MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered remarks at the House Committee on Appropriations Full Committee Markup of the FY 2027 Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) bill in support of an amendment by U.S. Representative Norma Torres (CA-35) that would prohibit the hiring of insurrectionists who participated in the events of January 6, 2021 from holding a position of responsibility in the federal government. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video of his remarks.

“The President had the authority to do what he did. The question is, what did the people do? What did these people, who were either convicted or plead guilty and found guilty, do? Mr. Chairman, January 6th, 2021, was one of the darkest days in the history of our country and of our institution. The President of the United States invited people to Washington, D.C. for the express purpose of ‘stopping the steal.’ He then proceeded to incite those people in front of the White House, the White House that he is now dismembering. He then, after inciting that mob, said, ‘I want you to go down to the Capitol, stop the steal,’ and a direct quote is ‘Fight like hell.’ This was not an act of a President of the United States to suggest that people involve themselves in petitioning their government. It was [an] incitement to destroy their government, undermine the Constitution of the United States, and to have the result the loss of life by some officers, the injury of others, and to send a message around the country that the Constitution should be undermined by force. That is treason, and the rationalization of treason is a danger to our nation, and then incitement to others to do the same.

“The President said that he would pardon some 1500 people who were found guilty or pled guilty, either by a jury of their peers or by a judge, or by their own admission. The President had said during the course of the campaign to the Proud Boys, ‘Stand back and stand by.’ Why did he pardon these people over the objections of some of his supporters? In my view, it is because he wanted them to ‘stand by and stand back,’ and as a result, he pardoned them so that they would be out of prison. I don’t think there’s a previous example of this action by any President of the United States. This is an incitement to the extent that people can rationalize, ‘Well, if he calls us again to Washington, if he loses his hope to violate the Constitution again and be elected a third time,’ or, perhaps, as he said, ‘If you elect me, you won’t have to have another election.’ That’s a quote. I don’t know exactly what he meant by that, but it is ominous. And if we as a Congress continue to pretend that was just another day in Washington, we undermine our oath and our country.

“This amendment says we will not rationalize it by having people who pled guilty, found guilty, pardoned or not, serve in the institution that they threatened on January 26th – excuse me, January 6th, 2021. But I fear that that group of 1500 people is going to watch this committee and see some 33 or 34 people say, ‘It was okay. We’ll forget it. Come work with us.’ The lady’s amendment simply says, ‘We are not going to rationalize insurrection. We’re not going to stand by – stand back and stand by while this occurs.’ I urge us all to stand united and say this conduct is impermissible in America. You go to the ballot box, you debate, you resolve differences peacefully. Support this amendment.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Zoe Lofgren (D-FL), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) today, on Earth Day, introduced the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act. This legislation would support planning for and identification of natural species migration patterns to improve safe, free movement between habitats by establishing a National Wildlife Corridor System.

“Biodiversity loss has a major impact on our planet’s resilience and affects our lives as humans. Wildlife corridors are one of the simplest yet most effective solutions to mitigate that loss by supporting habitat connectivity,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “By connecting different habitat areas, we can help animals access necessary food and resources, support genetic diversity, and give species the space they need to thrive.”

“Florida is home to some of the nation’s most treasured wildlife in the country, from panthers and alligators to manatees and sea turtles,” said Rep. Vern Buchanan. “Safeguarding their habitats is critical for the survival of these species and the preservation of our state’s ecosystems. As Co-Chair of the Animal Protection Caucus, I am honored to help introduce this bipartisan legislation that gives states the power to protect vital wildlife corridors. Earth Day is the perfect opportunity to advance commonsense solutions that ensure the future of our nation’s wildlife.”

“This Earth Day, I’m proud to help lead this bipartisan bill that would have a profound and positive impact on America’s biodiversity,” said Rep. Zoe Lofgren. “Especially in my home state of California, wildlife corridors have proven to be a key solution to help species that are moving across habitats due to climate change. Not only will this bill help to reduce vehicle collisions with wildlife, but it will allow America’s many ecosystems to flourish.”

“When conservation is done right, the benefits reach well beyond the landscape itself. This initiative will help protect habitat, strengthen biodiversity, and improve wildlife movement, while making our roads safer and reducing property damage here at home,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick. “Just as importantly, it gives state and local partners a more effective path to bring federal dollars back and invest them in practical solutions tailored to local needs. This is exactly the kind of commonsense, community-focused stewardship our communities deserve.”

This legislation is endorsed by the Endangered Species Coalition and Defenders of Wildlife.

