MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raul Ruiz (36th District of California)

Washington, D.C. –  Today, Raul Ruiz (CA-25) delivered remarks on the Floor of the House of Representatives regarding the devastating Palm Springs IVF Facility Explosion. 

To see the full remarks, click here.

“Mr. Speaker, despite the deliberate and targeted domestic terrorist bomb attack at the American Reproductive Centers IVF facility in Palm Springs, thank God Dr. Abdullah, his staff, and all eggs and embryos are safe.

“Palm Springs is strong. The people are beautiful, resilient, inclusive, accepting, and cherish their community. All law enforcement and first responders acted with courage, professionalism, and excellence.

“I, along with all the people in Palm Springs and the surrounding communities, thank Police Chief Andy Mills, Fire Chief Paul Alvarado, FBI Assistant Director Akil Davis, and all law enforcement officers, first responders, and health care professionals who responded swiftly and effectively. Thanks to their rapid response, all those injured in the bombing have been released from the hospital, and Palm Springs is safe.

“To the people of Palm Springs: my heart is with you, and I stand by you. Thank you, and I yield back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 19, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

“The baseless charges filed this evening against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver are nothing more than a reprehensible political stunt intended to intimidate an exceptional public servant into abiding by the overwhelming injustice and cruelty created by the very administration now prosecuting her. For months, this president and his lackeys have been relentless in trying to disrupt the work of Congress as a co-equal branch of government. Now, they’ve stooped so low and so shamefully as to weaponize the Justice Department against Rep. McIver, who only stood up for the freedoms of her constituents and her fellow elected officials. 

“Members of Congress have every right to conduct oversight. When egregious, illegal violations are taking place, they have a responsibility to do so. Rep. McIver was just doing her job, and that is why the American people recognize these charges as bogus to a laughable degree. No matter how many attempts this administration makes to intimidate Congress, local leaders, the federal workforce, or anyone who stands up against the Trump regime, they should know our resolve is only deepened by this disgusting attack. He does not have the capacity to scare us.

“Donald Trump took a monstrous step on his pathway to dictatorship tonight. With it, it’s clear this is no longer the America I know.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. (May 19, 2025)—Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Committee on the Judiciary, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement, Rep. Jasmine Crockett, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Oversight, Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Limited Government, Rep. Jerrold Nadler, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, Rep. Hank Johnson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, Artificial Intelligence, and the Internet, and Rep. Lucy McBath, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance, released the following statement following the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) unfounded targeting of Rep. LaMonica McIver:

“The targeting of Representative McIver is a blatant attempt to intimidate Members of Congress and to block our oversight of this administration’s actions, which have been enjoined more than 150 times by federal courts. We stand by Representative McIver’s exercise of her constitutional rights and duties. If you come for the legal rights of one of us, you come for the rights of all of us.

“Members of Congress have the right to conduct oversight, full stop — whether that’s holding Cabinet officials accountable or visiting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities. Representative McIver was performing her proper oversight role, a role she was elected by the American people to do — and even participated in a one-hour tour after the incident occurred.

“Charging Members of Congress for doing our jobs is a dangerous precedent to set. It reveals the increasingly authoritarian nature of this Administration and its relentless, illegal attempts to suppress any dissent or oversight, including from judges, Members of Congress, and the American people, which check lawless executive power. Representative McIver has our full support, and we will do everything in our power to help fight this outrageous threat to our constitutional system.”

Background:

Section 527 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024 (Public Law 118-47) explicitly states that the Department of Homeland Security cannot prevent Members of Congress from “entering, for the purpose of conducting oversight, any facility operated by or for the Department of Homeland Security used to detain or otherwise house aliens […]. The law goes on to state that “Nothing in this section may be construed to require a Member of Congress to provide prior notice of the intent to enter a facility […] for the purpose of conducting oversight.”

Issues: Civil Rights, Government Reform & Ethics

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark, Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair Ted Lieu and Assistant Leader Joe Neguse released the following statement: 

The criminal charge against Congresswoman LaMonica McIver is extreme, morally bankrupt and lacks any basis in law or fact.

Members of Congress have a constitutional responsibility to conduct oversight of the executive branch wherever and whenever it is needed. We are lawfully permitted to show up at any federal facility unannounced to conduct an inspection on behalf of the American people. By visiting the detention center in Newark, Rep. McIver and two other Members of Congress were upholding their oath of office. They didn’t assault anyone, but were themselves aggressively mistreated by illegally masked individuals. 

Shortly after the alleged altercation took place, administration officials escorted Congressmembers LaMonica McIver, Bonnie Watson Coleman and Rob Menendez on a tour of the detention center that lasted approximately an hour. There is no credible evidence that Rep. McIver engaged in any criminal activity, and she would not have been permitted to tour the facility had she done anything wrong.

