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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, U.S. Representatives Rick Larsen (D-WA), Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Maxine Dexter (D-OR) introduced the Mammography Access for Veterans Act. This bipartisan legislation would expand veterans’ access to lifesaving breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“Women are the fastest-growing group in the veteran population,” Rep. Larsen said. “As the number of women veterans rapidly increases, VA must continue to modernize its women’s health care services. This bill is one step toward ensuring women veterans around the country have access to lifesaving, preventative screenings for breast cancer.”

“Our veterans deserve access to the health care they need, particularly women who have served honorably, and this is just one of the drivers behind the bipartisan Mammography Access for Veterans Act,” Rep. Thompson said. “Early detection of breast cancer leads to better health outcomes and this legislation will save lives, especially of those veteran women living in rural areas, where access to mammography can often be limited.”

“As a pulmonary and critical care physician who served at the VA, I know early detection saves lives,” Rep. Dexter said. “No one—but especially our veterans—should worry about access to preventative healthcare. After all they’ve done for us, making breast cancer screenings more easily accessible is the least we can do.”

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act would expand veterans’ access to breast cancer screenings through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and would permanently authorize telehealth or telescreening mammography for veterans living in rural areas or states where VA does not offer full-service mammography care.

The Making Advances in Mammography and Medical Options (MAMMO) for Veterans Act was signed into law in 2022. As of June 2025, the MAMMO Act Pilot Program was responsible for over 7,000 mammography screenings across the United States.

Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chairman Jerry Moran (R-KS), Senator Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Senator John Boozman (R-AR) introduced the Senate companion bill in December.

The Mammography Access for Veterans Act is supported by multiple veterans’ advocacy groups including Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Wounded Warrior Project, Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), and Military Officers Association of America (MOAA).

“PVA supports the introduction of the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which builds on the success of the VA’s telescreening mammography pilot and removes a critical access barrier for veterans who live where VA doesn’t offer full-service mammography,” said Heather Ansley, Chief Policy Officer at PVA. “Permanently authorizing tele mammography ensures timely, high-quality screening for veterans. We thank Congressman Thompson for championing this commonsense measure that improves care for veterans across the country.”

“The VA’s telescreening mammography program is a proven lifesaver that advances health equity for our veterans. DAV supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which ensures that every state and Puerto Rico offers telescreening, full-service, or mobile mammography,” said Naomi Mathis, Deputy National Legislative Director at DAV. “By removing barriers to timely preventive care for women veterans and those with disabilities, this legislation can save more lives. We applaud Reps. Thompson, Larsen, Kiggins, and Dexter for their bipartisan leadership in expanding this critical program.”

“The VFW supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act, which marks an important step to ensure that women veterans receive timely, preventative health care. Expanding mammography access supports early detection, improves outcomes, and addresses care gaps. Accessible, equitable, and responsive preventative care is what veterans deserve,” said Meggan Coleman, VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director. “This legislation is necessary, and it is vital to honor their service. The VFW appreciates Representatives Thompson, Larsen, Kiggins, and Dexter introducing this companion bill and looks forward to its passage into law.”

“The Department of Veterans Affairs’ Tele-Screening Mammography pilot program demonstrated improvements in both access to mammography screening services and communication times for women veterans awaiting results,” said Jose Ramos, WWP Vice President of Government and Community Relations. “WWP supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act to expand breast cancer screening and treatment for women veterans, particularly those in rural areas. We thank Representatives Thompson, Larsen, Dexter, and Kiggans for their bipartisan leadership on this critical issue.”

“IAVA is thrilled to see such strong bipartisan, bicameral support for the Mammography Access for Veterans Act,” said Dr. Kyleanne Hunter, CEO of IAVA. “Most importantly, this bill will ensure timely and accessible breast cancer screenings nationwide, regardless of where someone lives. As a cancer survivor, I know how important early detection is, and this bill represents a clear show of solidarity and support for our women veterans – showing them that their service is honored through a tangible, actionable commitment to their health, both in and out of uniform.”

“MOAA strongly supports the Mammography Access for Veterans Act because no veteran should face barriers to essential preventative care. This legislation guarantees that every veteran – regardless of location – can access timely, high-quality breast cancer screenings through telescreening, mobile, or in-house programs. Building on the success of the MOAA-backed MAMMO Act enacted in 2022, this bill offers a commonsense solution that saves lives and reinforces VA’s commitment to veterans’ health,” said Lt. Gen. Brian Kelly, President and CEO of MOAA.

In his time in Congress, Rep. Larsen has hosted more than 70 forums to hear directly from Northwest Washington state veterans about their needs, including five roundtables in September 2025. Following those conversations, he published ‘Listening to Veterans in Northwest Washington,’ a report capturing local veterans’ most pressing challenges and outlining policy recommendations for Congress and VA to address these concerns. Rep. Larsen submitted this report to the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs (HVAC) to ensure Northwest Washington veterans’ voices impact the policy-making process.

After hearing from local veterans about the lack of transportation options to VA health facilities, Rep. Larsen introduced the Veterans Access to Transit Act (VA Transit Act) to establish a Department of Transportation (DOT) pilot program to provide veterans with public transportation to VA facilities and veterans organizations.