“From Florida panthers to pronghorn and monarch butterflies, wildlife need to move across the landscape to survive. Protecting wildlife corridors is one of the most important tools we have to address the biodiversity crisis, especially in the face of climate change,” said Susan Holmes, Executive Director of the Endangered Species Coalition. “By creating a national system of wildlife corridors, this bill will safeguard biodiversity and protect some of our most endangered species. We thank Representatives Beyer, Buchanan, Lofgren, and Fitzpatrick for their leadership in championing this critical effort.”

“Rep. Beyer, Buchanan, Lofgren, and Fitzpatrick’s legislation would address a key driver of the biodiversity crisis by enhancing wildlife connectivity across our public lands,” said Christian Hunt, Director of National Wildlife Refuges and Parks Program at Defenders of Wildlife. “The science is clear – where wildlife movement is restricted, local extinctions follow. This bill offers a durable, long-term solution that will be critical to reversing that trend.” 

The Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act would establish a habitat connectivity mapping and science program in collaboration with federal, state, and tribal governments to identify, protect and plan with critical wildlife corridors in mind. This bill would also establish a wildlife corridor grant program administered by the National Fish and Wildlife to support these efforts.

Text of the Wildlife Corridors and Habitat Connectivity Conservation Act is available here.

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

Washington D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of Chairman David Scott.

“It was with deep sadness that I learned of the passing of our dear colleague David Scott. Personally, I knew him as a man of faith and family. Officially, I knew him as proud to serve in the Congress where he gave it his all.

“He took pride in representing the state of Georgia where he served with purpose, including as a senior Member and former chair of the House Agriculture Committee. May it be a comfort to his wife Alfredia, daughters Dayna and Marcye, and all his loved ones that so many are praying for them at this time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) signed onto Representative Jamie Raskin’s (D-MD-08) bill to give Congress a role in determining when a president is unfit to carry out their duties.

The bill would establish a nonpartisan “Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office”, the body and process called for in Section 4 of the 25th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution to enable Congress to ensure effective and uninterrupted leadership in the presidency.

“Between threatening to wipe out entire civilizations and picking fights with the Pope, Donald Trump has proven himself fundamentally unfit for office,” said Rep. Carbajal. “The chaos of his tenure serves as a critical wake-up call to strengthen our Constitution. That’s why I’m supporting this legislation to formalize Congress’s role in the 25th Amendment process. By creating clearer pathways to address an unstable or incapacitated president, we’re ensuring that the White House remains accountable to the American people.”

Section 4 of the 25th Amendment empowers Congress to establish a permanent “body” that, with the agreement of the Vice President, can declare that the President is “unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office.”

Although the 25th Amendment was adopted more than 50 years ago, Congress never set up the body called for in Section 4. Rep. Raskin’s bill would establish this independent nonpartisan body: The Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of Office. If passed, this bill would mean the Vice President could act either with a majority of the Cabinet or a majority of this body in the event of a 25th Amendment crisis.

Under the bill, the Speaker of the House, House Minority Leader, Senate Majority Leader, and Senate Minority Leader will each select four retired statespersons from the Executive Branch (such as former Presidents, Vice Presidents, Attorneys General and Surgeons General, Secretaries of State, Defense, and Treasury) to serve on the Commission.

Additionally, the Democratic and Republican leaders of each chamber will select four physicians and four psychiatrists to serve on the Commission. The 16 appointed members then select a 17th member to act as the Chair of the Commission. In order to avoid conflicts of interest and both civilian and military chain of command issues, none of the members can be current elected officials, federal employees, or members of the active or reserve military.

Bill text is available here. An overview of the legislation and background on the 25th Amendment is available here. FAQs are available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative James E (Jim) Clyburn (6th District of South Carolina)

COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA — Today, Congressman James E. Clyburn (SC-06) announced $1,642,458 in Department of Transportation grant funding from the Federal Aviation Administration for rural airports in South Carolina’s 6^th Congressional District:

“Improving the safety, efficiency, and infrastructure of our airports in South Carolina remains one of my key priorities as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies,” said Congressman James E. Clyburn. “These upgrades mean more reliable service, jobs, and opportunities for our state. I continue to support the need for robust investments in our local transportation and airport centers, and welcome these grants that will help improve the day-to-day lives for South Carolinians and those travelling throughout our state.”

The following grants awarded in South Carolina’s 6^th Congressional District are:

$443,000 for Allendale County: This project rehabilitates existing Runway 17/35 lighting to extend its useful life. This grant funds a portion of the final phase, which consist of construction. This grant is associated with an Airport Improvement Program grant that funds the remaining eligible portion of the phase.

$282,000 for the City of Orangeburg: This project updates the existing airport layout plan.

$917,458 for the City of Walterboro: This grant funds the final phase, which consists of construction. This project constructs a 300-foot Taxiway to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.

