MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Joe Wilson (2nd District of South Carolina)

Washington, DC – U.S. Helsinki Commission Chairman Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC), Helsinki Commission Ranking Member Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), and Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Don Bacon (R-NE), and Mike Quigley (D-IL) introduced CounteringRussia’s War On Faith Act.

     Companion legislation was introduced in the Senate by Senators John Kennedy (R-LA) and Sheldon Whitehouse, Ranking Member of the U.S. Helsinki Commission (D-RI).

     This bipartisan legislation requires the Secretaries of State and Defense to jointly report on Russian efforts to persecute, suppress, and violate the religious freedoms of faith communities in Ukraine and Russian-occupied territories. It also directs the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals found to have engaged in these actions.

     “Russia targets and kills persons of faith as a matter of policy wherever it invades. War criminal Putin seeks to prevent free worship of all believers and crushes any faith not subservient to its state-run church and corrupt former KGB agent Patriarch Kirill or otherwise submit itself to repressive state control,” said Rep. Wilson, Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “Believers in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine are targeted with particular ferocity. It is critical that we counter Russia’s War on Faith.”

     “Putin is a war criminal conducting genocide in Ukraine. He is also attempting to erase expressions of Ukrainian identity, including religious freedoms. This legislation makes plain that these human rights violations will be a focus of our foreign policy and that the United States will always defend religious liberty,” said Rep. Cohen.

     “Russia’s war in Ukraine is not only an assault on sovereignty—it is a calculated, systemic assault on religious freedom. For Americans, the freedom to worship is among our most fundamental liberties, and we do not stand by when it is crushed by force. This legislation ensures these crimes are documented, perpetrators are identified, and real consequences follow. Peace through strength requires accountability, and the persecution of people of faith cannot be met with silence,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.

     “Russia’s widespread religious persecution in Ukraine dates back centuries, and is a horrific reminder that this new war of occupation was never just about land, but about forcible Russification and the erasure of Ukraine’s pluralistic and free way of life,” said Rep. Kaptur, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. “This important legislation calls out the abuses committed by the Russian state and its agents against Ukrainian Christians, Jews, Muslims, and other faiths. Russia perversely portrays Ukraine as a persecutor of Christians, when it is Moscow that has destroyed over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and places of worship in Ukraine throughout this war. These new attacks are a shameful reminder of Russian pogroms and attacks on religious communities dating back centuries. The United States must hold these war criminals accountable and defend religious freedom and the right of all Ukrainians to worship as they choose.”

“Putin’s brutal invasion of Ukraine is not only an attack on a country that seeks democracy, free markets, and alignment with the West, but also includes a deliberate campaign to suppress and persecute religious communities,” said Rep. Bacon. “Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act will ensure we fully document these abuses and hold those responsible accountable through sanctions. I’m pleased to join Rep. Wilson and my colleagues in this bipartisan effort to stand up for religious liberty and the Ukrainian people.”

     “Vladimir Putin’s brutal war on Ukraine is not just about violating its sovereignty, but erasing the democratic values Ukraine has embraced. He seeks to erase freedom of religion in Ukraine by disproportionately targeting places of worship and practitioners of any religion other than his own,” said Rep. Quigley. “I am proud to cosponsor Rep. Wilson’s Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act to make it clear that those who burn churches, persecute religious communities, and try to erase religious diversity will be held accountable. The United States must lead with moral clarity by defending religious freedom and confronting Putin’s abuses.”

     “Religious liberty is not a suggestion in America – it’s one of our founding promises protected by the Constitution and lived out every day by generations of freedom-loving Americans. Anyone with a brain larger than a single cell organism knows that Vladimir Putin does not respect nor share that view. The Countering Russia’s War on Faith Act shines a bright light on Putin’s religious persecution and responds with real consequences,” said Sen. Kennedy.

     “Putin’s murderous regime has repeatedly bombed places of worship, murdered clergy members, and persecuted Ukrainian communities not aligned with the Putin-allied Russian Orthodox Church. It’s time for the U.S. to take a stand for religious freedom and explore sanctions against individuals engaging in these brutal human rights abuses in Ukraine,” said Sen. Whitehouse.

Background

     Since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, over 600 churches, synagogues, mosques, and other religious sites have been damaged or destroyed, and more than 50 Ukrainian clergy have been killed. Protestant, Catholic, Crimean Tatar, and Orthodox Christian communities not aligned with the Russian Orthodox Church have faced raids, forced re-registration, and criminal prosecution. The Russian Orthodox Church, led by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow, has publicly described the invasion as a “holy war,” providing ideological justification for systematic religious suppression in occupied territories.

