MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released a statement following House Republicans’ failure to reform Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) without any guardrails or protections to keep Americans safe following well-documented abuses:

“President Trump and Congressional Republicans refuse to reform ICE to increase public safety after the murders of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in the streets of Minneapolis. House Republicans are enabling significant abuses of power and holding hostage the rest of the Department of Homeland Security, including TSA, Coast Guard and FEMA. Republicans should at least pass legislation I cosponsor to fund these agencies while negotiations over ICE reforms continue.

“I cannot sanction taxpayer dollars being misused to brutalize U.S. citizens and immigrant families. The Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress must come to the negotiating table on ICE funding and policies, and until they do, they must pass House Democrats’ legislation to fully fund the law-abiding components of DHS, including FEMA, TSA and the United States Coast Guard.”

Read Rep. Castor’s statement on the January 22 vote here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“I voted for this War Powers resolution because the military strength of the United States of America derives from the way we send our troops into battle – not hobbled by the refusal of a president to ensure the full strength of our nation through collaboration and consent but from a unified front through the efforts of the legislative and executive branch. Without that, the ability of the United States to accomplish strategic objectives in the region will be hindered. It is the sacred duty of Congress to arm our service members with the resources they need to protect themselves and our nation and one that I take very seriously and assign the highest priority.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement following voting in favor of H.R. 7744 – Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026:

“Today, my Republican colleagues and I voted to restore funding to the Department of Homeland Security. This is annual legislation critical to keeping Americans safe on land, at sea, and in the air.

“As the launch of Operation Epic Fury is a bold, neccessary action taken abroad to ensure our national security; Congress must show the same resolve to ensure our security at home. It is no secret that the Biden administration allowed scores of illegal aliens into our country, including many that seek to harm Americans. Illegal aliens on terror watchlists were released into our communities; and with conflict overseas, the threat of retaliatory attacks against America has grown. Despite this reality, Democrats have continued to vote to keep Homeland Security shutdown, preventing DHS from operating at full strength.

At a time of heightened global uncertainty, political gamesmanship is unacceptable. I urge my colleagues across the aisle to put politics aside and provide those charged with security of the homeland the resources they need to protect the United States.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (March 5, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement after voting in opposition to H. Con. Res. 38 – Directing the President pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution to remove United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in the Islamic Republic of Iran:

“The decision by the United States to launch Operation Epic Fury was a necessary and decisive action to defend our nation against imminent threats from the openly hostile Iranian regime. For decades, Iran has made clear its intent to destroy America and has consistently sown death, chaos, and instability throughout the Middle East.

“President Trump has been unwavering in his position that Iran must never obtain a nuclear weapon; and that commitment was demonstrated late last year through Operation Midnight Hammer, which hit Iranian nuclear production sites. In the months since, Iran has worked to reconstitute its nuclear program while accelerating its pursuit of advanced ballistic missile capabilities that would threaten America and our allies in the region.

“Despite good-faith negotiations by the President and his Administration, the regime repeatedly rejected any peaceful resolution. Therefore, In coordination with Israel and our Arab allies, the United States launched targeted strikes to permanently degrade the threat posed by the Iranian regime. The objectives of this operation are clear: dismantle Iran’s missile capabilities and the infrastructure that sustains them, neutralize the Iranian Navy’s operational capacity, and ensure that terrorist proxies can no longer be used to attack Americans or our partners.

“I support the mission to safeguard American lives and defend our national interests. The United States military remains the finest fighting force in history, and we are confident in their ability to accomplish this mission swiftly and decisively. We pray for the safety of every service member involved in this operation defending our freedom.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

This evening on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) voted no on H. Con. Res. 38, otherwise known as the War Powers Resolution, which would unnecessarily tie the hands of the Administration during hostilities with Iran. Congressman Allen also voted yes on H.R. 7744, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Appropriations Act of 2026, which fully funds DHS and supports efforts to defend our homeland. Following tonight’s floor activity, Congressman Allen released the statement below:

“Iran is responsible for more American deaths than any other terrorist regime in the world. The last thing we need to do is hamstring the Administration and our military leaders as they actively defend American citizens from the evolving threat that Iran poses. The President fulfilled the requirements under the War Powers Resolution by briefing the Gang of Eight before the strikes on Iran occurred. Additionally, Article II of the U.S. Constitution is clear that the President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and has a duty to act in defense of our nation. 

