledged the regime’s brutality, including the recent massacre of approximately 50,000 of its own people after they stood up against their government.

“I was disappointed to hear the President double down on his approach to tariffs. Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution gives tariff authority to Congress. The Supreme Court’s common-sense and straightforward ruling got it right. Broad-based tariffs are also not smart economic policy, functioning as a tax on American consumers, manufacturers, and farmers, and are unpopular nationwide by roughly two to one.”

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Tonight, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement:

“What we heard tonight were more lies from the most disgraceful president in our nation’s history. The truth is that one year in, Trump has broken virtually all the promises he made to the American people:

 

• Trump said he would end the war in Ukraine on Day 1. Today is the 4th anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
• Trump promised that after his first year, he would have cut electricity prices in half. They’re soaring across the country.
• Trump said he would restore American manufacturing jobs, but manufacturing employment has steadily declined since ‘Liberation Day.’
• Trump said he was going to secure ‘better health care for less money.’ One year later, premiums have doubled, or even tripled, for some of my constituents.

 

Like last year, I limited myself to 5 of Trump’s bald-faced lies before I walked out of his speech. This year, I lasted less than one hour.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement tonight in response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union Address:

“I have never seen someone use so many words to say so little. In his State of the Union tonight, Trump offered Americans the same thing he always does: more disdain, more confrontation, more division, more disorder. What he didn’t offer was any solution to the problems that he promised to resolve in his first year in office. Indeed, he continues to make those problems – and Americans’ lives – worse.

“America has become even less affordable in the past year. Trump’s tariffs have raised costs on everything from groceries to clothing to other household essentials, taking an average of $2,000 dollars out of the pockets of working families in Maryland’s Fifth District annually. Nearly 19,800 people in my district will lose health coverage because of the Trump Administration’s cuts to Medicaid and its decision to end the tax credits for the Affordable Care Act. If that weren’t bad enough, Republicans’ so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ gave millionaires and billionaires trillions of dollars in tax breaks, helping them get farther ahead by making working Americans fall farther behind.

“Abroad, Trump is making America into a pariah on the world stage. Instead of ending the war in Ukraine on his first day in office, he has prolonged it through his futile effort to appease Vladimir Putin. His saber rattling makes America less secure by alienating our allies and emboldening our adversaries.

“Tonight, we saw the ramblings of a president who is completely oblivious to the pain so many of our fellow citizens feel. Their approval of his handling of everything from the economy to immigration is cratering. They understand the perilous state of our union. Trump does not.”