     The full text of HR-8433 (S-4379) is available here.  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) released the following statement after it was announced that the city of Findlay will receive a $24 million grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for flood mitigation.  

The grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency was announced Wednesday for the project, which aims to reduce flood risks, restore natural ecosystems and strengthen the area’s flood resistance through the construction of the Eagle Creek flood basin. 

“This is great news for the city of Findlay, and I am pleased these funds are being directed to the community. My team and I worked closely with the Department of Homeland Security to help ensure this funding for the city will get to them as soon as possible. This investment will make a meaningful difference for our community to minimize future floods in Findlay,” said Latta.  

Background:  

Southern Hancock County is prone to flooding, and a flood in 2007 swamped the city of Findlay. City and county officials hope to prevent future disasters through the work along the Blanchard River and its tributaries. 

FEMA’s grant would assist in stabilizing the river’s shorelines, restore 935 acres of the riverbank to native wetlands, increase the floodplain’s capacity and help manage large amounts of rain. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. –Yesterday, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and her colleagues on the Ways and Means Committee participated in a hearing with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer to examine the Trump Administration’s 2026 trade policy agenda. During the hearing, Congresswoman Miller raised questions regarding upcoming initiatives in the digital trade sector, the importance of a long-term extension of the e-commerce moratorium, and future steps toward lifting the Jackson-Vanik amendment.

A video of Congresswoman Miller’s questions and the Ambassador’s responses, along with a full transcript, can be found below.

Congresswoman Miller began by highlighting the growing challenges in the United States’ digital trade sector with Korea, emphasizing the persistence of discriminatory digital regulations that unfairly target American companies and undermine fair trade. She then questioned the witness, United States Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, on the status of potential investigations into Korea’s digital trade barriers and what enforcement measures the Administration may pursue to address digital discrimination and protect U.S. economic interests.

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. And thank you, Ambassador Greer, for being here today. After a four-year vacuum in the trade arena during Biden’s administration, I’m really excited to see what your leadership and President Trump’s leadership over the next year will lead us.

I want to take the opportunity to ask you about upcoming measures in the digital trade sector. This year’s National Trade Estimate addressed the immediate need to address a host of unjustified digital trade barriers imposed by our trading partners. I’ve spoken with you at length about the need to address digital discrimination, and that Korea is a particularly bad actor in this sector. Korean officials continue to advance discriminatory regulations, including its Online Platform Monopoly Act and Cloud Security Assurance Program. I believe Korea’s and similar actions are being taken by other countries, particularly in the EU, that they warrant section 301 investigations.

Could you please provide an update on the status of any potential investigations, and what might the resulting enforcement actions look like?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Certainly. So with respect to the EU, for example, and Korea too, you know over the past year, we have concluded framework agreements with both of these countries and both of them have committed to fair treatment of US platforms.

Now, I think with the EU, they have a different view of what’s fair than we do, right. I have the European trade commissioner coming. He’s coming on Friday and this is right up there in our topic of discussion among a handful of other things. So it’s something that we raise with them consistently.

You know they have their different divisions in the EU that have authority over this. And we are working together with the state department, with the Department of Justice to have an aligned U.S. government position. Certainly USTR, we can do an investigation. We are in negotiations right now. We want to try to have an outcome there if we can. But we, you know, we can quickly be able to deploy and investigation enforcement action if needed,” responded Ambassador Greer.

Congresswoman Miller then explained the importance of securing a long-term extension of the e-commerce moratorium and criticized spoiler countries for blocking its adoption at the March WTO Ministerial Conference. She then questioned Ambassador Jamieson Greer on the Administration’s strategy for achieving a permanent or long-term extension.

“Thank you. Another key factor for advancing the digital trade sector is approving a long-term extension of e-commerce moratorium. I was disappointed to see that a few spoiler countries arbitrarily blocked adoption during the WTO Ministerial Conference held in March.

What is your plan for establishing a permanent or long-term extension for e-commerce moratorium? Do you believe that this can be accomplished during the first post- MC14 General Council Meeting in Geneva, Scheduled in May, or do you think we should seek plurilateral agreement outside the WTO?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Well, we’re trying to do both. So we’ll have a meeting in early May, and there were two holdouts, Brazil and Turkey, who apparently want to be able to assess fees on American digital content. So if they do that, they’ll pay a price for sure. All that being said, we got, America got 164 countries to agree with it that we should have a longer extension. And we’ll move forward to a plurilateral agreement on that front,” responded Ambassador Greer.