You can access the full text of the Mammography Access for Veterans Act HERE.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

FRESNO, Calif. – Today, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) announced the passage of Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development (THUD) funding legislation, which includes nine Community Project Funding awards totaling more than $11.2 million, and passage of the Interior and Environment (I&E) funding legislation which includes two Community Project Funding awards totaling over $2 million for water projects for the San Joaquin Valley. These awards follow four previously approved projects totaling $6.5 million, bringing the total FY2026 project funding for California’s 21st District to $19.8 million.The funding will support critical investments in transportation infrastructure, housing, food security, workforce development, clean energy, water infrastructure, and economic growth across the region.”For too long, families in the San Joaquin Valley have faced aging infrastructure, food insecurity, and limited access to housing and reliable transportation,” said Rep. Costa. “This funding directly responds to those challenges by investing in safer roads, cleaner air, expanded food access, workforce training, affordable housing, and critical water infrastructure. Together, these projects will create jobs, strengthen our local economy, and ensure our communities have the resources they need not just to get by, but to move forward.” 
COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING AWARDS — FY 2026 
TRANSPORTATION, HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

$3.15 Million – Fresno Airport Improvement ActFederal funding would enable the City of Fresno to plan and design for the major expansion of Fresno Yosemite International Airport. As the region experiences increased demand for air travel, this project focuses on upgrading terminal infrastructure, improving passenger experience, and increasing operational capacity. 
$1 Million – Central California Food Bank Volunteer Center ExpansionIn partnership with the County of Fresno, the Central California Food Bank is constructing a 23,000-square-foot Volunteer Center to expand its hunger relief efforts across the Central Valley. Funding for this project would enhance volunteer capacity, provide job training for individuals facing barriers to employment, and increase access to healthy food through a new USDA Protein Repack Room. 
$2 Million – San Joaquin River Parkway Project Federal funds would enable the City of Fresno to extend the Lewis S. Eaton Trail by approximately 2.4 miles, expanding public access to 500 acres of open space along the San Joaquin River. This project would support multiple ADA-accessible entry points and recreational activities such as school tours, nature walks, and paddle trips, while preserving the future of the San Joaquin River parkway. 
$2 Million – Reedley College Ag Innovation CenterFederal funding would support the construction of the AgTEC Innovation Center at Reedley College, a hub for advancing agricultural technology. The center would provide space for ag-tech startups, offer certifications and hands-on training for farmworkers, while promoting innovation to help build a more sustainable food system in the Central Valley.  
$1.2 Million – Salt and Light Neighborhood Village Phase IIThe County of Tulare, in partnership with Salt+Light Works is building a Social Enterprise Hub at the Neighborhood Village, a 53-unit permanent supportive housing community in Goshen, California. Funding for this project would support expanding the Hub to include a grocery store, workforce development, and employment programs that empower residents in surrounding communities. 
$850,000 – Clean Air Mobility Network Fresno Metro Black Chamber/City of FresnoFederal funding would support a partnership between the City of Fresno and the Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce to expand clean transportation access in various parts of the community. The project includes building EV charging infrastructure, launching a fleet of affordable electric bikes and scooters, and offering community-based education on clean mobility. 
$500,000 – Exeter Street ImprovementFunding for this project would revitalize Firebaugh Avenue from West Belmont Avenue to East State Route 65 in the City of Exeter. Revitalizing this one-mile section of arterial street would connect three major north-south corridors and improve the traffic flow of agricultural goods, while reducing congestion and emissions. This project also allows for rehabilitation and ensures ADA compliance for enhanced accessibility and safety. 
$250,000 – Fresno Area Business Development Incubator Project  This funding would enable the City of Fresno, in partnership with the Fresno Area Hispanic Foundation, to establish a full-service business development incubator in a formerly vacant facility in Downtown Fresno. This project would provide local entrepreneurs and small business owners with critical resources, including technical assistance, financial literacy training, and access to capital to help grow their businesses. 
$250,000 – Visalia Riggin Ave WideningAs a major route serving the City of Visalia’s Industrial Park, this federal funding would improve traffic flow, enhance safety, and benefit thousands of workers who rely on Riggin Avenue for their daily commute. Specifically, it would expand the roadway from an undivided two-lane road to a four-lane divided corridor with a median, sidewalks, curbs, gutters, street lighting, and new traffic signals.

INTERIOR AND ENVIRONMENT

$1,092,000 – Woodlake Storm Drain Enhancement ProjectFederal funding would enable the City of Woodlake to install approximately 1,350 feet of 48-inch stormwater pipeline, connecting to the existing system to help prevent future flooding. The project is critical for protecting the community’s northwest quadrant, which was heavily impacted by flooding during the 2023 Atmospheric River storms.
$1,092,000 – Dinuba Water Tower Replacement ProjectThe City of Dinuba is replacing its outdated 70-year-old water tower with a new 500,000-gallon steel ground-mounted water tank. Funding for this project would improve water pressure, enhance fire protection, and ensure reliable water service for decades to come.

To learn about additional federal funding Rep. Costa secured for FY2026, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Lauren Underwood released the following statement on the Department of Education’s proposed rule to limit federal student loan eligibility for advanced nursing programs by reclassifying them as graduate, rather than professional, degrees. The move will make schooling for nursing professionals more expensive and harder to access, raising health care costs system-wide. 

“Every day, nurses in communities around our country are doing critically important work to support the health and well-being of our families. We’re providing excellent clinical care, conducting important research, and carrying out critical public health initiatives. We are dedicated professionals, and this uninformed, shortsighted proposal is a slap in the face,” said Rep. Underwood. “This rule will make it more difficult and vastly more expensive for nurses to become advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs) and nurse educators. It will put an even greater strain on our already overloaded health care system, raise costs for everyone, and put public health at risk. 