The proceeding initiated by the so-called U.S. Attorney in New Jersey is a blatant attempt by the Trump administration to intimidate Congress and interfere with our ability to serve as a check and balance on an out-of-control executive branch. House Democrats will not be intimidated by the Trump administration. Not today. Not ever. 

Everyone responsible for this illegitimate abuse of power is going to be held accountable for their actions. An attack on one of us is an attack on the American people. House Democrats will respond vigorously in the days to come at a time, place and manner of our choosing. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Representative Scott Peters’ (CA-50) Veterans Claims Education Act (VCEA), which provides educational resources to steer veterans to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) accredited entities instead of scammers. This will limit the ability of predatory companies to take advantage of and unfairly profit off veterans trying to access their hard-earned benefits. The House passed the legislation by voice vote.  

The VCEA is inspired by a constituent who wrote to Rep. Peters seeking assistance after he hired a for-profit company to maximize his VA benefits, but ended up having to pay more money to the company than benefits he was receiving.  

Speaking in support of his legislation, Rep. Peters said, “It is unconscionable that for-profit entities, known as ‘claims sharks,’ prey on the trust and goodwill of our veterans to line their own pockets. Republicans and Democrats may have sincere policy disagreements about how to provide world-class care to our nation’s veterans and their families, but I know we all agree that no one should be able to profit from the service and sacrifice of our veterans.” 

Multiple veterans service organizations have endorsed the VCEA, including the American Legion, Fleet Reserve Association, Paralyzed Veterans of America, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and the Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America.  

Specifically, the bill requires VA to:  

1. Inform all veterans filing a claim that there are accredited entities that can assist them.  

2. Provide the web address of an online search tool that lists accredited entities that can assist veterans with filing a claim.  

3. Provide a publicly accessible web address where veterans can file a complaint to report entities that are unaccredited and target veterans by charging a fee for their services.      

Background:  

Upon separating from military service, veterans may file a disability claim with the VA on their own or by utilizing VA-backed resources, such as an accredited attorney, a claims agent, or a Veteran Service Officer (VSO). An accredited representative or VSO must pass an exam, complete a background check, and take continuing education courses to ensure they provide up-to-date information to veterans. These accredited resources may file an initial claim with VA on the veteran’s behalf free of charge. Unfortunately, an ecosystem of non-accredited for-profit entities has emerged which preys upon veterans’ frustrations with VA’s claims process. These companies often provide “consulting” services to help veterans prepare and present relevant paperwork needed to file a claim with VA in exchange for lump sum payments, a percentage of the total dollar amount awarded for a successful claim, or some other payment mechanism. Such fees lead many veterans to receive far too little of the benefits to which their service entitles them. Current legislative proposals designed to curb the excess of these companies focus on more stringent enforcement of existing laws and regulations.   

Full text of the legislation can be found here. 

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

One Big Beautiful Bill Is a Win for Hardworking Americans

Middle Class Americans will benefit from substantial tax relief

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Yvette D Clarke (9th District of New York)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 19, 2025

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: jessica.myers@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09) released the following statement:

“With a single shameful Supreme Court ruling, more than 350,000 Venezuelans who were promised and granted refuge from the brutal dictatorship they fled will find themselves in the grips of that regime again. Make no mistake: this is a humanitarian betrayal of unprecedented proportions. 

“Weaponizing the suffering of the most vulnerable people on the planet just to appear tough on immigration to his base is a new level of despicable behavior from this president. To add insult to injury, while Trump shuffles Black and Brown people back to their countries, kidnaps legal residents, and condemns others to the most notorious prisons in the world, he chooses to offer asylum to South African Apartheid sympathizers. 

“Trump’s cruel and xenophobic agenda has been built on misinformation, scapegoating, and labeling all those looking for a better life as criminals. Today, the judicial branch has given him a pass to continue politicizing the struggles of migrants and furthering his unconstitutional immigration policies, and that is truly disgraceful.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 9, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Congressional Croatian Caucus Co-Chairs Barragán and Joyce Host Prime Minister Plenković and Ambassador Šimunović to Strengthen U.S.-Croatia Relations

Washington D.C. — On Wednesday, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Croatian Caucus, Representatives Nanette Barragán (D-CA) and Dave Joyce (R-OH), hosted Prime Minister Andrej Plenković of Croatia and Croatia’s Ambassador to the U.S. Pjer Šimunović, to discuss how to best strengthen the diplomatic, economic, and cultural ties between the U.S. and Croatia. This was then followed by a reception to celebrate the re-launch of the Congressional Croatian Caucus for the 119^th Congress. Vice-Chairs Ted Lieu (D-CA) and Claudia Tenney (R-NY) were also in attendance. 

“In California’s 44th District, we’re proud to call ourselves home to one of the largest and most vibrant Croatian communities in the country. I welcome every opportunity to strengthen the ties between our two nations — through trade, security, and shared values.  By working together, we can increase collaboration across areas of shared interest and build a stronger future for both our countries,”said Rep. Barragán. 