Congresswoman Miller concluded by asking Ambassador Jamieson Greer about the necessary steps to lift the outdated Jackson Vanik Amendment.

“Great. And I finally want to ask you about updates regarding lifting the Jackson-Vanik amendment. You’ve previously stated that we should strike a deal with Central Asian countries and to optimize the benefits for American companies before lifting Jackson-Vanik.

Central Asia is rich in natural resources that we currently largely source from China and Russia. One path that I can envision toward lifting Jackson-Vanik is by establishing a critical minerals agreement between the United States and Central Asian countries. We would achieve this by following something similar to the action plan on critical minerals proposed with Mexico and Japan.

What are your thoughts on securing similar agreements with Central Asian countries and subsequently lifting Jackson-Vanik?” asked Congresswoman Miller.

“Well, I think that a number of US government agencies have had constructive talks with Central Asian republics on critical minerals, which is very important. It’s just one sector among many. And as you know, these countries, you know, they’re large countries, they have growing economies and we should be there.

I think that any kind of, you know, when Congress moves to take care of Jackson-Vanik or anything like that, I think it certainly should be coupled with movement on critical minerals and other market access that we need into those countries,” answered Ambassador Greer.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations and Chairman of the Subcommittee on National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs, issued the following statement after the release of the Fiscal Year 2027 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations bill.

NSRP Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart said, “Over the last several years, we have focused on reducing unnecessary spending and redirecting resources to core national security priorities. The fiscal year 2027 NSRP legislation continues that work by advancing key national interests while ensuring careful use of taxpayer dollars. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made to realign funding in a way that strengthens our national security priorities and allows us to do more—and do it better—with less. I remain committed to protecting our national security interests and ensuring responsible stewardship of hard-earned taxpayer dollars.

I am grateful for Chairman Tom Cole’s leadership and the support of my colleagues. Together, we have delivered an $11.7 billion reduction in total spending since Republicans took control while keeping our commitment to the American people–– putting U.S. interests first, enforcing accountability, and ensuring every dollar serves a clear purpose.”

Chairman Tom Cole said, “The FY27 NSRP bill reflects a clear-eyed approach to U.S. leadership – grounded in strength, accountability, and results. It prioritizes the safety, freedom, and prosperity of the American people by directing resources to the highest-impact national security and economic priorities, while cutting waste and restoring discipline to our diplomacy efforts. This measure reinforces our support for key allies, pushes back against adversaries like Communist China and Iran, and ensures our foreign policy advances American interests first. It also demands greater accountability from partners, promotes self-sufficiency abroad, and safeguards taxpayer dollars through strong oversight. With Chairman Díaz-Balart’s leadership, this bill delivers a more focused, effective, and strategic approach to protecting Americans and maintaining our global advantage.”

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 Firstagenda.

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.

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.
• Confronting human trafficking by prohibiting funding for countries and organizations that continue benefitting 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 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 Subcommittee Markup.

Read the Congressman’s Remarks here.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Statement on the Passing of Congressman David Scott

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of Congressman David Scott (GA-13):

“I am saddened to learn of the passing of Congressman David Scott. David was a dedicated public servant who spent decades fighting for Georgia families, farmers, workers, and communities too often left behind. As the first African American to serve as Chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, he broke barriers while advancing policies to reduce hunger and advocate for our farmers. I was proud to be his colleague and my thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the House Committee on Appropriations yesterday marked up and passed the Financial Services and General Government (FSSG) bill, which includes the D.C. appropriations bill, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that although she was pleased no new riders were attached to the bill, she was still outraged at the number and scope of anti-home rule riders included in the base text that still remain in the bill. Republicans attempt to attach the riders to the annual D.C. spending bill to exert control over local D.C. matters, despite their positions as federal officials who do not represent D.C. residents. 

Significantly, the bill would cut funding for D.C. Tuition and Grant Assistance (DCTAG), a program established by a bill Norton got passed in 1999, by 50%. DCTAG makes up the difference for D.C. residents between in-state and out-of-state tuition up to $15,000 a year at public institutions of higher education in the U.S.

“Although I am unsurprised at the number and scope of anti-D.C. home rule riders in the D.C. appropriations bill as passed out of Committee, I continue to be outraged at the entitlement shown by members of Congress who represent far-away districts yet think it’s appropriate to impose their policy preferences on 700,000 D.C. residents,” Norton said. “By loading this legislation with anti-home-rule riders, from stripping away reproductive healthcare access to meddling in our local public safety and education laws, Republican members are dictating how D.C. residents live, spend their own local tax dollars, and govern themselves.

