MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

 

Bill to Strengthen Strategic Relationships with Pacific Islands, and Counter Chinese Aggression in the Region

Washington, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) and Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Congressman Ed Case (D-Hawaii-01), and Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata (American Samoa) introduced a bipartisan, bicameral bill aimed at strengthening the United States’ strategic partnerships with Pacific Island nations, supporting sustainable development, and combating the increasing Chinese aggression in the region. The Pacific Partnership Act would help the U.S. establish a clear, comprehensive strategy to support diplomatic, security, and economic relationships in the Indo-Pacific region.

“Thank you to Senator Cortez Masto, Senator Ernst, and Congressman Case for their focus on these important partnerships that are close to home for my congressional district in the South Pacific,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata, who serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, including as Vice Chairman of its Subcommittee on East Asia and the Pacific. “We need sustained U.S. engagement for enduring partnerships in the Pacific Islands, keeping China’s influence in check, and strengthening mutual development opportunities.”

“Our Pacific Partnership Act responds directly to the reality that our country’s and world’s future lies in the Indo-Pacific, and that the islands of the Pacific are our indispensable partners in charting that future,” said Congressman Case. “The Pacific Islands are under increasingly severe economic, environmental and geopolitical stress, and we must expand our generational engagement to assist them where they most need assistance. The Pacific Partnership Act, molded directly on the Pacific Islands’ own blueprint to their collective future, is our roadmap to expanded engagement as well.”

“Supporting our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific is essential to combating the Chinese Communist Party’s influence and to our long-term national security,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “This bipartisan bill is critical to strengthening our ties with our allies in the Pacific and ensuring they become enduring global relationships.”

“Strengthening America’s partnerships in the Indo-Pacific is critical to deterring Chinese aggression,” said Senator Ernst. “This bipartisan legislation equips us to work with nations in the Pacific that serve as the first line of defense against the Chinese Communist Party and keep Americans safe at home.”

The U.S. has a longstanding relationship with the Pacific Islands, and they play a crucial role in U.S. national security, facilitating military operations in support of American allies and partners. Nevada – through the National Guard – collaborates with the Republic of Fiji, the Kingdom of Tonga, and the Independent State of Samoa under the National Guard Bureau’s State Partnership Program, strengthening security cooperation globally. 

The Pacific Partnership Act would strengthen these crucial ties by creating a “Strategy for Pacific Partnership.” This strategy, crafted by the President and presented to Congress every four years, would outline U.S. involvement in the Pacific Islands and highlight combined efforts to combat regional challenges including natural disasters, security threats, and economic development.

The national news release from Sen. Cortez Masto is available here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) today announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for the Third District of Nebraska.

“Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Congressional Art Competition, and thank you to all students who submitted their work. Your efforts to cultivate your talents will be showcased for a full year. Thank you to Nebraska’s art educators who inspire their students to express their imagination.”

Artwork by the first-pace winner will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol. The runners-up will have their art displayed in Rep. Smith’s Washington, D.C., Grand Island, Nebraska City, and Scottsbluff offices. Smith worked with the Nebraska Art Teachers Association to coordinate the competition.

First Place: “Set in Stone” by Brooklyn Santifer of Oxford
Southern Valley High School
Brooklyn’s work will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

Second Place: “Midwest Migration” by Ella Bokenkamp of Kearney
Kearney High School
Ella’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Washington, D.C. office.

Third Place: “Unwavering Roots” by Emma Harwood of Kearney
Kearney High School
Emma’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Grand Island office.

Fourth Place: “The Last Song” by Malynn Boyles of Litchfield
Litchfield Public Schools
Malynn’s work will be displayed in Smith’s Scottsbluff office.

Fifth Place: “A Quiet Summer Night” by James Fletcher of Litchfield
Litchfield Public Schools
James’ work will be displayed in Smith’s Nebraska City office. 

For additional information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at 308-384-3900, Nebraska City office at 402-874-6050, or his Scottsbluff office at 308-633-6333. 

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

Congressman Baird Applauds Passage of House Agriculture Committee’s Section of the One Big, Beautiful Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

WASHINGTON- Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), voted against House Republicans’ Budget Reconciliation bill that would steal $230 billion in funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

“To gift trillions of dollars in tax cuts to their billionaire friends, Republicans are taking food from the mouths of those who need our help the most, including children, veterans, seniors, and people with disabilities,” said Congressman David Scott. “That is why I filed several amendments removing all SNAP funding cuts in their disastrous and cruel Reconciliation bill. When given the opportunity to protect this crucial nutrition program millions of their constituents rely on, every single Republican voted against it. I voted NO for these irresponsible cuts on behalf of the more than 280,000 Georgians in my district and the 42 million American who rely on SNAP to not go hungry.” 

