Díaz-Balart’s FY 2027 NSRP Bill Approved by House Appropriations Committee

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

NSRP Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart said, “Responsible spending and a clear focus on national security have guided our work in this subcommittee over the past several years. The Fiscal Year 2027 NSRP legislation builds on that approach by advancing key national interests and ensuring disciplined use of taxpayer dollars. With the committee advancing this legislation, we are moving forward in our effort to strengthen U.S. security while maintaining responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars.

This progress has been possible thanks to the leadership of Chairman Tom Cole and the continued support of my colleagues. Together, we have achieved an $11.7 billion reduction in total spending since Republicans took control, reaffirming our commitment to the American people–– putting U.S. interests first, strengthening accountability, and directing every dollar toward a clear purpose.”

Chairman Tom Cole (R-OK) said, “The world is not standing still – and neither will American leadership. The FY27 NSRP bill delivers a decisive response with a disciplined, results-driven strategy that prioritizes the safety, strength, and prosperity of the United States. It draws a clear line: no more unfocused spending, no more blank checks, and no more policies that fail to deliver. We are directing resources to the highest-impact national security and economic priorities, reinforcing our alliances, and pushing back decisively against adversaries like Communist China and Iran. By cutting wasteful programs and demanding accountability from our partners, this legislation ensures every investment is used with purpose. Under Chairman Díaz-Balart’s leadership, we are putting America first and asserting strength where it matters most. With our third bill reported out of full committee, we are continuing to move with purpose – and advancing Article I and the mandate of our great nation.”

FISCAL YEAR 2027 NATIONAL SECURITY, DEPARTMENT OF STATE, AND RELATED PROGRAMS APPROPRIATIONS BILL

The National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act provides a total discretionary allocation of $47.32 billion, which is $2.69 billion (6%) below the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted level and continues to deliver on the America First agenda.

Within the total cuts, the NSRP bill maintains robust funding for our allies like Israel, Jordan, Egypt, and Taiwan, and counters adversaries like Communist China, Iran, Venezuela, Cuba, and drug cartels, including those designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. The bill supports the President’s vision to refocus and realign foreign policy to make America safer, stronger, and more prosperous, while ensuring all funds are spent consistent with relevant Executive Orders.

Champions America First Foreign Policy by:

  • Redefining foreign assistance to promote self-sufficiency, bolster economic growth and stability, and protect our national security.
  • Providing increased funds for the America First Opportunity Fund to ensure the Secretary of State has the flexibility to quickly respond to unforeseen opportunities to advance the America First foreign policy agenda.
  • Requiring consideration of a recipient partner country’s cooperation on United States priorities such as migration issues, opposition to foreign adversaries, burden sharing, support for Taiwan’s participation in multilateral forums, and the United Nations votes in determining economic assistance allocations.
  • Prioritizing United States commercial interests, helping to create opportunities for American businesses abroad.
  • Prohibiting funds for organizations who may have hired terrorists that took part in the October 7th, 2023, mass atrocities – including the murder of 50 Americans since the initial attack – but refuse to cooperate with United States Inspector General investigations.

Supports the Trump Administration and mandate of the American people by:

  • Upholding America First priorities by promoting a foreign policy that supports our allies and counters our adversaries, focusing on the economic prosperity and national security of the United States, and eliminating contributions to multilateral organizations that are wasteful and antithetical to American values.
  • Supporting President Trump’s executive orders to ensure no wasteful spending on DEI or woke programming, climate change mandates, or divisive gender ideologies.
  • Prioritizing funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States.