“These members were not elected by D.C. residents, yet they continue to treat the District like their own playground to rule as they please. This bill should serve as a stark reminder of why D.C. statehood is not just a political goal, but a moral imperative to end this ongoing cycle of paternalism and disenfranchisement. 

“D.C. residents are worthy and capable of governing themselves. Congress must pass my D.C. statehood bill.”

As passed out of Committee, the bill would:

• Permit anyone with a concealed carry permit from any state or territory to carry a concealed handgun in D.C. and on WMATA.
• Provide $20 million for the D.C. Tuition Assistance Grant Program (DCTAG), a 50% decrease from the current funding level.
• Prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds on abortion services for low-income women.
• Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its Reproductive Health Non-Discrimination Amendment Act of 2014.
• Repeal D.C.’s Death with Dignity Act, and prohibit enacting any similar law.
• Require D.C. to submit a report on its enforcement of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act.
• Prohibit D.C. from spending its own local funds to enforce its vehicle emission standards.
• Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to carry out its automated traffic enforcement law.
• Prohibit D.C. from using its local funds to enact or carry out any law which prohibits motorists from making right turns on red.
• Repeal the provision of D.C.’s Anti-Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation law, or Anti-SLAPP law, that exempts from that law any claim brought by the D.C. government.
• Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its law allowing noncitizens to vote in local elections or on activities related to enrolling or registering noncitizens into voter rolls for local elections.
• Prohibit D.C. from using local funds to implement its Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022.
• Repeal parts of the Youth Rehabilitation Amendment Act of 2018 that allows courts to use sentencing alternatives for a person who was sentenced as an adult but was under the age of 24 at the time the person committed a crime, changing that age back to 22.
• Prohibit the use of funds to implement, administer, or enforce any COVID–19 mask or vaccine mandate.
• Prohibit the use of D.C.’s local funds to commercialize recreational marijuana.
• Prohibit the use of D.C.’s local funds to implement the Insurance Regulation Amendment Act of 2024, which relates to reproductive health care and gender-affirming care.
• Prohibit D.C. from using its own funds to implement or enforce provisions of the Consumer Protection Act against oil and gas companies for environmental claims.
• Providing $50 million for the Emergency Planning and Security Fund. The fund pays for the unique public safety and security costs the District incurs as the nation’s capital, and is designed to cover the District’s costs upfront so D.C. does not need to expend local funds and then seek an appropriation to be reimbursed for such costs after the fact. This is a decrease of $40 million.

Amid the anti-home rule riders are several victories secured by Norton, despite Republican control of the House. The bill maintains the provision to exempt the D.C. government from a federal government shutdown in FY 2027, a provision she has gotten enacted every year since FY 2015. It also approves D.C. to spend under its FY 2027 local budget in the event of a federal government shutdown, avoiding the problem caused when House Republicans left the provision out of last year’s continuing resolution, which caused an initially projected $1.1 billion hole in D.C.’s budget in the middle of the fiscal year. 

Norton secured the following victories in the bill:

• Exempting D.C. from federal government shutdowns in FY 2027.
• Providing $10 million for D.C. Water Clean Rivers Project, a $2 million increase.
• Providing $600,000 for the Major General David F. Wherley, Jr. District of Columbia National Guard Retention and College Access Program.
• Providing $4 million to combat HIV/AIDS in D.C.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During this week’s Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee markup, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-22) introduced an amendment to strike measures in the FY27 bill that restrict federal employees’ access to abortion care and block the District of Columbia from using its own local funds to provide abortion services to Medicaid enrollees.

“These riders are not policy—they are punishment,” said Rep. Frankel. “Punishment for federal employees who simply want the freedom to make their own private health care decisions. Punishment for low-income women in the District of Columbia who are denied care—even when D.C. is willing to pay for it with its own dollars.”

 

Frankel emphasized that the provisions go beyond federal funding restrictions, calling them a clear example of federal overreach into local governance.

“We are not just restricting federal funds—we are reaching into D.C.’s own budget and saying, ‘you don’t get to decide,’” Frankel said. “That is federal overreach at its worst.”

“These riders hit hardest on the women living paycheck to paycheck—those who can’t travel and are forced into impossible choices about their health, their families, and their futures,” she said.