In the 118^th Congress, the Caucus led a letter to the Senate urging ratification of the U.S.-Croatia Treaty for the Avoidance of Double Taxation, to further deepen the economic partnership between the U.S. and Croatia. The Caucus will continue to advocate for ratification in the 119^th Congress. 

Photos from the event can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 8, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Congresswoman Barragán Leads Congressional Letter Opposing Trump Administration’s Semiconductor Tariff Proposal

Washington, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) led a group of her Democratic colleagues on the House Communications and Technology Subcommittee in calling on President Donald Trump and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to abandon proposals to impose sweeping tariffs on the semiconductor industry.

The letter, signed by House Communications and Technology Subcommittee Ranking Member Doris Matsui and subcommittee members Greg Landsman and Jennifer McClellan, warns that the proposed tariffs would increase costs for consumers, disrupt American manufacturing, undermine U.S. competition, and strain relationships with key international allies—all without achieving the stated goal of boosting domestic production.

“These tariffs will increase the cost of essential technologies like smartphones, laptops, and broadband equipment, and will act as a direct tax on American consumers,” wrote the group of Democratic lawmakers. “The result: reduced productivity, limited access to essential tools, and slower economic growth.” 

“Rather than resorting to punitive trade measures that risk backfiring economically and geopolitically, the United States should double down on policies that support domestic semiconductor production and strengthen our long-term competitiveness,” they continued. “We urge you to abandon these ill-conceived tariff plans and instead work with Congress, industry leaders, and international allies to bolster American innovation, secure our supply chains, and build a technology economy that serves American workers and consumers.”

The full text of the letter can be found here and below.

President Trump and Secretary Lutnick:

We have serious concerns with your reported plans to impose sector-specific tariffs on semiconductor products, including chips, telecommunications equipment, and consumer electronics. These tariffs would raise prices for consumers, disrupt American manufacturing, and damage our nation’s global competitiveness—all while failing to meaningfully strengthen national security or domestic production.

These tariffs will increase the cost of essential technologies like smartphones, laptops, and broadband equipment, and will act as a direct tax on American consumers. The result: reduced productivity, limited access to essential tools, and slower economic growth.

The United States currently lacks the capacity to rapidly relocate large-scale technology manufacturing to our country. Structural challenges—including a shortage of workers trained in high-tech manufacturing and underdeveloped semiconductor infrastructure—make such a transition unrealistic in the short term. Tariffs will not solve these issues and could instead deepen them by inflating costs, discouraging investment, and weakening the long-term position of the United States technology industry.

The ongoing uncertainty surrounding this tariff plan has already disrupted financial markets and injected instability into critical sectors of our economy. The technology industry depends on predictable, long-term policy—not abrupt changes that create confusion for investors, suppliers, and businesses.

These tariffs could also provoke diplomatic fallout with some of our most trusted allies. Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, and Malaysia are potential targets for these tariffs. These are all vital partners in our technology supply chains and unnecessary tariffs could jeopardize the resilience of our supply chains and the strategic alliances that have long supported American leadership in innovation.

Additionally, a disruption to American technology imports from allied nations could undermine the Federal Communication Commission’s efforts to implement the Secure and Trusted Networks Reimbursement (“Rip and Replace”) Program. Rip and Replace, which has received strong bipartisan, bicameral support in Congress, strengthens our national security by supporting providers who are working to replace insecure network equipment from Chinese vendors like Huawei and ZTE, while simultaneously maintaining network connectivity for consumers across the country. By disrupting global supply chains and raising the overall cost of replacing network infrastructure, the proposed tariffs could needlessly strain the Rip and Replace program’s budget and delay program implementation.

The consequences of supply chain disruptions would also be particularly acute in the race to deploy 5G infrastructure and to lead in artificial intelligence. Access to cutting-edge components is essential to maintaining leadership in 5G, as well as in AI development. Disrupting access to these components would not only slow American progress but would also give China an unnecessary—and avoidable—strategic advantage.

We are especially alarmed by reports that these tariffs will be enacted under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, a provision designed to protect national security. This seems incompatible with the imposition of tariffs that damage alliances and delay technological innovation – that would in fact compromise our national security. As the Department of Defense made clear in its 2022 report Securing Defense-Critical Supply Chains, disruptions to allied supply lines—particularly in microelectronics—pose a direct threat to military readiness.

Rather than resorting to punitive trade measures that risk backfiring economically and geopolitically, the United States should double down on policies that support domestic semiconductor production and strengthen our long-term competitiveness. Congress passed the CHIPS and Science Act precisely for this purpose—to revitalize American semiconductor manufacturing, create high-quality union jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign supply chains, especially those vulnerable to authoritarian influence or geopolitical instability.

We urge you to abandon these ill-conceived tariff plans and instead work with Congress, industry leaders, and international allies to bolster American innovation, secure our supply chains, and build a technology economy that serves American workers and consumers.

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