Protects life, supports American values, and enhances our standing in the world by:

  • Protecting long-standing pro-life provisions as well as enhancing oversight and transparency over program implementation to ensure American taxpayer dollars will not fund abortions.
  • Removing vague references to “gender” and clearly outlines our support for women and girls.
  • Supporting religious freedom programs abroad and religious freedom protections for faith-based organizations delivering foreign aid.
  • Defending United States sovereignty by prohibiting funds for the Arms Trade Treaty, and protecting the Second Amendment rights of Americans.
  • Banning so-called “disinformation” and “misinformation” programs that violate the free speech rights of American citizens.
  • Allowing only the American flag and other official flags to be flown over United States embassies and consulates.
  • Holding foreign governments and bad actors accountable for persecuting people of faith, including by restricting assistance to Nigeria until measurable actions are taken to protect Christian communities suffering from religious violence.
  • Confronting human trafficking by prohibiting funding for countries and organizations that continue benefiting from human trafficking of Cuban medical doctors, while directing the Secretary of State to pull visas for officials involved in such practices.

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by:

  • Providing unwavering support for Israel by including no less than $3.3 billion in Foreign Military Financing Program funds.
  • Providing robust assistance to Egypt and Jordan, two key U.S. partners.
  • Including $500 million for the Foreign Military Financing Program for Taiwan to strengthen deterrence across the Taiwan Strait, and $200 million in military assistance for the Philippines, as well as availability of Foreign Military Financing loans and loan guarantees for such purpose.
  • Fully funding the Countering PRC Influence Fund at $400 million.
  • Providing $1.8 billion for United States national security interests in the Indo-Pacific to counter the PRC’s malign influence.
  • Barring funds for the PRC and the Chinese Communist Party by prohibiting—funds for countries to repay debt owed to China,
  • funds for international financial institutions generating loans to the PRC.
  • Prohibiting assistance to individuals or entities that support, finance, or facilitate the operations or commercial activities of the Cuban Revolutionary Armed Forces, Ministry of Interior, or their affiliates.
  • Promoting freedom and national security in the Western Hemisphere.

Safeguards American taxpayer dollars and preserves core functions by:

  • Prioritizing fiscal sanity and the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse by strategically investing in partners to help them achieve durable and sustainable goals consistent with United States national security interests.
  • Supporting efforts to reduce duplication, eliminate siloes, and streamline foreign policy under the direction of the Secretary of State to support a nimble and effective Department.
  • Eliminating funding for unauthorized programs, organizations, or functions.
  • Eliminating funding for Biden-era executive orders on climate, gender, DEI, and extraneous or irrelevant programs that diluted the mission of America’s foreign policy.
  • Prohibiting funds for the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
  • Prioritizing diplomatic engagement to favorably resolve commercial disputes abroad and to promote American business interests overseas.
  • Refocusing attention on critical diplomatic functions, such as addressing passport applications and ensuring the safety and security of our embassies.

A summary of the bill is available here.

Bill text is available here.

Click here to watch the Full Committee Markup.

View the Congressman’s Remarks here.

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Pocan, Cline Introduce Resolution Recognizing April as Undiagnosed Awareness Month

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Ben Cline (VA-06) introduced a resolution to recognize April as Undiagnosed Awareness Month and April 29th as Undiagnosed Day. An estimated 25 million Americans live with rare, ultra-rare, and undiagnosed conditions. Since 2014, the National Institutes of Health and the Undiagnosed Diseases Network (UDN) – a network of over 24 clinical and research sites across the country at premier medical institutions and universities – have discovered 97 previously unknown diseases, made over 1,000 diagnoses, and continue to deliver answers at the cutting edge of biomedical research.

“The struggle, sacrifice, and advocacy of the patients and families suffering from undiagnosed diseases must be acknowledged and recognized,” said Congressman Pocan. “Bringing awareness to the millions of Americans undergoing this difficult diagnostic journey is a small but critical step towards building community for those seeking answers, and towards driving better outcomes and research for undiagnosed diseases. I’m thankful to Rep. Cline for joining me in leading this resolution to recognize April as Undiagnosed Awareness Month and April 29th as Undiagnosed Day.”