As the largest and most trusted health care profession, nurses are formidable advocates.  This regulation is not yet final, and thankfully, there is still time to urge the Trump Administration to reverse course. The public comment period is open and now is the time for action. America needs more nurses, not fewer. It is critically important that every nurse in our country participates and makes our voices heard to reverse this disastrous policy.”

Members of the public are urged to submit comments on the proposed rule here until March 2, 2025.

The proposed rule comes as the United States faces a historic health care crisis caused by Republican’s Big Ugly Bill, the largest cut to health care in our nation’s history. In addition to these cuts, the Big Ugly Bill places new caps on federal student loan borrowers who are pursuing graduate degrees that prevent borrowers from covering the full cost of their education. Nursing professionals will be directly harmed if this proposed rule is implemented and advanced nursing programs are reclassified.

Rep. Lauren Underwood is a registered nurse with a BSN in Nursing and a Masters of Nursing and Public Health.  She is one of three registered nurses serving in the 119^th Congress.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Reps. Carter, Peters, Langworthy, Levin, Carey reintroduce bill encouraging drug development to combat antimicrobial resistance

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), Scott Peters (D-CA), Nick Langworthy (R-NY), Mike Levin (D-CA), and Mike Carey (R-OH) introduced the bipartisan Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions to End Upsurging Resistance (PASTEUR) Act to encourage innovative drug development targeting the most threatening infections, improve the appropriate use of antibiotics and antifungals, and ensure domestic availability of critical antimicrobials when needed.

“The United States leads the world in medical innovation, and we must ensure our policies reflect that. As a pharmacist, I’ve seen nothing short of miracles due to drug development in my lifetime, but we must continue to evolve to combat antimicrobial resistance,” said Rep. Carter. “The PASTEUR Act fosters collaboration between the public and private sectors to tackle market challenges in drug development, strengthen public health preparedness, and incentivize the development of new life-saving antibiotics.”  

“Antimicrobial resistance poses a growing and significant threat to Americans’ health. Almost 3 million Americans get sick with antibiotic resistant infections and nearly 35,000 die every year,” said Rep. Peters. “The PASTEUR Act will help us develop better antibiotics to counter resistant infections and help doctors ensure these drugs are used responsibly to stop the emergence of new superbugs. Congress must pass the PASTEUR Act and do everything in its power to prevent the next public health crisis.”

“The PASTEUR Act is a monumental investment in bridging the gap between groundbreaking research and patient care, ensuring that cutting-edge science drives new antibiotic development while expanding affordable access for the public. By changing how critical antibiotics are paid for, the legislation ensures doctors and patients have reliable tools to fight dangerous infections and achieve better outcomes,” said Rep. Langworthy. “Affordable healthcare is a top priority, and legislation like the PASTEUR Act helps build long-term, sustainable solutions that strengthen our healthcare system, encourage responsible innovation, and protect patients now and in the future.”

“Antibiotic-resistant infections pose a serious and growing threat to millions of Americans, yet we continue to face critical gaps in our ability to bring new antimicrobials to market,” said Rep. Levin. “Right now, the incentives are backwards, making it harder to get new treatments into the hands of those who need them. The PASTEUR Act changes that equation with a smarter approach that pays for access rather than volume, while also supporting stewardship programs from hospitals to outpatient clinics. The pandemic showed us what happens when we’re unprepared for health emergencies, and this legislation helps ensure we’re ready for the next one. I thank Rep. Carter and Rep. Peters for leading this bipartisan legislation and I look forward to working together to get it done.”

“According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Americans suffer nearly 3 million antimicrobial-resistant infections annually, resulting in more than 35,000 deaths each year,” Rep. Carey said. “I’m proud to support the PASTEUR Act to help spur the development of innovative new treatments that will equip doctors with more tools to respond to, limit the spread of, and ultimately curb preventable deaths caused by breakthrough cases of infectious diseases.”

Antimicrobials – including antibiotics and antifungals – are medicines used to treat and prevent infections in humans, animals, and plants. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) occurs when bacteria and fungi mutate and no longer respond to these medicines. As a result, treating infections becomes much harder, increasing the risk of disease spread, severe illness, and death. In the United States, more than 2.8 million antibiotic-resistant infections occur each year, resulting in over 35,000 deaths. A 2022 CDC special report found that the United States reversed its progress on AMR during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and antimicrobial-resistant infections and deaths increased in hospitals by at least 15 percent. The estimated national cost to treat infections caused by the most common multidrug-resistant germs in health care is more than $4.6 billion annually, and recent analyses estimate that the broader impact of superbugs on the U.S. economy could reach tens of billions of dollars each year.

The AMR crisis has been further exacerbated by a lack of new drug development due to reduced economic incentives and challenging regulatory requirements, creating a severe market failure. In recent years, many of the innovative antibiotic companies working to develop new antimicrobials have filed for bankruptcy and stopped producing these innovative antibiotics completely.

The PASTEUR Act seeks to address this market failure and increase public health preparedness by keeping novel antimicrobials on the market and improving appropriate use across the health care system. While current contracts between the government and drug makers base payment on volume, the PASTEUR Act would establish a subscription-style model which would offer antibiotic developers predictable payments in exchange for access to their antibiotics, encouraging innovation and ensuring our health care system is prepared to treat resistant infections.