The Airport Improvement Program provides grants to public agencies — and, in some cases, to private owners and entities — for the planning and development of public-use airports that are included in the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems (NPIAS).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Tom McClintock has introduced H.R. 8380, legislation to reform the congressional budget process by ensuring timely consideration of annual appropriations bills and reducing the risk of government shutdowns.

Under current law, discretionary spending is determined through the 12 annual appropriations bills, each of which must overcome a 60-vote threshold in the Senate.  While these bills often pass the House after extensive deliberation, they frequently stall in the Senate for lack of cloture, forcing Congress into last-minute continuing resolutions or risking costly and disruptive government shutdowns.

H.R. 8380 addresses this dysfunction by amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to provide the same expedited consideration for appropriations bills in the Senate that is currently granted to reconciliation legislation.  By streamlining the process, the bill promotes timely passage of funding measures and restores accountability to Congress’s core responsibility of funding the government.

By aligning the treatment of discretionary spending bills with the expedited procedures used for mandatory spending reforms under reconciliation, H.R. 8380 encourages a more predictable and transparent budgeting process.  When enacted the legislation will reduce reliance on omnibus packages and continuing resolutions, empowering lawmakers to debate and pass individual appropriations bills as intended.

“Much of Congress’ constitutional role involves the power of the purse — setting priorities and allocating resources are our principal means of shaping policy and exercising the checks and balances at the core of our constitutional architecture,” remarked Rep. McClintock.  “This commonsense reform will strengthen congressional accountability and help to restore regular order to the budget process.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), co-chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-09), and Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led a group of 56 total lawmakers in introducing a resolution that recognizes recent historic environmental actions that have improved the health and well-being of our planet, while reaffirming the work that still needs to be done to secure a livable future for the next generation.

“Earth Day is about people as much as it is about the planet. It is about the air our children breathe, the water families drink, and the future we leave for our children,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “We have made real progress to reduce pollution, expand clean energy, and build healthier communities – and those gains are making a difference in people’s lives. But while the Trump Administration is rolling back environmental protections, we cannot afford to lose ground. This resolution honors how far we have come and renews our responsibility to keep fighting for the next generation.”

“On Earth Day, communities across the country reaffirm their commitment to protecting the environment and our treasured public lands,” said Congressman Neguse. “And for me, as a proud Coloradan, the fight to ensure future generations can enjoy the outdoors the same way we have is deeply personal. Which is why I’m proud to join my colleagues in continuing to charge forward in Congress with efforts that prioritize protecting our planet.” 

“Addressing the climate crisis is necessary to save lives and protect generations yet unborn. I am proud to join my colleagues including Representatives Matsui, Neguse, and McClellan to fight the Trump Administration’s attempts to dismantle safeguards, abandon proven conservation practices, cancel clean energy projects, and further entrench dependence on fossil fuels,” said Congressman Cohen. “On this Earth Day, I hope the people of this planet will take a moment to reflect on the image of a blue marble in infinite space that our astronauts on Artemis just gifted us as they flew home from the moon, and renew a commitment to making our world more healthy in both large and small ways.”

“As the climate crisis exacerbates natural disasters, extreme weather events and more, I often think of my children and the world they will inherit long after I am gone,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “We cannot afford to sit back and do nothing as future generations look to us to fight for a healthy, livable planet. While the Trump Administration continues to roll back environmental protections and neglects our duty to invest in clean energy and energy efficiency programs, I join Reps. Matsui, Neguse and Cohen to recommit ourselves to working towards a clean and sustainable future — because there is no Planet B.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), and Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on the Western Hemisphere, are demanding answers from the State Department after Jayapal and Jackson were denied the ability to meet with Chargé d’Affaires Mike Hammer at the U.S. Embassy in Havana during a Congressional delegation. 

“Congressional delegations rely on the support and engagement of U.S. embassy personnel to better understand local conditions, assess policy impacts, and ensure that our diplomatic efforts align with broader national interests,” wrote the Members. “We write to express deep concern that the State Department has ostensibly prohibited officials at the U.S. Embassy in Cuba from engaging with members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee traveling to Cuba on official business to conduct oversight regarding the impacts of U.S. policy on the Cuban people. Such a directive represents a troubling departure from long-standing norms of cooperation between the legislative and executive branches in the conduct of American foreign policy.”

“Given the ongoing negotiations between the Trump Administration and the Cuban government and threats from President Trump to ‘take’ Cuba, denying members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee access to embassy officials sends a troubling message that the Administration is attempting to block voices that disagree with it,” continued the Members.

The full text of the letter can be read here.

The letter was also signed by House Foreign Affairs Committee Members, Representatives Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37) and Ted W. Lieu (CA-36).