“Millions of Americans live with rare and undiagnosed conditions that can often take countless scans, tests, doctors’ visits, and years to identify,” said Rep. Cline. “It is important to bring awareness to the hardships of patients and their families suffering from undiagnosed diseases. I am proud to co-lead a bipartisan resolution to acknowledge and recognize the sacrifice, advocacy, and endurance of patients with undiagnosed diseases.”

“Every patient and family deserves the dignity of feeling heard, respected and cared for, including those living with an undiagnosed condition. Despite nearly 1 in 10 people in the United States being impacted by a rare, ultra-rare, or undiagnosed condition they are often isolated and invisible. The journey to a diagnosis is long, traumatic, and costly. Patients often see dozens of doctors and undergo countless tests, spending 5-7 years or even much longer before getting any answers. Recognition of Undiagnosed Month will not only bring awareness but will drive progress, ensuring that the research, diagnostic, and care needs for this community are understood and addressed,” saidDanielle Carnival, Ph.D., CEO, Undiagnosed Diseases Network Foundation.

Cosponsors of the resolution include: Pocan (WI-02), Cline (VA-06), Norton (DC-AL), Rutherford (FL-05)

Text of the resolution can be found here

Carbajal Statement on Trump Administration Sabotage of Morro Bay Wind Energy Area

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the Trump administration’s announcement that it is paying $120 million in taxpayer dollars to effectively cancel one of the offshore wind projects in Morro Bay.

“I am outraged by this backwards decision to sabotage the Morro Bay Wind Energy Area. In Congress, I championed these projects because they represented a clear win-win-win for the Central Coast. The projects strengthened our energy security, boosted local economic growth, and advanced important environmental protections. Because of a bizarre personal vendetta against wind energy, Donald Trump’s administration is turning a historic opportunity into a historic failure. Beyond the strategic failure of this policy decision, today’s announcement also represents a staggering waste of taxpayer dollars. I won’t let this extreme federal overreach and pressure go unchallenged, and I will continue to fight for the Central Coast’s right to build a greener economy.”

Background on Congressman Carbajal’s Work on Offshore Wind:

Congressman Carbajal has been a champion for offshore wind throughout his time in office.

The Morro Bay Offshore Wind Energy Area is the product of negotiations conducted by Rep. Carbajal’s Offshore Wind Working Group, which was created in August 2019 to coordinate between federal, state, and local partners and is composed of representatives from the offices of Rep. Carbajal and Rep. Panetta (D-CA-19), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Department of Defense (DOD), Department of the Navy, and California Energy Commission (CEC). 

Negotiations had previously stalled amid hesitation from the Navy, until Rep. Carbajal offered an amendment to the FY2021 National Defense Authorization Act in order to move the development forward off of Morro Bay and get negotiations back on track.

Following the amendment’s passage in the House, Carbajal secured a written commitment from the Navy indicating a willingness to collaborate with the Working Group to identify an area for development that would meet energy production goals.

As a result of these efforts and support from other local stakeholders and officials, Rep. Carbajal and Biden Administration leaders unveiled an agreement in May 2021 to allow offshore wind development off the coast of Morro Bay.

The lease sites for this and other areas off the California coast were announced in 2022.

Rep. Al Green States President Trump is a Threat to the Republic, and Impeachment is the Remedy

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

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, April 28, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, shared remarks during a Homeland Security Committee shadow hearing entitled, “Defending Democracy: Protecting Elections from Executive Overreach.”

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

Congressman Baird Announces Purdue University to Gain Over $2.7 Million in Research Under USDA Reorganization

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN-04)

Congressman Jim Baird (IN-04) announced that Purdue University in West Lafayette, IN, is set to gain a research project worth $2.701million and seven Agricultural Research Service employees as a result of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) reorganization and decommissioning of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC).