“bioMérieux enthusiastically supports the introduction of the PASTEUR Act and its recognition of the important role that diagnostics and antibiotic stewardship play in addressing antimicrobial resistance, along with the goal to develop new, novel antibiotics,” said Randy Pritchard, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Clinical Operations for bioMérieux North America. “Antimicrobial resistance is a growing problem in the U.S., leaving some infections difficult to treat or untreatable. This is why innovative, rapid, and accurate diagnostics are crucial in identifying infections and promoting better stewardship practices. The need for new therapies and proper utilization of fast, near-patient diagnostics for optimal actionability guiding treatment options will provide immediate benefit to patients today and in the future.”

“Infectious diseases physicians are on the front lines of the fight against antimicrobial resistance, and we urgently need the novel antibiotics and antifungals that the PASTEUR Act will deliver to save lives and to protect our ability to provide modern medical care like cancer chemotherapy, organ transplants, cesarean sections and hip and knee replacements. PASTEUR also makes crucial investments in antimicrobial stewardship to help ensure that antimicrobials are used wisely so patients can get the best possible outcomes. For the benefit of our patients, we call on Congress to advance this bipartisan bill swiftly,” said Ronald G. Nahass, MD, MHCM, FIDSA, President, Infectious Diseases Society of America.

“Legislative solutions to address threats posed by antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are imperative to our health and national security. We applaud the sponsors of the PASTEUR Act for their leadership. This bill will make much-needed, novel antibiotics a reality and fortify the health of Americans for future generations. The fight against AMR is not a partisan issue. We encourage broad support of the PASTEUR Act,” said Candace DeMatteis, Vice President of Policy, Partnership to Fight Infectious Disease.

“As patients and caregivers, we see firsthand how antimicrobial resistance affects real lives, not just statistics. I’m encouraged that the PASTEUR Act recognizes patient outcomes and stewardship as essential measures of value. When treatments improve survival, reduce toxicity and side effects, and are easier to take, patients can actually complete therapy and recover. Embedding stewardship and appropriate use helps ensure these lifesaving medicines remain effective and accessible for the communities and patients who need them most,” said Rob Purdie, MyCARE Foundation.

“For people with cystic fibrosis, effective antibiotics are an essential lifeline. While antimicrobial resistance continues to pose an increasing and significant threat, the market is failing to develop new treatments patients need to survive,” said Mary Dwight, chief policy and advocacy officer at the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. “The PASTEUR Act offers a smart, sustainable solution that rewards innovation while promoting responsible stewardship. For rare disease patients who are frequently exposed to resistant bacteria, PASTEUR helps ensure that a treatable infection does not become a terminal diagnosis.”

“The introduction of the PASTEUR Act of 2026 is a vital step forward in confronting one of the most urgent public health threats of our time. Antimicrobial resistance continues to claim millions of lives each year, and patients facing drug-resistant infections are left with fewer and fewer effective treatments,” said John F. Crowley, President and CEO of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). “This updated PASTEUR legislation would help to repair the broken marketplace for antimicrobials by enabling a business model centered around the appropriate use of new and novel treatments to address the most threatening infections. We commend these bipartisan leaders in Congress for introducing this critical legislation for innovation and for working to ensure patients will have access to life-saving antimicrobials when they need them most.”

Specifically, the PASTEUR Act would:

• Establish a Federal Subscription Model that provides annual payments to developers of eligible antibiotics and antifungals. Contract values range from $75 million to $300 million per year, with terms up to 10 years or until a generic or biosimilar enters the market. The annual predictable, set level of payment for a given product would be reduced by net revenues the manufacturer makes from its product each year, ensuring no more federal support is provided than necessary to provide a predictable return on investment.

• Use a Transparent Scoring System to determine eligibility and contract value, rewarding products that address urgent threats and unmet medical needs and that demonstrate major clinical and public health benefits.

• Establish a Critical Need Antimicrobial Advisory Group, consisting of infectious disease physicians, antimicrobial resistance and R&D experts, and patient advocates to guide the design of the program.

• Set Terms & Conditions of the subscription contracts that would require developers to ensure commercial availability, reliable supply, public reporting of resistance data, implementation of stewardship and education plans, adherence to manufacturing and environmental best practices, and completion of post-market studies. 

• Support Antimicrobial Stewardship and Surveillance by funding pilot programs for expanding stewardship efforts, including in outpatient settings (e.g. urgent care, retail clinics) and build on existing frameworks to enhance data collection on antibiotic use, resistance, and diagnostics through the CDC’s National Healthcare Safety Network and other surveillance systems.

Read the full bill text here.

A summary is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-09) applauded the President’s signature of the bipartisan Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act (H.R. 842), landmark legislation that expands Medicare access to innovative cancer screening technology designed to detect multiple cancers earlier and save lives.

The law, led by Hudson, alongside Representatives Jodey Arrington and Terri Sewell, establishes a clear pathway for Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection (MCED) screening tests once approved by the Food and Drug Administration, ensuring seniors can benefit from cutting-edge American medical innovation.

“Too often, families in North Carolina and across the country are devastated by a cancer diagnosis,” said Representative Hudson. “By increasing access to multi-cancer early detection screening tests, we can catch cancers sooner and save lives.”