Addressing the female staffers in attendance, Frankel added: “We trust you with so many decisions every day, we should trust you with your health care decisions, too.”

The amendment was ultimately defeated by a vote of 33-26. 

For Rep. Frankel’s full remarks, click here. 

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

(Washington, D.C.) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First) today asked President Trump to extend the current 60-day waiver of the Jones Act, citing continued global shipping disruptions, constrained fuel supply chains and rising gasoline and energy costs in Hawai‘i, along with implications for U.S. military readiness in the Indo-Pacific.

The current waiver, which will expire soon, allows international shipping to transit critical oil, fuel and other fossil fuel-based products from the Continental U.S., where supplies are available, to Hawai‘i. It provides an alternative if international shipping stops or becomes prohibitively expensive. This alternative is not available under the Jones Act because there are not enough qualifying ships (built and flagged in the U.S.) to deliver these products to Hawai‘i from the Continental U.S. even in stable times and especially not in times of international disruption.

In his letter, Case told the President: “As Epic Fury continues to disrupt international oil, shipping and related markets, placing especially the non-contiguous parts of our country such as Hawai‘i at particular risk, I respectfully request that you extend your March 18, 2026, waiver of the Jones Act pursuant to 46 U.S.C. § 501(a), currently set to expire May 17, 2026, for another sixty days.”

Case warned that without the waiver, Hawai‘i is exposed not only to even higher sustained price spikes but also to potential fuel supply interruptions given Hawaii’s extreme reliance on maritime imports and limited shipping options.

Case shared with the President that Hawai‘i “is one of the most isolated parts of our country, depending on shipping for over ninety percent of our goods, including nearly all of our fossil fuel products. Yet the Jones Act severely limits shipping options from the continental U.S. to U.S. Jones Act vessels only, despite the widespread availability of shipping in the international markets.”

The Jones Act, a century-old federal maritime law, mandates that all cargo shipped between U.S. ports be transported on U.S.-flagged vessels, excluding most ships operating in global trade that are flagged internationally. With fewer than 100 oceangoing Jones Act vessels nationwide, limited domestic capacity faces no international competition, contributing to higher shipping costs.

The constraints are stark: of the nearly 7,500 oil tankers operating worldwide, only 54 are Jones Act-compliant and eligible to move fossil fuel products from the Continent to Hawai‘i, which remains heavily dependent on imported fossil fuel products for energy. As a result, Hawai‘i typically must source most of its essential resources from foreign markets, where shipping is far cheaper.

“Epic Fury has further disrupted this already fragile system. International suppliers that Hawai‘i has historically relied upon are restricting exports, forcing greater dependence on domestic energy sources at precisely the time when Jones Act-compliant vessels are least available. This dual constraint of reduced international supply and insufficient domestic shipping capacity has made the waiver essential to maintaining adequate fuel flows to the state.”

Without the waiver, these combined pressures risk not only continued upward pressure on already elevated fuel prices, but also meaningful constraints on the ability to reliably secure and deliver essential energy supplies to Hawai‘i under stressed market conditions.

Case also highlighted to the President the extensive military presence in Hawai’i which is largely dependent on the same sources of energy, fuel and other fossil fuel products as the civilian population. He said: “Both these services and their active duty and civilian personnel and families are all being impacted by substantially higher fossil fuel-related costs and will be even more impacted if oil imports to Hawaii are outright unavailable.”

In the current 119^th Congress, Case again introduced legislation to reform the Jones Act and open up Hawai‘i – continent shipping to international competition.

·         Copy of the letter to the President is here: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:VA6C2:dcf0ffa6-f721-4784-9b38-b4abace3276d

·         Case’s February 14, 2025, press release on introduction of his current measures is here: https://case.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3520.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON– Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), alongside Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-WI), introduced the bipartisan Federal Fraud Prevention Workforce Training Act, legislation to establish a government-wide training program to better equip federal employees to identify fraud risks, implement proven anti-fraud practices, and safeguard taxpayer-funded programs.

The bill directs the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to develop standardized training across agencies and make these resources available to state and local governments that administer federal funds.

“Every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar taken away from the American people,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “Our bipartisan legislation will give federal, state, and local officials the tools they need to detect risks early, strengthen safeguards, and protect taxpayer funds—while ensuring that eligible Americans can access the services and support they’ve earned without unnecessary barriers. I’m proud to partner on this effort to deliver stronger accountability and smarter oversight across government.”