“Purdue University and the State of Indiana continue to solidify their standing as the premier location for agricultural research and opportunity,” said Congressman Baird. “As a farmer and lifelong Hoosier, I am pleased to see the USDA expanding opportunities in Indiana as the agency refocuses on its core mission, works to better serve our farmers, and moves operations outside of the Washington, D.C., area closer to the people they serve. My state and district are uniquely positioned to provide our farmers with access to cutting-edge research and technology. Indiana is one of the top agricultural states in our country, and Purdue is one of the leading land-grant universities in the world. I am grateful for Secretary Rollins’ strong leadership at USDA, and I look forward to working with her to ensure Hoosier farmers remain at the forefront of American agricultural success.”

This announcement from the USDA builds on the USDA’s prior reorganization efforts and its recognition of Indiana as a leading agricultural state. In July 2025, the USDA announced it was moving a portion of its operations to Indianapolis, IN, to better align with its mission of supporting American agriculture.

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VIDEO: Pressley Stands in Solidarity with Epstein Survivors Demanding Meeting with King Charles

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Congresswoman Pressley Spent Day Meeting with Survivors

Roundtable Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) stood in solidarity with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse who have been calling for a meeting with King Charles III during his state visit to the United States. Congresswoman Pressley spent the day meeting directly with survivors and hearing about their experiences.

Today, Congresswoman Pressley participated in a roundtable discussion with survivors, including Sky and Amanda Roberts, alongside Congressman Ro Khanna, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernandez, and Congresswomen Summer Lee, Pramila Jayapal, and Melanie Stansbury.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Pressley has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ justice and has led committee Democrats in calling for a full Congressional hearing to ensure survivors’ firsthand accounts are heard.

Footage of the Congresswoman’s message to survivors at the roundtable is available here and a transcript is available below. For footage of the full roundtable discussion, click here.

Transcript: Rep. Pressley’s Heartfelt Message to Epstein Survivors Demanding Meeting with King Charles
House of Representatives
April 28, 2026

I’ve been in Congress now for eight years, but prior to my election to Congress, I served on the Boston City Council for eight years, first Black woman elected to that body, and I ran on a platform of doing my heart’s work to save women and girls and to champion gender specific and responsive programming and policies in government.

And there were naysayers who said to me that that was not the work of government, that I should go run a nonprofit. But each of you affirm that it is, in fact, that it is the work of government, it is the responsibility of government.

And I remember so many people saying to me, you’re fighting for the girls, but it’s the boys that are being killed in our streets. And I said but it’s the girls that are slowly dying in front of you every day that are not being given any dignity or any visibility.

There are several testimonials or stories that fuel me in this work. The first is a domestic worker I met who, every day went in to clean a home and removed all of her clothes because her employer said he needed that as proof that she was not stealing anything. And she went every day and cleaned that home and stripped.

The other is of the mother of a 16-year-old, her daughter committed suicide because of bullying as the result of deepfake pornography.

And the third is Virginia. She is always in my consciousness.

And I’m so upset because I lost my butterfly [pin]. You know, I read her book, and before reading it, I just stared at the title over and over again. Nobody’s Girl. And Sky, Amanda – I just thank you for all that, all that you’re doing in carrying her legacy forward and championing the need for cultural reform, culture shifts, and legislative change.

And Sky, I know she was, was your protector, and you are being hers, but you are also being a brother to this entire sister survivor circle. And it is a painful thing to go through life feeling that you belong to no one.

But we claim Virginia. She belongs to all of us now, and each of you belong to us as well.

And I’m guided every day by the words of Angela Y. Davis that “I’m no longer accepting the things I cannot change, I’m changing the things I can no longer accept.”

I can no longer accept that femicide is something normalized, economic dependence, coercive control, sexual assault, domestic violence, sexual abuse, sex trafficking.

I can no longer accept that we don’t have an Equal Rights Amendment in our Constitution, that we have been relegated to a second class or invisible status, overwhelmingly, as women and certainly as survivors.

Nothing changes if nothing changes.

So I just, I thank all of you. I do think that change is on the way.

