MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Committee Democrats Request Trump Admin Provide Memos Defending Blatantly Unconstitutional Attempt to Accept Qatari “Flying Palace” Without Congressional Consent

WASHINGTON — Today, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Pramila Jayapal, member of the House Judiciary Committee, led Committee Democrats in a letter demanding the Department of Justice (DOJ) and White House Counsel’s Office provide legal memoranda that reportedly bless Donald Trump’s efforts to flout the clear text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause and accept a luxury private jet—described as a “flying palace”—from the State of Qatar without seeking the consent of Congress.

“President Trump is reportedly relying on memos that you authored, at his request, to accept a $400 million airplane from the State of Qatar—described in media reports as a ‘flying palace’ and ‘the most luxurious private jet in the world’—without obtaining, or even seeking, Congress’s consent.  Any legal memo purporting to make such a claim would obviously fly in the face of the text of the Constitution’s Foreign Emoluments Clause, which explicitly prohibits the President from accepting any ‘present [or] Emolument . . . of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince, or foreign State’ unless he has ‘the Consent of Congress.’ Accordingly, we are writing to request that you provide the Committee on the Judiciary with these memos immediately as their analysis and conclusions are apparently the basis for the President’s decision to disregard the plain text of the Constitution,” wrote the Members.

On May 11, an ABC News report revealed that President Trump plans to accept a $400 million private jet from the Qatari Royal Family to use as Air Force One—a lavish and unconstitutional gift which he intends to transfer to his personal presidential library foundation at the conclusion of his term.

Reports indicate that the DOJ and White House Counsel’s Office are aiding Trump’s efforts to paper over this clear Constitutional violation and reportedly drafted an analysis for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth concluding that it is legal for the Department of Defense to accept the aircraft as a gift and later turn it over to Trump’s presidential library.

The Constitution is clear that Congress—not the Attorney General or the White House Counsel—has the exclusive authority to approve or reject a gift “of any kind whatever” given to the President by a foreign government.

Attorney General Pam Bondi’s involvement in this matter is particularly egregious since she should have recused herself given her conflict of interest. Bondi was previously a registered foreign agent of the Qatari government, earning $115,000 per month to lobby on its behalf prior to entering the Administration.

Trump’s acceptance of this unprecedented and unconstitutional gift has sparked bipartisan criticism and outrage, with even Republican Members of Congress and conservative media raising concerns about national security risks and the appearance of corruption. Additionally, this supposedly “free plane” may cost the taxpayer billions of dollars to overhaul to meet “all the survivability, security and communications requirements of Air Force One.”

Judiciary Democrats requested Attorney General Bondi and White House Counsel David Warrington provide all documents and communications related to or purporting to justify or provide legal analysis regarding the constitutionality of the President’s acceptance of the Qatari plane; all documents and communications related to an agreement between the State of Qatar and the United States regarding the transfer of the plane; and all documents related to whether Attorney General Bondi should recuse herself in matters related to emoluments from Qatar.

The letter comes after Judiciary Democrats filed a Resolution demanding Trump comply with the Constitutional rules on foreign gifts by seeking the consent of Congress before accepting the Qatari plane.

Click here to read the letter.

Issues: Foreign Affairs & National Security, Government Reform & Ethics

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, released the following statement after House Republicans on the Ways and Means Committee advanced their budget bill following an 18-hour, overnight markup in which Democrats offered numerous amendments to protect working families:

“My Democratic colleagues and I fought through the night—offering amendment after amendment to protect the middle class and push for a more responsible, fairer tax policy.

But Republicans rejected every single one. Instead, they doubled down on a budget that would cause the largest loss of health care in American history—kicking 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance just to pay for tax breaks for billionaires.

That’s not just cruel—it’s unprecedented. Not even during the Great Depression did we see a loss of health care on this scale.

This Republican bill is a gift to the ultra-wealthy at the expense of working families—and I’ll keep fighting it every step of the way.”

Congressman Boyle’s opening remarks can be viewed here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC – In today’s Ways and Means Committee markup, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), Ranking Member of the House Budget Committee, slammed the Republican plan to cut taxes for billionaires while throwing 13.7 million Americans off their health insurance, as confirmed by the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office.

Remarks as delivered and video are below:

 

(Click for video of remarks as delivered) 

Congressman Boyle’s full opening remarks as delivered:

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Well, here we are, the president’s big, beautiful bill for billionaires: tax cuts, almost all of which go to the top 1 percent paid for by the biggest cut to health care in American history.

Don’t take my word for it. Just days ago, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office confirmed that at least 13.7 million Americans will lose their health care because of this bill. That’s historic.