Currently, medical professionals can only screen for a limited number of cancers, and only a fraction are detected through existing screening methods. MCED technology has the potential to dramatically improve early detection, particularly for seniors, who account for more than 70 percent of cancer diagnoses nationwide.

Hudson worked alongside colleagues from both parties to advance the legislation through

Congress, where it earned broad bipartisan support before being signed into law through the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2026.

Read the full bill text HERE.

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

Washington D.C. – In an exclusive interview with Marie Claire, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi reflected on her historic career as the first woman to serve as Speaker of the House, the women reshaping power in Congress today and the personal convictions that continue to guide her as she prepares to leave elected office. Pelosi speaks openly about leadership, authenticity and what it means to wield influence in a political moment she describes as a “freak show.”

In the wide-ranging conversation, Pelosi discusses the barriers women still face in politics, her faith in the goodness of the American people and her continued commitment to winning the House for Democrats—underscoring that while she may be stepping away from Congress, she is not stepping away from the fight.

Read the full story below:

Marie Claire: Nancy Pelosi’s Parting Message to Women in This Political “Freak Show”

[By Noor Ibrahim, 2/5/26]

Here, we speak with Nancy Pelosi, who is walking away from Congress after building one of the most formidable careers in U.S. politics. The 85-year-old California Democrat made history as the first woman to wield the Speaker’s gavel and led her party in the House for two decades. Last November, she announced she won’t run for reelection when her current term ends in January 2027. We sat down with Pelosi in her D.C. office this January to talk about the new generation of women claiming power, what keeps her up at night about this moment in Washington, and whether someone like her can ever truly leave politics behind.

What do you see when you look at the women in Congress today?
This is one of my favorite subjects, because when I came to Congress, there were only 23 women. I—having been chair of the California Democratic Party—knew how to elect people. And I said: “We’re going to make a change here.” So part of the mission was to make sure that women had the opportunity, the confidence, the support that they needed to come here. If there had not been many women members, there would never have been a woman Speaker. This was not a place that was looking to advance others. You just had to go take the power. People say to me: “Well, you have five children, and you went to Congress and you became a Speaker.” But I did it sequentially. Mine were almost [all] in college. These women are raising their children while they’re doing this. And that’s quite remarkable.

What did it mean to be the first woman Speaker?
When I had my first meeting as Speaker, that’s a big deal. I mean, it was a very big deal. And people said to me after: “Do you realize how different that meeting would’ve been if a man had run it?” I mean, how many times have women said, “I was at the table and I made a suggestion and everybody was quiet, then a man made the same suggestion and they said, oh, that’s a great idea.” That has happened to women over and over. But I have concluded that the reason that happens is because they don’t listen to the women. Now we got the gavel. It’s a whole different deal. They listen.

Were there parts of yourself you had to change to lead in the way you have?
It’s important to know I never intended to run for office. People came to me and asked me to run, and I was like: “I have no ambition to run. I’m the chair of the party. That’s important to me because I like to promote other people, but I’m not one to be in the arena.” You know what changed? We lost in ’94, ’96, ’98. And it was like: “Wait a minute. We’re losing. We’re just losing!” I know how to win elections, so people said to me, “Now you have to take responsibility.” And then I did—because quite frankly, I was tired of losing. I never thought of any change in me about it, except that I wanted to win. I went to my daughter who was going to be a senior in high school and said, “Mommy has been asked to run for Congress. I had never had that ambition, but people are insisting that I run. I want to leave it up to you because you have one more year at home, Alexandra. If I win, I’d be gone like three nights a week when Congress is in session, and often for Christmas and all those holidays.” To which she said, “Mother, mother, get a life. What teenage girl doesn’t want her mother out of the house three nights a week?” So she and my husband get along just fine.

What do women in politics need to hear right now?
It’s the authenticity. I say this to women all the time: whatever it is—in terms of your upbringing, the environment in which you were raised, the education you have, the set of values that you bring to it—there’s nobody like you. So when you come here, your authenticity is what is important. Be you, be ready for what comes along. Have your vision, know what you’re talking about so you command respect, and have a strategy that attracts other people, and also shows them what is in your heart. The sincerity, the authenticity, the concern you have about other people. [If] you’ve listened to them, you’ve incorporated their concerns and aspirations into the solutions, you’ll succeed.

There’s a lot of anxiety around women’s rights right now. What do you think people aren’t fully grasping?
I think that a lot of people do not fully understand how it was before Roe v. Wade, and most of us didn’t, but we knew that it was necessary in the history of America. As a Catholic—[who had] five children in six years and seven days—my husband and I are thrilled with our family, but that’s our decision. I’m excommunicated from the church as a Catholic because I support a woman’s right to choose. And it is just amazing to me that so many people in the Congress don’t. And so many women in the Congress don’t support women’s right to choose. And when you eliminate something like that, it’s not just about terminating a pregnancy. It’s about what healthcare providers can provide for somebody who’s in a dangerous situation. This is what I will fight for, because it makes me almost cry to think what women have to undergo—because some guys decided that a woman shouldn’t have a right to choose.

Considering where we are politically right now, how do you feel about stepping away?
When I first came, [to Congress] I mean, we disagreed on issues, but that was the dynamic—to have the debate. That’s not the way it is now. But I do believe that when our founders founded this country, and even some of the early presidents, talked about the goodness of the American people. We have to believe in their goodness. So I have these bracelets that say faith, hope, and charity. When they ask me “Where is hope?,” I say hope is where it always has been—between faith and charity. And if you believe in the goodness of the American people, that gives people hope. And so what we have to do in politics is think more in terms of the goodness of the American people—and not this freak show that we’re in right now.