“For that reason, I voted no on the War Powers Resolution offered by Reps. Massie and Khanna. I agree with President Trump that the Iranian regime must never obtain a nuclear weapon, and after receiving a classified briefing earlier this week on Operation Epic Fury, I am even more confident that we will achieve the objectives laid out in detail by the Administration.

“Further, and more important now than ever, we must fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. For nearly three weeks, Democrats have obstructed and irresponsibly shut down the department tasked with defending our homeland. That is shameful. House Republicans once again did our work to fully fund DHS—including the Coast Guard, TSA, FEMA, and Air Traffic Controllers. The longer Democrats keep DHS shut down, the more danger they impose on the American people, especially during this time of heightened uncertainty. 

“Robin and I continue to pray for the families and loved ones of the service members we lost and all of those who continue fighting to ensure Iran’s terrorist proxies can no longer harm Americans and destabilize the Middle East.”

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

Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI) today announced that his Combating Regulatory Abuse, Closing Known Deficiencies, and Overseeing Waste Nationwide (CRACKDOWN) Act (H.R. 7721) advanced through the U.S. House Committee on Education and Workforce. The proposal reflects lessons learned from successful reforms in Wisconsin and encourages states to address improper government payments before problems escalate, as recently seen in Minnesota.

Grothman’s bill establishes a 5% improper payment threshold for states participating in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, If the state goes above the 5% CCDBG improper payment threshold, then the state is required to take corrective action. This bill strengthens oversight and ensures taxpayer dollars are protected from waste, fraud, and abuse.

“When improper payment rates rise above the level of honest mistakes, it’s a clear sign that something needs to be addressed,” said Rep. Grothman. “The CRACKDOWN Act sets a 5 percent threshold so states take action before small problems spiral into major fraud or abuse of taxpayer dollars.

“Wisconsin understands the importance of strong oversight. In 2010, our state faced widespread fraud within its child care program and responded with meaningful reforms, expanding background checks, creating a dedicated fraud unit, and strengthening audits. Because of those reforms, Wisconsin now has an improper payment rate below 1 percent.

“Unfortunately, not every state has taken those steps. Minnesota, for example, currently has an improper payment rate of 9.18 percent, nearly double the national average. With the national improper payment rate around 4.9 percent, the current 10 percent threshold is simply too high. Lowering it to 5 percent creates a fair and responsible benchmark for accountability while keeping in place the corrective action tools states need to get back on track. Thirty-eight states already meet this standard today, proving this is a common-sense step to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure these programs operate the way they should.”

Background Information

• H.R. 7721, the CRACKDOWN Act, lowers the improper payment threshold in the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program from 10 percent to 5 percent.
• States exceeding the threshold must implement a corrective action plan to improve program integrity and reduce improper payments.
• The current national improper payment rate is approximately 4.9 percent.
• Thirty-eight states already meet the proposed 5 percent benchmark.
• Wisconsin implemented major reforms in 2010 to combat fraud in its child care system, including stronger background checks, the creation of a fraud unit, and expanded auditing. The state now maintains an improper payment rate below 1 percent.

-30- 

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 – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on Trump firing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem:

“No matter who runs it, DHS is a rogue and lawless agency designed to trample on our civil rights. 

“My position remains the same: not another dollar for ICE and CBP, and DHS must be dismantled to end its reign of terror in our communities.

“Kristi Noem’s tenure was defined by lawlessness, corruption, and cruelty. She deserved to be fired, but we still need accountability for crimes committed on her watch.  

“Nothing about Sen. Markwayne Mullin’s record suggests he will be different.”

# # #

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig released the following statement on President Trump’s announcement that he will be replacing DHS Secretary Kristi Noem with Senator Markwayne Mullin.

“Kristi Noem was unqualified from the start, and she reminded Minnesotans of that fact every single day she served as Secretary of Homeland Security. Under her leadership, ICE terrorized our state and got two Minnesotans killed. That’s why I led articles of impeachment against her in the House and have repeatedly called for her resignation. 

“While this is welcome news, we should all be clear that President Trump is firing Noem because she made him look bad, not because he believes her tactics were wrong. 