“The Atlanta Community Food Bank helps neighbors facing food insecurity by connecting them to resources to meet their nutritional needs. SNAP is a key part of this effort, as more than 43% of people facing food insecurity in Georgia are eligible for SNAP benefits, according to a recent Feeding America study,” said Sarah Fonder-Kristy, Chief Development Officer of the Atlanta Community Food Bank. “The Food Bank is grateful to Congressman Scott, and his long and steadfast support for those in need of nutrition assistance through the federal government and USDA. Food banks, alone, will not be able to fill the increasing meal gap in our communities, which is why SNAP is critical to providing continued food support for those who are struggling.”

To cut $230 billion in SNAP funding, the Republican budget would impose unrealistic and harsh work requirements, reduce monthly benefits, and prevent benefit rate adjustments from increasing in the future. These changes will make millions of existing SNAP recipients ineligible overnight. They would also increase food insecurity across the country while Republicans are decreasing funding for other forms of food assistance, such as food banks and local pantries. As many as six million SNAP recipients could be at risk of losing benefits under this Reconciliation bill.

SNAP provides assistance to over 42 million Americans, including 1.2 million low-income veterans. In Georgia’s 13^th District, 282,731 households receive assistance through SNAP—more than half include young children. Beyond slashing $230 billion from SNAP benefits, the Republican Reconciliation bill calls for $880 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $330 billion in cuts to federal education programs.

In addition to leading an amendment to remove all SNAP funding reductions, Congressman David Scott led an amendment to prohibit the implementation of any provision of the bill related to SNAP until USDA and all state agencies confirm that this bill would not cause a reduction of participation in SNAP for Veterans or the surviving families of Servicemembers or Veterans who died during active duty or from a service-related disability. All Republicans voted against this amendment as well.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined 42 Democratic Women’s Caucus members led by DWC Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Vice Chair Emilia Sykes (OH-13), and Policy Task Force Co Chair Deborah K. Ross (NC-02) in sending a letter to the Republican Members of the House Energy and Commerce, Ways and Means, and Agriculture Committees. The letter urged Republicans to stand with women and families by protecting Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs women and families need to thrive in their budget.

In the letter, sent Monday evening ahead of markups this week, DWC members explained why Medicaid and SNAP are so important for women and families across America, and how devastating these cuts will be to women already struggling to put food on the table or provide for their families:

“62% of SNAP households serving children are headed by a single adult, of which 92% were headed by women. We have a simple question for you: will you stand with single moms trying to feed their kids or with billionaires? Cuts to SNAP could steal food from the mouths of 11 million children ages 5 to 17; 4.4 million children under the age of 5; and 7.8 million seniors ages 60 and older. With rising grocery prices, this devastation will be felt even harder.”

…

“Ripping health care away from pregnant women and closing down rural hospitals under the guise of ‘eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse’ is nothing but a poor excuse for abandoning women, babies, and your duty as a Member of Congress. There are many ways to reduce fraud and keep women safe–we call on you to protect women and babies by voting against any and all cuts to Medicaid and other essential health programs.”

The Members also called on Republicans to “consider the experiences of your constituents who are navigating increasing costs while raising a family and preserve or increase the Child Tax Credit to help women and families.”

The full letter can be accessed here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. —  Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi joined 147 Democratic Members of Congress in filing an amicus brief late Monday night challenging President Donald Trump’s sweeping and chaotic tariffs unlawfully imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). The lawmakers’ brief stands up for Congress’s Article I exclusive legislative power to impose tariffs and regulate commerce, and argues that IEEPA does not give the President the power to impose reckless, on-again-off-again tariffs, which have wreaked havoc on the U.S. economy.

The amicus brief was led by Task Force Co-Chairs Joe Neguse and Ranking Member Jamie Raskin; House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries; and Ranking Members Gregory Meeks of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Richard E. Neal of the Committee on Ways and Means. It was filed in the matter of Oregon, et al., v. Trump, et al. which was brought forth by 12 States’ Attorneys General.

“President Trump’s senseless tariffs are harming San Franciscans and hardworking families across the country,” Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi said. “House Democrats are committed to defending working families from economic chaos and protecting Congress’s constitutional power to regulate trade. That’s why I proudly House Democrats’ Litigation and Rapid Response Task Force in filing an amicus brief challenging the President’s reckless, unlawful tariffs—because the American people deserve economic stability, not fear and uncertainty.”

The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the authority to impose tariffs, and the President can only raise tariffs if Congress has clearly delegated its authority to him. Although IEEPA (enacted in 1977) grants the president authority to impose sanctions, block foreign assets, and regulate economic transactions in response to “unusual and extraordinary threats” originating abroad, it is not a tariff statute and has never been used that way. Congress knows how to delegate tariff authority and has clearly done so on a number of occasions. When Congress does delegate such authority, it imposes substantive, procedural, and temporal limits on the president’s power in order to avoid economic chaos and protect the American people. 