Are you really done with politics, or just done with Congress?
Right now, I’m still in Congress for one reason: to win the house for the Democrats. That’s it. And my position enables me to do it in a stronger way than if I had retired by now. So that’s what I’m here for. I’ll always kind of be making judgments about races, as to whether they’re owning the ground, disciplining them, disciplining the message. And that’s the word that they’ll probably use for me—I am a disciplined person on that. When you make a decision to be in this, you make a decision to win. At the end of the day, I have three “nos”: no wasted time, no underutilized resources, and no regrets the day after the election that you could have done more.

Have you thought about what you’ll miss?
The first time I saw the Capitol, I was only about five years old, and it left a lasting impression on me. And I love looking at it every day. And to see what happens under the Capitol is very important. So I guess I would say what I would miss… I hadn’t thought about missing anything, quite frankly. But I know that I will miss the people, that’s for sure. But I can see them. It’s not as if they’re going away too. Maybe this will be some clarity for you: People in California do not get Potomac Fever [D.C. slang for politicians’ obsession with staying in power]. We live in heaven on earth, so there’s no regrets about going home to California. And every week when I would get off that plane and they’d say we’re landing in San Francisco, I’d be like: “oh my God, how wonderful.” And so the timing is right.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Judy Chu (CA-28), Don Beyer (VA-08), and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) led 58 of their House Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Attorney General Pam Bondi condemning their reckless decision to more than double the scope of the administration’s already-sweeping travel ban, and demanding that the policy be immediately reversed.

In the letter, the Members warn that the expanded travel ban is discriminatory, undermines America’s values, and will cause serious harm to families, businesses, universities, and communities across the country and the world. They also raise concerns about the lack of transparency and clear justification behind the administration’s decision, and demand transparency into the elimination of exemptions from President Trump’s previous ban, including those for Afghan Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) holders and immediate family members of U.S. citizens from impacted countries. 

“Over 60% of the countries in Africa, and 20% of all countries worldwide, are now banned from the U.S.” the Members wrote. “This expansion further entrenches a cruel and racist policy agenda disguised as national security, with serious, heartbreaking, and dangerous consequences.”

The letter also underscores that the economic impacts of this travel ban will be devastating. As the United States prepares to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the ban will prevent fans from attending matches, deepen labor shortages in critical fields like medicine and agriculture, and further harm a tourism industry already projected to lose $12.5 billion in 2025. 

“President Trump’s actions once again disgrace the founding principles of our nation and enshrine cruelty into our immigration system,” the Members concluded. “We condemn this proclamation and urge President Trump to rescind it immediately.”

Click HERE to read the full letter

This letter was signed by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ‑03), Becca Balint (VT‑AL), Joyce Beatty (OH‑03), Ami Bera (CA‑06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR‑01), Julia Brownley (CA‑26), André Carson (IN‑07), Greg Casar (TX‑35), Judy Chu (CA‑28), Yvette Clarke (NY‑09), Jim Costa (CA‑16), Danny Davis (IL‑07), Madeleine Dean (PA‑04), Diana DeGette (CO‑01), Mark DeSaulnier (CA‑10), Maxine Dexter (OR‑03), Lloyd Doggett (TX‑37), Adriano Espaillat (NY‑13), Dwight Evans (PA‑03), Laura Friedman (CA‑30), John Garamendi (CA‑08), Sylvia Garcia (TX‑29), Daniel Goldman (NY‑10), Jimmy Gomez (CA‑34), Al Green (TX‑09), Jahana Hayes (CT‑05), Jonathan Jackson (IL‑01), Pramila Jayapal (WA‑07), Henry Johnson (GA‑04), Sydney Kamlager‑Dove (CA‑37), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL‑08), Summer Lee (PA‑12), Ted Lieu (CA‑36), Zoe Lofgren (CA‑18), Jennifer McClellan (VA‑04), LaMonica McIver (NJ‑10), Robert Menendez (NJ‑08), Grace Meng (NY‑06), Kweisi Mfume (MD‑07), Jerrold Nadler (NY‑12), Eleanor Norton (DC‑AL), Ilhan Omar (MN‑05), Mark Pocan (WI‑02), Delia Ramirez (IL‑03), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA‑05), Janice Schakowsky (IL‑09), Robert Scott (VA‑03), Lateefah Simon (CA‑12), Adam Smith (WA‑09), Darren Soto (FL‑09), Haley Stevens (MI‑11), Eric Swalwell (CA‑14), Shri Thanedar (MI‑13), Dina Titus (NV‑01), Rashida Tlaib (MI‑12), Paul Tonko (NY‑20), Lori Trahan (MA‑03), Nydia Velázquez (NY‑07), James Walkinshaw (VA‑11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ‑12).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26), Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06), and Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) led 20 of their House colleagues in sending a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem in response to recent reports concerning the treatment of individuals with disabilities who have interacted with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Individuals with disabilities are legally entitled to accommodations that meet their specific needs, including those detained by ICE. Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, ICE is required to provide such accommodations and is prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities in federally funded programs and activities.