“Minnesotans know we are not out of the woods yet and we can’t afford another rubber stamp for Trump’s immigration agenda leading DHS. And even though we’ve seen that loyalty is a one-way street for this president, that’s exactly what Markwayne Mullin will be. 

“I’m urging Senate Democrats not to support Mullin’s nomination or give a cent to Trump’s DHS until his administration agrees to rein in ICE and start following the law.” 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

This week, Representative Sharice Davids demanded that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Social Security Administration (SSA) Commissioner Frank Bisignano immediately clarify conflicting public statements regarding federal taxes on Social Security benefits.

In recent months, the president and other administration officials have claimed that their partisan budget law eliminated federal taxes on Social Security benefits. However, the law itself did not eliminate those taxes. Instead, it created a temporary $6,000 tax deduction for a small subset of eligible seniors from 2025 through 2028 — a separate provision that does not repeal the underlying taxation of benefits.

“As enacted, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a temporary tax deduction of $6,000 for eligible seniors… While this deduction may provide relief for some, it does not eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits,” wrote Davids. “When the federal government provides conflicting or inaccurate information, it undermines trust and places an unfair burden on seniors who are trying to make responsible financial decisions. As Americans navigate retirement planning and the 2026 tax season, clarity is not optional — it is essential.” 

Nonpartisan estimates indicate that fewer than half of seniors nationwide are expected to benefit from the new deduction. Meanwhile, federal taxes on Social Security benefits remain in place. In July, the Social Security Administration issued a clarification confirming that those taxes were not eliminated, but administration officials continue to push false information.

Davids asks Treasury and SSA to confirm in writing whether the law eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits, whether Americans must still report Social Security income on their federal tax filings, and whether implementation of the law could impact Social Security’s long-term solvency. She requested responses by April 1, 2026.

The letter comes as Americans prepare their taxes and amid broader concerns about the stability of Social Security. Over the past year, seniors have faced uncertainty regarding administrative changes and public rhetoric surrounding the program. Davids has consistently pushed back on efforts to gut Social Security and emphasized that transparency is critical to maintaining trust.

Read Davids’ full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Bessent and Commissioner Bisignano,

I am writing to request clarity on federal taxes on Social Security benefits. Public statements from the administration have claimed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act eliminated these taxes, but the law itself and agency guidance indicate otherwise. America’s seniors deserve honesty from their government as they plan for retirement and prepare to file their taxes.

As enacted, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act created a temporary tax deduction of $6,000 for eligible seniors, in effect from 2025 through 2028. While this deduction may provide relief for some, it does not eliminate federal taxes on Social Security benefits. Rather, this deduction exists alongside those continued taxes. Nonpartisan estimates indicate that fewer than half of seniors nationwide will benefit from the deduction at all.

Despite this, President Trump and the White House have repeatedly and publicly stated that the law eliminated taxes on Social Security benefits. That claim is incorrect and misleading. In July, the Social Security Administration issued a correction clarifying that taxes on Social Security benefits have not been eliminated.

When the federal government provides conflicting or inaccurate information, it undermines trust and places an unfair burden on seniors who are trying to make responsible financial decisions. As Americans navigate retirement planning and the 2026 tax season, clarity is not optional — it is essential.

This comes after a year of uncertainty and fear for folks who rely on Social Security. Under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and the ongoing fallout, seniors have faced threats of cuts to vital Social Security Administration services, baseless claims of widespread fraud, and damaging comments dismissing Social Security as a “scam” and “Ponzi scheme.” Americans who have paid into Social Security over a lifetime of work should never have to wonder whether their earned benefits will be there when they need them.

Given the seriousness of these issues and the need for clear, factual guidance, I ask for your administration’s clarification by responding, in writing, to the following questions by April 1, 2026:

1. Did the One Big Beautiful Bill Act directly eliminate federal taxes on Social Security? If so, will agency guidance be corrected? If not, will administration officials commit to correcting public statements that claim otherwise?
2. Are Americans still required to report Social Security income on their federal tax filings?
3. Is implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act  expected to accelerate insolvency of Social Security?

Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Millions of Americans — and especially seniors — depend on Social Security and on straightforward, truthful information from their government. I urge your administration to provide clarity and transparency they deserve. I look forward to reviewing your responses.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

---

---

Previous Article