The full brief is available HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey Continues Call for Hegseth to Resign

Washington, DC: Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) continues his call for the Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, to resign or be fired in light of revelations Hegseth leaked classified intelligence on Signal more than once:

“The latest revelations about Secretary Hegseth recklessly leaking classified military operations over Signal—to his wife, his brother, and his personal lawyer— is another clear reason why Hegseth is unfit to lead the Department of Defense,” said Congressman Veasey. “His few short months as head of DoD have been marked by chaos, corruption, and crime. His appointment is a clear and present danger to our troops and our national security.

Hegseth has no business overseeing our national defense. I am demanding a full investigation and calling on Secretary Hegseth to resign immediately—before his next text message gets someone killed.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Statement from Congressman Marc Veasey (Member, India Caucus) on the Terrorist Attack in Kashmir

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Veasey, Member of the India Caucus, released the following statement following a terrorist attack in Kashmir on April 22, 2025: 

“I am horrified and heartbroken by the brutal terrorist attack in Kashmir today that claimed the lives of more than 20 innocent people. This senseless violence is an act of pure evil, and I condemn it in the strongest possible terms.

Terrorism in any form is unacceptable, and the United States must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners in India as they confront these cowardly attacks. 

This attack also hits close to home. Many families in North Texas—especially in the Valley Ranch area—have loved ones and deep ties to the region. To those in our own communities feeling fear, sorrow, and anger today: you are not alone. My office stands with you and we are ready to provide support.

We will not allow extremists to sow fear, hatred, or division. We will continue to stand firmly for peace, justice, and security—for the people of India, for our Indian American neighbors, and for all who reject terrorism in all its forms.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep. Veasey Demands Critical Dallas County Funding be Restored to Contain Measles Outbreak in Texas

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33), along with Congresswoman Julie Johnson (TX-33) and Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), demanded that $7.7 million in public health grants for Dallas County Health and Human Services (DCHHS) abruptly terminated by the Trump Administration be restored to address the measles outbreak that has reached the Dallas-Fort Worth area.  

“DCHHS relied on this critical funding to safeguard public health in one of the most populous and fastest-growing metroplexes in the nation,” the Members wrote. “Stripping these resources without warning, amid a serious and unprecedented outbreak, significantly undermines Dallas County’s ability to respond to measles and other communicable diseases, placing millions of residents at immediate risk. We demand answers regarding this decision and urge the CDC to take swift corrective action to mitigate the harm caused by the revocation of these life-saving funds.”

In the midst of a surging measles epidemic, the revoked funding included three major pandemic grants totaling $70 million, including a Vaccination Capacity Grant that was being used to coordinate measles vaccination clinics throughout Dallas County. Without this grant, DCHHS has had to cancel these vaccination clinics, just as the first case of measles was reported in the Dallas-Fort Worth area in a middle-school child on April 23^rd. 

The members are demanding answers from CDC on why this critical funding was revoked in the middle of an unprecedented measles outbreak, and how DCHHS can have the funding restored, immediately. 

 

To read the full letter, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep. Veasey Blasts Republicans for Silencing Lung Cancer Survivor at Medicaid Hearing

Washington D.C.-  In a disturbing escalation of Republican efforts to gut Medicaid behind closed doors, Republicans on the Energy & Commerce Committee tonight silenced a constituent and lung cancer survivor who dared to speak out against their disastrous healthcare cuts that would be a death warrant for millions of Americans.

Carla, a Texan and daughter of a WWII Veteran, dialed into the E&C Committee’s hearing to share her powerful story—how she lost her health insurance after the startup she worked for collapsed, and how Medicaid became her only lifeline after being diagnosed with lung cancer. Rather than listen, Republicans cut her off and attempted to reprimand Congressman Veasey for standing up for her right to be heard.

Why the censorship? Because Republicans are pushing a $715 billion tax cut for billionaires—paid for by slashing Medicaid and ripping healthcare away from millions of Americans. And they’re doing it in secret: scheduling the Medicaid portion of the hearing in the dead of night to bury the news and avoid accountability.

“They’re not just cowards—they’re liars,” said Congressman Veasey. “They’re lying about Medicaid. They’re too scared to face their own constituents at town halls, and too ashamed to defend their cuts in daylight. They tried to silence Carla—but I (we) won’t be silenced. If Republicans won’t defend Medicaid or the people who rely on it, then I will. To Trump and Republicans: STOP CAPPIN’.”

From running away from the American people to shutting down voices in committee, Republicans are proving they can’t defend their own actions—because they know the truth would infuriate the voters they’re betraying.

Congressman Veasey and Democrats vow to keep fighting back—loudly, publicly, and relentlessly—because Medicaid should not be a sacrifice for billionaires’ tax breaks.

Rep. Veasey repeatedly called out Republicans for lying to the American people about Medicaid.