I look forward to a day where we can all not just wear butterfly [pins], but embody that spirit of feeling totally and completely free. Free from the shame, free from the burden of it all. Because what has happened to our survivors around the table was a violation of dignity. It was a violation of bodies. It was a violation of dreams.

You see before you grown women, so you might forget that they were mere children. And I can think of nothing more vile than to groom, to prey upon, to exploit, to rape, to traffic a child.

So I’m just grateful for each and every one of you as we hold accountable the vermin who committed these vile acts that left survivors with a lifetime sentence to navigate, whether they are pastors, presidents, or princes, a reckoning is on the way.

Thank you. 

In recent interviews, Rep. Pressley described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her.

Throughout her time in Congress, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom.

In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).  In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.

Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.

In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.

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Rep. Torres Cracks Down on Child Traffickers and Corrupt Diplomacy in National Security Funding Bill Amendments

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

April 28, 2026

Child Trafficker Amendment Passes, Advancing Accountability and Preventing Sanctions Relief for Predators

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma Torres, a member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS), announced two critical amendments during the National Security Full Committee markup aimed at strengthening accountability and protecting vulnerable populations.

The amendments take direct aim at child trafficking and self-dealing diplomatic actors, ensuring U.S. taxpayer dollars are never used to shield abusers or fund diplomacy.

“If you traffic children, you should never get a pass from the United States government and I’m proud that my amendment passed and puts us on record standing up for victims and holding traffickers accountable,” said Congresswoman Torres. “But Republicans turned around and blocked a simple, common-sense transparency measure. My No Blank Check Diplomacy amendment would have required basic financial disclosures before taxpayer dollars are used to support diplomatic appointees. That’s not controversial, it’s accountability. Instead, Republicans chose to shield unelected envoys from scrutiny and deny the American people the transparency they deserve. I’ll keep fighting to make sure accountability, transparency, and human rights are reflected in how we spend every taxpayer dollar.”

No Sanctuary for Child Traffickers:

Rep. Torres’ first amendment passed and ensures that no funds in the bill can be used to lift or waive sanctions against individuals credibly accused of child trafficking, unless the Secretary of State certifies, at least 60 days in advance, that doing so is essential to U.S. national security and provides a written justification to Congress.

This provision relies on determinations made by the Office of Foreign Asset Control.

No Blank Check Diplomacy:

The second amendment requires full financial transparency from any Special Envoy, Special Representative, or diplomatic appointee before taxpayer funds can be used to support their work. Under the amendment, no federal funds may be spent on travel, communications, staffing, or other non-security support unless the individual has filed a complete financial disclosure with the Office of Government Ethics within 30 days, and made it publicly available.

As a longtime advocate for transparency and human rights, Congresswoman Torres continues to push for policies that uphold American values at home and abroad while ensuring taxpayer resources are used responsibly.

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CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

April 28, 2026                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT ANNOUNCES DISTRICT OFFICE CLOSURES FOR ST. THOMAS CARNIVAL BREAK

U.S. Virgin Islands — In observance of the 2026 St. Thomas Carnival season, the district offices of Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett on St. Croix and St. Thomas will be closed beginning Wednesday, April 29 through Friday, May 1, 2026. All offices will be open on Monday, May 4, 2026.

“Our carnival and festival celebrations are where our ancestors’ stories live. In every parade costume, every pan note, and every Jouvert morning and parade day rhythm echoing through the streets,” shared Congresswoman Plaskett.

“I would like to thank every vendor, every performer, every organizer, and every volunteer who poured their energy into making this year’s carnival possible. You are the backbone of this event, and we are grateful. Also, a very special thank you to our Virgin Islands Police Department and first responders for their service and for keeping us safe as we celebrate.

“Happy St. Thomas Carnival to all!”

For immediate assistance during this time, please contact the Washington D.C. office via phone at 202-225-1790.

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Kelly to Health System CEOs: "It's about the math."