I went back and checked. No other previous bill, no other previous law, no other previous event caused so many millions of Americans to lose their health care. Not even the Great Depression.

So, congratulations. This is one hell of an achievement. And why? All to pay for tax cuts for the richest people in America, the top 1 percent. Now you can understand why many of us on the Democratic side are attacking this awful proposal, but it’s not just us.

Just yesterday, conservative Republican from Missouri, Senator Josh Hawley called cutting Medicaid and the other health programs “morally wrong.” He’s right, but that’s not all.

It turns out after cutting Medicaid and cutting the Affordable Care Act and cutting nutrition assistance and cutting education programs and on and on and on, even after all of that, all of those cuts as large as they are only pay for about 25 percent of the tax cuts for the rich.

So how does this legislation pay for the rest of it? More added to the national credit card. Our national debt will explode as a result of this, to the tune of almost $4 trillion more added to the national debt.

I never want to hear ever again anyone on the other side lecture us about deficit and debt.  No single piece of legislation in my time here in Congress will do more to add to the national debt than this one.

The American people get it. They were asked a few weeks ago in one opinion poll, do you support cutting Medicaid to pay for tax cuts? 81 percent of the American people said no, and that was before the Congressional Budget Office confirmed that over 13 million Americans will lose their health coverage.

Now sure, you can spin numbers, you can spin statistics. It’s the reason why Mark Twain once said there are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies, and statistics.

You won’t be able to spin the thirteen and a half million Americans who lose their health care as a result of this bill. No amount of spinning will convince them to believe something contrary to what they actually are about to live.

I say to all of my colleagues here, we can do better. We can ensure that we have tax relief for almost every American, and we can do it in a way that doesn’t rip away health coverage from more than 13 million Americans.

I urge all of my colleagues to reject this big, beautiful bill for billionaires. I yield back.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

Medicare and Social Security Fair Share Act would make wealthiest Americans pay fairer share to protect solvency of bedrock health care and retirement programs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) released the following statement after Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost was chosen by the conclave to serve as the next Pope:

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to the new Holy Father—the first American-born Pope. This is a truly historic moment for the Catholic Church and for the world. I pray that his moral leadership brings renewed compassion and unity to people of all backgrounds around the world.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brendan Boyle (13th District of Pennsylvania)

PHILADELPHIA, PA – Yesterday, Congressman Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02) joined local education leaders to denounce the Trump Administration’s elimination of AmeriCorps funding—cuts that threaten critical education and youth development programs across Philadelphia.

At the press conference, Congressman Boyle was joined by Hillary Kane, Director of the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND); David Weinstein, Executive Director of Joyful Readers; Darryl Bundridge, Executive Director of City Year Philadelphia; and Anna Shurak, Executive Director of Teach For America Philadelphia. Together, they highlighted the devastating consequences these cuts would have on students, schools, and communities throughout the city.

“You can understand why AmeriCorps has long had bipartisan support in Congress, and I stand with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to demand that this funding be restored across our commonwealth,” said Congressman Boyle. “AmeriCorps members are meeting this moment. They’re working in our schools and food banks. Helping veterans access vital services, supporting seniors and so much more in every ZIP code. They’re actively working to make Philadelphia a better place.”

“Our program this year served 170 students, mostly in high schools in West Philadelphia. And we had to tell our members that Friday was their last day,” said Hillary Kane, Director of the Philadelphia Higher Education Network for Neighborhood Development (PHENND). “AmeriCorps has been a vital resource for us to help make these connections and to provide better services to folks.”

“Can you imagine being an AmeriCorps member, serving for a modest stipend, supporting kids, and being told over the weekend you can’t go back, your term of service has ended,” said David Weinstein, Executive Director of Joyful Readers. “Can you imagine being a student who’s learning how to read, who’s struggling a little bit, but has someone there supporting them, and now you’re starting to get it, but on Monday your tutor just doesn’t show up and you don’t really know why.”

In Pennsylvania, AmeriCorps invested nearly $39 million in federal funding last year, leveraging an additional $16 million from private and local partners—generating over $17 in economic value for every dollar spent. In Philadelphia alone, more than 1,300 AmeriCorps members served in schools, afterschool programs, and nonprofits during the 2023–2024 fiscal year. That includes 125 Teach For America teachers reaching over 7,700 students in North and West Philadelphia, and City Year Philadelphia, which provided success coaching and academic support to more than 7,000 students across 12 local schools.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Representative Mikie Sherrill sent a letter to Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau demanding immediate federal action to resolve the air traffic control staffing and systems crisis affecting Newark Liberty International Airport. In the past two weeks alone, over 5,000 flights have been delayed and dozens of round-trip routes canceled, leaving thousands of New Jerseyans stranded or forced to miss critical life events like their child’s graduation.