“Individuals with disabilities require and are, by law, entitled to accommodations that meet their specific needs. This includes those detained by ICE, given that ICE is bound by statute to comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and are prohibited from discriminating against people with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal funding,” the lawmakers write. “This effectively means that detainees in federal, state, and private detention facilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations to avoid disability discrimination. ICE guidance materials reflect this understanding of the law.1 Further, ICE has a Disability Access Plan developed in August 2020 that should be followed to ensure compliance with this law.2 Moreover, the most up-to-date version of the ICE National Detention Standards, as of 2025, also affirms the rights under the law.”

“Barriers that disabled immigrants face in the immigration system are longstanding and did not appear with the arrival of the Trump Administration. According to both experts and current and former employees at the Department of Homeland Security, the immigration system was already a potentially dangerous place for detainees with disabilities,” the lawmakers continue. “However, as the Administration has aggressively pursued immigration enforcement, they have simultaneously gutted the offices that were in place to safeguard against violations of detainees’ rights, the Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties (CRCL) and the Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman (OIDO). Since January, staffing for CRCL has dropped by 85% and staffing for OID dropped by 91%.”

“These incidents are deeply troubling and speak to the need for an increased understanding of the unique needs of individuals with disabilities, as well as enforcement of the standards that immigration officials are required to follow by law,” the lawmakers conclude. “It is not only possible but is essential that all law enforcement actions are taken within the bounds of what is allowed by federal law.”

Read the full text of the letter here.

The letter is signed by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, Mark Pocan, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Eleanor Holmes Norton, Madeleine Dean, Dina Titus, Frederica S. Wilson, Lateefah Simon, Pramila Jayapal, Darren Soto, Seth Moulton, Jasmine Crockett, Mark DeSaulnier, Rashida Tlaib, April McClain Delaney, Andrea Salinas, Summer L. Lee, Emanuel Cleaver, II, Jan Schakowsky, and Gilbert Ray Cisneros, Jr.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) announced today that she secured more than $11.7 million in federal funding for fiscal year 2026 through the government funding packages finalized by Congress this week and signed into law last night.

The congresswoman secured funding for all 15 community projects that she requested to directly benefit her constituents and enhance the overall quality of life in her district.

“I fought hard to secure funding for all 15 of my requested community projects because our communities deserve real results,” said Congresswoman Sánchez. “This funding will bring safer drinking water, better transportation and infrastructure, stronger public safety, and meaningful improvements to the everyday lives of working families across our district.”

Congresswoman Sánchez secured:

• $850,000 for Foothill Transit’s Zero Emissions Bus Program. The funding will be used to help replace retirement-eligible compressed natural gas buses with zero-emission buses.
   
• $250,000 for Water Treatment Plant-North in Downey. The funding will be used to address PFAS contamination concerns by constructing a new water treatment plant in North Downey. 
   
• $1.09 million for the Foothill Zone Consolidation Water Project in La Habra. The funding will be used to enhance the reliability and sustainability of water supply by consolidating and upgrading aging water systems in the Foothill Zone, which serves a significant portion of La Habra.
   
• $250,000 for The Park and Gymnasium improvements in La Habra Heights. The Park and Gymnasium improvement project includes nine specific areas of improvement strategically selected to extend the useful life of La Habra’s primary public recreation facility. 
   
• $1.5 million for Neff Park in La Mirada. The funding will be used for grading, placement of a natural drainage swale and landscaping improvements to address surface flooding that has occurred following even moderate rainstorms.
   
• $1 million for the Montebello Fire Department’s Brush Fire Station. The proposed station will improve emergency response times, provide targeted protection to neighborhoods at high risk for wildfires, and increase the City’s overall capacity to respond to natural disasters and emergencies.
   
• $1.4 million for the Montebello Police Department to upgrade its radio communications. This funding will help modernize and enhance the department’s public safety radio communications, ensuring that the department remains equipped with the latest technology to meet the growing demands of law enforcement operations.
   
• $500,000 for the Holifield Park Parking Lot in Norwalk. The funding will be used to construct a new parking lot with 74 parking stalls south of Holifield Park, including fencing, concrete walkway, landscape and driveway approach improvements.
   
• $850,000 for the Durfee Avenue Community Center in Pico Rivera. The funding will support the design and construction of the Durfee Avenue Community Center, which will rehabilitate a vacant and blighted former Veterans of Foreign Wars building into a vibrant community center.
   
• $1.2 million for Suzanne Park in Walnut. The funding will be used to update Suzanne Park. The project will focus on four main areas of improvement, including accessibility, horse arena renovation, parking lot expansion, and softball field updates. 
   
• $250,000 for Whittier Broadband Connectivity Project. The funding will be used to lay down 3,881 linear feet of robust fiber optic network from Whittier City Hall to Uptown Whittier to address current deficiencies in broadband accessibility, reliability, and speed.
   
• $850,000 for River Parcel Passive Park in Santa Fe Springs. The funding will be used to transform 2.75 acres of vacant, city-owned land into a vibrant, multi-use recreational hub that meets the growing need for green space in Southeast Los Angeles County.
   
• $250,000 for Los Angeles County’s Department of Public Works for Advanced Traffic Controllers for Multimodal Experience at the Future L Line Norwalk and Lambert Stations Areas. The project will replace outdated traffic signals on major corridors and optimize the use of smart traffic signals to improve traffic signal communications to the county’s Traffic Management Center.
   