Congressman Grothman added, “Americans work hard for their money, and they expect their government to treat every tax dollar with respect. Unfortunately, fraud in federal programs is far too common—and often preventable. This legislation will help ensure federal employees have the training and tools they need to stop fraud before it happens and better protect taxpayer dollars.”

Background Information

The Federal Fraud Prevention Workforce Training Act requires the U.S. Department of the Treasury, in coordination with OMB and OPM, to establish a standardized, government-wide training program focused on fraud risk identification, implementation of leading anti-fraud practices, and proper use of existing tools such as the Do Not Pay system.

Currently, federal workforce policies lack a consistent, government-wide framework to train program administrators on fraud prevention, creating vulnerabilities in federal assistance and procurement programs. By institutionalizing modern fraud prevention training practices across the federal government—and extending those resources to state and local governments that administer federal funds—the legislation aims to strengthen oversight, reduce waste, and ensure taxpayer dollars are used as intended.

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

Washington, DC — Today, Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Ro Khanna (CA-17) introduced the Stop Deadly Denials Act to no longer allow Medicare Advantage plans to require prior authorization for necessary medical items and services. The legislation would ensure patients are able to receive fair affordable coverage without added administrative burdens from prior authorization that frequently block care. 

“Medicare DisAdvantage makes it harder for patients to get the care they need – often leading to delays and denials of care that can be deadly. We’re now seeing the Trump Administration bring this tactic to Traditional Medicare as well, denying Americans care they need, and that they would have received before the implementation of the WISeR model. I’m leading the Stop Deadly Denials Act with Rep. Khanna because we must urgently ensure corporate insurers can’t deny care to those who need it. Patients, doctors, and advocates have been sounding the alarm about denials of care for years: it’s time for Congress to address these serious concerns,” said Rep. Pramila Jayapal.

“It’s time we stop allowing Medicare Advantage to profit off the Medicare name while denying critical coverage,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. “Affordable quality healthcare is a human right. I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Rep. Jayapal and stop Medicare Advantage from using prior authorization to delay and deny medically necessary care.”

“Since its inception, Medicare Advantage has gamed our health care system to profit off our seniors and people with disabilities,” said Jamie Brown, RN and NNU president. “Nurses applaud Representatives Pramila Jayapal and Ro Khanna for introducing the Stop Deadly Denials Act to put an end to prior authorization in Medicare Advantage. It’s time we take on corporate health insurers who use delaying and denying care to exploit our patients, and we have to stand firm in our commitment to ensure these same tactics are not used in Traditional Medicare. We must protect Medicare in our fight to pass Medicare for All!”

“Prior authorization is a tool used by Big Insurance to delay and deny care, often standing between patients and the care they need. By aligning Medicare Advantage with traditional Medicare, blocking harmful experiments like WISeR, and stopping the use of unaccountable algorithms to override physicians, this legislation will make it harder for Big Insurance to deny care to those who need it.  It also ensures transparency and accountability by requiring full public input before any future models move forward. We thank Congressman Ro Khanna for introducing this vital bill and urge Congress to pass it without delay,” said Rachel Madley, PhD, Executive Director, Center for Health and Democracy.

“Insurers shouldn’t be profiting from denying seniors the care that they need and are entitled to receive. We know that privatized Medicare plans overturn around 80 percent of their denial of care decisions upon appeal, but count on few enrollees filing those appeals. The privatized Medicare plans aggressively and mechanically deny requests for prior authorization because they know they can get away with it. The Stop Deadly Denials Act would finally put a stop to these practices and prevent perverse experiments that threaten to bring further prior authorization into Traditional Medicare,” said Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen. 

The Stop Deadly Denial Act: 

• Eliminates prior authorization for all Medicare Advantage Part A and Part B services unless required in traditional Medicare. 
• Blocks WISeR and any substantially similar prior authorization model in Traditional Medicare.
• Prohibits CMMI from testing any prior authorization model that imposes prior authorization for Part A/B services, uses AI or algorithm-driven denials without physician review, or outsources prior authorization determinations outside Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs).
• Requires CMS to use full notice-and-comment rulemaking for all future models starting in 2027. 

Read the full text of the legislation here.

Cosponsors: Representative Steve Cohen (D-TN), Representative Debby Dingell (D-MI), Representative Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Representative Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI) 

The full list of organizations that have endorsed the Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026 include: National Nurses United (NNU), Centers for Health and Democracy, Public Citizen, Just Care USA, Social Security Works, the Labor Campaign for Single Payer, and Puget Sound Advocates for Retirement Action.

Issues: Health Care