Rep. Sherrill cited repeated radar and communications outages at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) facility—responsible for managing Newark’s airspace—as well as severe staffing shortages, as unacceptable threats to public safety.

“I have flown in heavily congested airspaces as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, so I know how dangerous a 90 second radar and communications outage can be for passengers and crew in the air and on the ground,” wrote Rep. Sherrill. “While I welcomed the Administration and FAA’s comments about increasing air traffic controller staffing and technology upgrades, I am disappointed with the lack of urgency and action. Radar and communications blackouts and unprecedented staffing shortages have continued in the week since, prompting concerns about when federal assistance will actually be available for the Philadelphia TRACON and when my constituents can expect relief from this transportation disaster. On behalf of my New Jersey constituents, I demand answers and action as soon as possible in response to the following questions regarding DOT and FAA’s strategy to return the Philadelphia TRACON and Newark Airport airspace to full operations and safety.”

Read the full letter here or below:

Dear Secretary Duffy and Acting Administrator Rocheleau:

Over the past two weeks, thousands of my constituents in New Jersey have faced a transportation nightmare – including more than 5,000 flight delays and the cancellation of dozens of round-trip routes – in the central hub for air transit in our region. Not only are families unable to reach loved ones in the hospital or attend their child’s graduation, but they are increasingly worried about whether it is safe to fly in and out of Newark Liberty International Airport at all.

Since the public was made aware of the April 28th radar and communications blackout at the Philadelphia Terminal Radar Approach Control (TRACON) – which manages Newark’s airspace – the situation at Newark Airport has only worsened. On May 9th, radar screens at the Philadelphia TRACON went dark again for another 90-second period. On May 11th, communications and radar displays went down for a third time in less than 14 days, causing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to order a 45-minute ground stop at Newark Airport. On May 12th, meanwhile, staffing shortages at the Philadelphia TRACON were so severe that several hours during the evening had only three air traffic controllers on duty, dramatically lower than the target of 14 controllers for managing the Newark airspace in evening hours.

Needless to say, this situation is unacceptable. I have flown in heavily congested airspaces as a helicopter pilot in the U.S. Navy, so I know how dangerous a 90 second radar and communications outage can be for passengers and crew in the air and on the ground. Last week, I called on the Department of Transportation and the FAA to boost staffing and resource capacity immediately for the Philadelphia TRACON that controls Newark’s airspace. Additional personnel are critically needed to make up for the air traffic controllers who were forced to take trauma leave after their experiences on April 28th, and more financial resources and equipment are required to deploy backup communications connections between the Philadelphia TRACON and the Long Island-based equipment still used for Newark air traffic control.

While I welcomed the Administration and FAA’s comments about increasing air traffic controller staffing and technology upgrades, I am disappointed with the lack of urgency and action. Radar and communications blackouts and unprecedented staffing shortages have continued in the week since, prompting concerns about when federal assistance will actually be available for the Philadelphia TRACON and when my constituents can expect relief from this transportation disaster.

On behalf of my New Jersey constituents, I demand answers and action as soon as possible in response to the following questions regarding DOT and FAA’s strategy to return the Philadelphia TRACON and Newark Airport airspace to full operations and safety:

1. What are DOT and FAA’s immediate plans to increase the number of air traffic controllers at the Philadelphia TRACON, particularly given the current 20% reduction in staffing capacity as a result of controllers taking trauma leave based on the events of April 28th? What is your deadline for when additional controllers will be able to start work at the Philadelphia TRACON? Is the FAA planning to shift additional air traffic controllers to Philly, and if so, where will these air traffic controllers be moved from? What Newark airspace-specific training will these air traffic controllers need and what is your timeframe for providing it?
    
2. What are DOT and FAA’s immediate plans to add three new, high-bandwidth telecommunications connections between Philadelphia TRACON and the Long Island TRACON, as well as to install a temporary backup STARS radar hub at Philadelphia TRACON? When will this new equipment be operational and ready to manage the Newark airspace?
    
3. Regarding DOT and FAA’s longer-term strategy for Newark’s airspace, when will a permanent STARS hub be operational at Philadelphia TRACON so that it doesn’t need to rely on the Long Island radar feed? Have DOT and FAA evaluated moving Newark airspace control back to the Long Island TRACON?
    
4. What are DOT and FAA’s long-term plans to expand the air traffic controller workforce, including increased funding for workforce development programs, an expansion of the FAA Air Traffic Controller Academy, increased wages and benefits for controllers, and a streamlined hiring process for applicants?
    