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a hearing with leaders of some of the nation’s top hospital CEOs, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) questioned the executives about ways rural health care can improve while also highlighting the need for more affordable and accessible health care in Rural America.

In December, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that all 50 states will receive awards under the Rural Health Transformation Program, a $50 billion initiative established under President Trump’s Working Families Tax Cuts legislation. This includes more than $193 million for Pennsylvania in fiscal year 2026.

“If you can’t exist in a small market, that’s not because you don’t want to be there. It’s because you can’t afford to be there. You can’t have the people in the lobby looking for help when you don’t have a doctor or nurse there to take care of them,” said Rep. Kelly. “It’s math. You’re not in rural areas because you can’t afford to be there. The cost of operation is ruining everybody.”

“My philosophy is that we have to be two things at once: large enough to bring scale, resources and stability, and local enough to respond to the unique needs of each community we serve. Rural and community hospitals face the same market pressures as their urban and academic counterparts, only with fewer resources. They confront workforce shortages, declining patient volumes, rising labor and supply costs and an increasingly complex regulatory environment, often while operating on extremely thin margins,” said Wright Lassiter, III., President and CEO CommonSpirit Health, a Catholic non-profit hospital systemin prepared remarks. “By bringing the resources of a larger system to those communities, we can help smaller hospitals manage expensive technology requirements, difficult payer contracting negotiations, workforce shortages and other pressures while addressing local gaps in care.”

BACKGROUND

The Rural Health Transformation Program is a federal investment which aims to help states expand access to care in rural communities, strengthen the rural health workforce, modernize rural facilities and technology, and support innovative models that bring high-quality, dependable care closer to home.

Nearly 40% of the population in Pennsylvania’s 16th Congressional District resides in rural areas.

Learn more about the hearing here.

Representatives García, Ramirez, Simon, Mejia, Workers & Labor Leaders Introduce the Living Wage for All Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, days before the largest May Day mobilizations in years and hours before the King of England’s congressional address, Congressmembers Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Analilia Mejia (NJ-11) stood with labor, civil rights, and economic justice leaders from across the country to introduce the Living Wage for All Act. This is a landmark legislation that would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour — the floor that working families need to meet the real cost of living in America today.

The Living Wage for All Act would raise the federal minimum wage to $25 per hour through a phased approach that reflects both the cost of living and the structure of the modern economy. The bill establishes a two-track phase-in, requiring large, highly profitable corporations to lead the transition. Large employers would reach $25 by 2031, while smaller employers would phase in more gradually, reaching $25 by 2038.

The Living Wage for All Act also ensures wages do not fall behind again by establishing a standard that keeps the minimum wage aligned with typical wages across the economy. As the economy grows and wages rise, the minimum wage would rise with it. The legislation also eliminates all subminimum wages, including for tipped workers, youth workers, and workers with disabilities — ensuring that every worker is guaranteed a full wage from their employer, with no exceptions.

“The need for a living wage couldn’t be clearer. The gap between the wealthy and everyone else keeps widening. Corporate profits are at a record high, and bosses are actively cutting their workforces, undermining organizing efforts, and trying to replace labor entirely,” said Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García. “Meanwhile, working families are struggling to pay their rent, buy groceries, and go to the doctor. It’s past time that workers are paid what they deserve.”

“Growing up, I saw my immigrant parents and my neighbors working multiple minimum wage jobs just to survive. Today, companies are reporting record-high earnings while working people struggle to survive. Minimum wage is not a living wage. That’s not right. If we want to address the affordability crisis, we must also address the wage crisis,” said Congresswoman Ramirez. “Congress must stop entertaining Kings and the whims of wannabe kings and start working for working people. I am proud to stand with Congressmembers García and Mejia and the Living Wage For All Coalition to ensure that working people have every single thing they need to thrive.”