• $1.03 million for Rio Hondo Community College’s Public Safety Scenario Training Unit. The funding will support a Public Safety Scenario Training Unit at Rio Hondo Community College. The equipment funded by this project would ensure that law enforcement officers are well-prepared to handle complex and high-pressure situations with essential skills in de-escalation, tactical response and decision making.
   
• $850,000 for the Walnut Valley Water District‘s Emergency Operations Center and Cybersecurity Resilience Project. The funding will be used for equipment for the water district’s new Emergency Operations Center, which provides water service to nearly 100,000 residents and businesses.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today that more than $11 million in Community Project Funding he secured for Georgia’s 4th District is in the final FY2026 spending bills approved by Congress and signed into law by the president this week. The funding will directly address some of the most pressing needs across the district, which encompasses most of DeKalb County and parts of Gwinnett County. Cities within the Fourth District include Stonecrest, Lithonia, Stone Mountain, Clarkston, Tucker, Doraville, Chamblee and Dunwoody in DeKalb County and Peachtree Corners, Norcross, and Duluth in Gwinnett County. 

“Taking care of home first has always been my mantra while serving the people of Georgia’s Fourth District,” Rep. Johnson said. “The more than $11 million in Community Project Funding will provide a much-needed boost to Georgia’s 4th District. These investments improve our infrastructure, grow our economy, and improve our greenspace, which makes a real difference in the lives of so many in our community. I am proud to have fought for funding that will make our community healthier, safer, and stronger.”

Rep. Johnson championed funding for 15 projects that will directly benefit Georgia’s 4th District residents. These include:

• $560,000 to DeKalb County for water storage tank fill valve replacements.
• $1,000,000 to the City of Doraville to make realignment improvements to Chestnut Drive.
• $850,000 to DeKalb County Parks and Recreation improvements to Wade Walker Park.
• $1,985,160 to DeKalb County Parks and Recreation for the construction of soccer fields at Avondale Dunaire Park for future tournaments.
• $1,200,000 to DeKalb County Parks and Recreation for the construction of a new park – Rowland Park – in unincorporated DeKalb with gardens, walking trails and fitness stations.
• $350,000 to DeKalb County Parks and Recreation for Arabia Mountain bridge improvements.
• $250,000 to DeKalb County Parks and Recreation for County Line Park Improvements Phase II.
• $726,625 for DeKalb County government’s Lithonia Booster Pump Station backup power supply to ensure reliable water service during grid disruptions.
• $850,000 to the City of Tucker for the creation of a multi-use path linking existing trails along Hugh Howell Road with the future South Fork Peachtree Creek Greenway Trail.
• $250,000 to DeKalb County government for a center for children impacted by domestic violence.
• $400,000 for MARTA to enhance the safety and security of rail and bus facilities.
• $1,000,000 for the City of Stone Mountain for improvements to Medlock Park.
• $560,000 to the City of Brookhaven for Phase II of the Ashford Forest Preserve project.
• $300,000 to Wellroot Family Services for Reaching Teens Georgia to train local law enforcement, first responders, judges, courts, probation officers, and public defenders in identifying and responding to teens experiencing trauma.
• $850,000 to Gwinnett County government for the Loop Trail project to improve connectivity between key community destinations, including residential, commercial, recreational, and transit areas.

A full summary of the projects can be found on Congressman Johnson’s website here. 

HERE’S WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

“These federal investments will have a meaningful and lasting impact on DeKalb County,” said DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. “From critical water infrastructure and public safety improvements to expanded parks and recreational spaces, this funding supports quality of life, economic vitality, and community well-being. We are grateful to Congressman Johnson for his continued advocacy and partnership on behalf of DeKalb residents.”

“These investments reflect what’s possible when local priorities and federal partnership align,” said Gwinnett County Chairwoman Nicole Love Hendrickson. “The Loop Trail project will strengthen connectivity across our communities, making it easier for residents to move between where they live, work, and gather. I’m grateful to Congressman Johnson for advocating for funding that delivers real, on-the-ground benefits for Gwinnett families.”

“MARTA appreciates the continued support and efforts of Congressman Johnson to improve transit infrastructure and enhance safety of the system,” said MARTA Interim General Manager and CEO Jonathan Hunt. “This funding allows MARTA to implement vital security measures to prevent theft, vandalism, and unauthorized access at our bus and rail facilities, safeguarding customers and employees, and contributing to the long term sustainability of our operations.”

“This funding reflects the power of strong partnerships and shared priorities,” said Tucker Mayor Anne Lerner. “We’re grateful to Mayor Pro Tem Virginia Rece for championing this effort and for Representative Johnson for securing federal support that helps Tucker advance our trail system and strengthens regional connectivity. Working together across all levels of government allows us to deliver real, lasting improvements for our residents.”

“This funding brings to life our vision for Ashford Forest Preserve, which is to ensure this protected Old Growth Forest remains accessible and welcoming to everyone,” Brookhaven Mayor John Park said. “From ADA parking to accessible restrooms and trails, Phase II represents an important step in opening this preserve to all. The City of Brookhaven is deeply grateful to Congressman Johnson for securing these funds and his continued partnership and leadership in investing in inclusive, community-centered greenspace.” 

“The realignment of Chestnut Drive is a transformative safety priority that will finally bridge the gap between our historic neighborhoods and Doraville’s emerging downtown,” said Doraville Mayor Joseph Geierman. “I am grateful to Congressman Johnson for securing this $1 million investment, which will replace a dangerous crossing with a safe, signalized gateway to the MARTA station and the entire region.”
 
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