5. As DOT and FAA increase air traffic controller hiring and training, how will you ensure that new controllers are available to work at the Philadelphia TRACON and air traffic control for New Jersey’s airspace? New Jersey currently does not have any participating colleges or universities in the Air Traffic Collegiate Training Initiative, which could help develop a New Jersey air traffic controller workforce. Will DOT and FAA commit to expanding the Collegiate Training Initiative to New Jersey?
    
6. Last year’s bipartisan FAA Reauthorization legislation provided $70 billion for FAA safety programs (including hiring additional air traffic controllers) and $20 billion for technology modernization. It also expanded the Aviation Workforce Development Grant Program to boost the number of training positions for air traffic controllers. How are DOT and FAA using these funds to boost the air traffic controller workforce?

It is critical that DOT and FAA act urgently to address this unprecedented situation. Without an immediate boost in air traffic controller staffing levels at the Philadelphia TRACON that manages Newark’s airspace, and the creation of multiple redundancies in the Philadelphia TRACON’s radar and communications systems, equipment blackouts will undoubtedly continue – putting lives at risk and degrading trust in America’s air infrastructure. 

Congress stands ready to act in whatever way is needed, along bipartisan lines. It’s time to put an end to this crisis.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) has introduced H.R. 3378, the Racehorse Health and Safety Act (RHSA), which protects the health and welfare of racing horses and improves the integrity and safety of horse racing. Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

This legislation is a direct response to the concerns surrounding the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA), which was signed into law, through an omnibus bill, in 2020. Passed with the intention of bringing uniformity to the horse racing industry, HISA establishes a wide set of rules that are implemented and enforced by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority. Since its passage, which Congressman Higgins opposed, HISA has been riddled with legal setbacks, including the death of 12 horses at Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby.

The Racehorse Health and Safety Act would:

• Repeal the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Act (HISA);
• Grant states the right to enter into the interstate compact, which is a contract between multiple states to develop nationwide rules governing scientific control and racetrack safety for horse racing;
• Establish the Racehorse Health and Safety Organization (RHSO), which will regulate the horse racing industry;
• Establish three Scientific Medication Control Committees (SMCCs) to draft recommended rules for each breed.

“Government overreach is impacting industries across our nation with rules in places where they have no business being,” said Congressman Higgins. “The well-intentioned disaster of HISA proved that enforcing uniformed rules in horse racing plagues the industry with confusion and disruption. This legislation is rooted in science and draws from industry experts. It is of horsemen, by horsemen, and for horsemen. We must push back against federal oppression and protect the horse racing industry and the beautiful animals we love.”

“The RHSA will provide horse owners and racetracks flexibility, while also bringing safe and effective regulation to the horseracing industry,” said Senator Cotton.

Read the legislation here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released a statement on Republicans budget plan to slash Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act, and food assistance from our seniors, veterans, children, and hard-working families. This week, Republicans released a plan that dictates the specific cuts they would be making to these programs and voted for them in their Congressional committees.

“Trump and Republicans in Congress spent months lying to the American people, saying they would preserve health care, and they wouldn’t touch Medicaid,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This week, Republicans voted to make the largest cuts to Medicaid and food assistance in American history. Millions of seniors, veterans, children, and hardworking families will lose their healthcare coverage, and millions more will be left hungry. Let’s be clear; when Medicaid is cut, people don’t ‘tighten their belts.’ They lose access to life-saving medications, they skip doctor visits because they can’t afford them, they forgo vital surgeries and, in some cases, they die. Cutting Medicaid won’t create prosperity it will create poverty.  We must fight back, because Medicaid matters, food for our seniors and children matters. I will never stop fighting for our seniors, veterans, children, and hard-working families in South Jersey.”

The Republican budget plan will end healthcare coverage for almost 14 million Americans: 

• The bill’s Medicaid and Affordable Care Act cuts terminate health insurance for 8.6 million Americans
• Republicans’ plans to take away enhanced tax credits cause another 5.1 million Americans to lose coverage.

The Republican budget plan directs:

• At least $700 billion in Medicaid cuts, terminating health insurance and slashing benefits, like home care and mental health services, for low-income seniors, kids, veterans, people with disabilities, and working families.
• A $350 billion cut to the Affordable Care Act because Republicans refuse to extend tax credits that ensure Americans can afford their health coverage 

Largest cut to SNAP, which provides critical food assistance for low-income families, in American history:

• 27,000 grocery stores could be at risk of closure due to a massive loss in revenue, creating and exacerbating food deserts in largely rural areas.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (21st District of New York)

Stefanik Encourages AG Pam Bondi to Investigate New York State’s Unconstitutional Gun Laws | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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