“Housing, gas, and grocery costs have all surged, yet the federal minimum wage hasn’t been raised since 2009. This is unacceptable. No one working full time should be struggling to survive. We need an economy that reflects the realities of 2026, not one stuck over a decade ago. That’s why I led the fight to raise New Jersey’s minimum wage to $15 an hour. And it’s why I’m proud to partner with Congresswoman Delia Ramirez on the Living Wage for All Act to raise the federal minimum wage to $25 an hour. This bill would transform millions of lives, ensuring working people earn a true living wage instead of being forced to choose between putting food on the table and taking care of their health. Americans deserve an economy that works for all, not just the billionaire class,” saidCongresswoman Mejia.

“For too long, our economy has relied on underpaying the very workers who keep this country running. That harm has fallen hardest on women, workers with disabilities, tipped workers, Black and brown workers, and working families already struggling to afford basic necessities,” said Congresswoman Simon. “I am proud to join Congresswoman Ramirez, Congressman Garcia, and Congresswoman Mejia in introducing the Living Wage for All Act because a living wage is the absolute floor. We’re leading this effort to ensure every worker from Oakland to Chicago to Detroit to New Jersey gets the fair wage and dignity they deserve.”

“This is a worker-led movement that has grown from the groundbreaking Fight for $15 into a nationwide push for a true living wage. Across the country — from California to the Midwest to the East Coast — workers are organizing for $25 and $30 because that is what it takes to live. The polling shows this is not just popular, it is necessary. And ‘for all’ means exactly that: no worker left behind. This is what it looks like when politics begins to catch up to reality — and when democracy delivers real improvements in people’s lives, it becomes tangible. A living wage is how we make that promise real,” saidSaru Jayaraman, President, One Fair Wage

The legislation is cosponsored by Reps Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (TX-35), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Christian Menefee (TX-17),  Donald Norcross (NJ-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velazquez (NY-07), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

The legislation is endorsed by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), RWDSU, NEA, AFT, United Food and Commercial Workers Local 7, PolicyLink, One Fair Wage, Popular Democracy, Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), National Urban League (NUL), Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC), Alliance for a Just Society, Black Women’s Roundtable, National Coalition for Black Civic Participation, Patriotic Millionaires, Our Revolution, Common Cause, Voices for Progress (V4P), National Organization for Women (NOW), Chicago Education Advocacy Cooperative, ACLU of Hawai’i, Hawai‘i Public Health Institute, Trabajadores Unidos Workers United (CA), La Colmena NY, Community Labor United, Pennsylvania Policy Center, The New York Progressive Action Network, New Disabled South, Rights & Democracy Vermont, Survivors Know, The Able Baker, Churches United for Fair Housing (CUFFH), Keystone Progress Education Fund (PA), San Francisco Living Wage Coalition, Make the Road NV, Las Doñas, Construyamos Otro Acuerdo (Puerto Rico), La Tejedora (Puerto Rico), Fuck You I Quit, and a growing List of Small Businesses: Beauty by Teal, Elysium Aesthetics Lounge LLC, Conscious Life Resources, Undermine, Black Remote She LLC, SEPA Mujer, Inc.

For the full text of the legislation, CLICK HERE.

For the live video of the press conference, CLICK HERE.

For additional quotes from supporters, CLICK HERE.

Background:

The legislation reflects a national push to match wages with the rapidly growing cost of living. Across the country, campaigns are already moving at $25 and above — with $30 proposals advancing in Alameda County and Los Angeles, $27 legislation in Illinois, $30 efforts in New York, and $25 campaigns underway in Washington, D.C., and Maryland. These are part of a coordinated, multi-front strategy backed by a coalition of more than 100 labor, community, and social justice organizations. The Living Wage for All Act brings that momentum to the federal level — translating what workers and voters are already demanding across states and cities into a national standard.

The federal minimum wage has remained stuck at $7.25 since 2009. For more than 17 years, workers have been impacted by rising costs for rent, groceries, childcare, and healthcare while their wages have remained stagnant.