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Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Demands Full Accounting of DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s Taxpayer-Funded Travel to Illinois

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

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, Ranking Member Lauren Underwood wrote to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to formally request more information and a full accounting of Noem’s taxpayer funded travel for a 26-minute press conference she held today in Springfield, Illinois.

Underwood’s letter follows Noem’s first appearance before the Committee on Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee yesterday, where Noem repeatedly failed to provide answers on the Trump Administration’s use of taxpayer funds for what appear to be political advertisements. 

In the letter, Underwood writes that the press conference raises serious concerns about the use of federal assets for political purposes. Americans deserve a clear explanation of the purpose, logistics, and cost of this event and how it aligns with the Department’s mission and legal obligations. 

Full text of the letter can be found here and below.

 

May 7, 2025

 

The Honorable Kristi Noem

Secretary

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528     

                                              

Dear Secretary Noem,

As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security, I write to request additional information regarding your visit today to Springfield, Illinois, where you held an official Department of Homeland Security (DHS) press conference. The event’s messaging, official branding, and staff involvement suggest the use of DHS resources for what appears to be a politically-driven event.

The event, described in Department of Homeland Security materials as taking place in “Governor J.B. Pritzker’s backyard,” was promoted with departmental resources and supported by Department personnel, raising serious concerns about the use of federal assets for political purposes. Furthermore, the only stated objective for this event in the DHS resources promoting it was to “call out” a political figure who has criticized you and President Trump. Americans deserve a clear explanation of the purpose, logistics, and cost of this event and how it aligns with the Department’s mission and legal obligations.

The Committee has a responsibility to ensure that taxpayer dollars are used appropriately and in full compliance with federal law. Therefore, please provide answers to the following questions in writing no later than May 21, 2025.

  1. What was the total overall cost of this event, including transportation, security, and any expenses incurred by state and local governments to support your travel?
  2. Please provide a detailed breakdown of all DHS personnel who supported or traveled for this event, including their titles, office components, and assigned roles.
  3. What mode of transportation was used for you and your staff to travel to Illinois—commercial or government—and what was the total cost to taxpayers for transportation?
  4. Were any DHS funds used for media consultants, event production services, or personal image preparation for yourself or any other participants? If so, please provide an itemized breakdown of those expenditures and the justification for them.
  5. The video DHS posted of the full press conference is 26 minutes long. Did you conduct any other official engagements on this trip, or did you and your team fly to Illinois solely for this press conference?
  6. As discussed above, the only objective identified in DHS materials promoting this event was to “call out” the Governor of Illinois. Did this trip have any official or policy objectives? If so, what were they?
  7. What specific policy objectives were achieved by this trip that could not have been communicated through standard departmental channels, such as a written release or virtual press conference?
  8. Was any outreach conducted to Illinois state or local officials prior to the press event, or were standard intergovernmental protocols bypassed?
  9. Was the event reviewed and approved by the DHS Office of General Counsel or the U.S. Office of Special Counsel to ensure compliance with the Hatch Act and departmental ethics policies? 

As Secretary, your responsibility is to uphold the law, not to use federal resources to stage partisan attacks. The American people deserve responsible leadership, proper stewardship of public funds, and strict adherence to legal limits on political activity by federal officials. In light of the Department’s pressing operational challenges, it is critical that all official travel and public events serve legitimate homeland security purposes. I appreciate your prompt attention to this request and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

Lauren Underwood

Ranking Member

House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security

 

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Ranking Member Lauren Underwood Presses DHS Secretary Kristi Noem on Trump Administration’s Failure to Follow the Law

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

WASHINGTON – This afternoon, Representative Lauren Underwood, Ranking Member of the Committee on Appropriations Homeland Security Subcommittee, questioned Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem about the Trump Administration’s failure to follow the law and ensure that the programs and services that protect the American people are fully equipped to achieve their mission. 

Throughout the hearing, Noem repeatedly failed to provide answers on the Administration’s illegal and unconstitutional actions to freeze, terminate, and even claw back federal grants and awards that have already been signed into law. Underwood explained how these actions have undermined the constitution and weakened DHS’s core mission of protecting the homeland and keeping Americans safe. 

“[We are] three months into this Administration, [and] America is more vulnerable than it has ever been. Our homeland is not secure. The Trump Administration’s actions have pushed us to an unprecedented and sobering moment. America is a democracy, not a dictatorship.” said Ranking Member Underwood. “In a democracy, we are organized around the rule of law and those laws are based on a core set of constitutional rights. As we endeavor to secure the homeland, we must continue to protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.”

Live stream coverage of the hearing can be viewed here.

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Joint Statement from New York Reps. Elise Stefanik, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler on SALT Negotiations

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

Joint Statement from New York Reps. Elise Stefanik, Andrew Garbarino, Nick LaLota, and Mike Lawler on SALT Negotiations | Press Releases | Congresswoman Elise Stefanik

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Rep. Mike Levin Reintroduces Bicameral Legislation to Fight Child Hunger

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

May 07, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Mike Levin (CA-49) and Jahana Hayes (CT-05) reintroduced H.R. 3217, the Stop Child Hunger Act, to provide families who have children eligible for free and reduced-price school meals with an electronic benefit transfer (EBT) card to use when school is not in session. The EBT card could be used during summer or winter break, or when schools are operating remotely or are closed for a natural disaster. The bill was reintroduced alongside the Senate companion sponsored by Senator Patty Murray (WA).

Approximately 29.6 million students are eligible to receive free or reduced-price school meals each day during the school year. School nutrition programs provide critical nourishment to students to support healthy living and improve cognitive function throughout the school day. A lapse in these benefits during vacations and school closures can have a drastic impact on low-income families. Rep. Levin led the effort to establish a permanent Summer EBT program that passed in the Fiscal Year 2023 omnibus government funding package in December 2022. This bill would expand on the Summer EBT program to cover all school breaks longer than five days and would increase the benefit amount families receive.

“While Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration gut food assistance programs, I’m doing everything I can to make sure kids are able to get the food they need to thrive,” said Rep. Levin. “This bill strengthens and expands existing nutritional programs to ensure that families and children have food year-round, including during school closures and holidays. As a parent, I know how important it is for kids to have access to nutritious food. We need to do everything we can to fight child hunger. I thank Rep. Hayes and Sen. Murray for their partnership on this bill, and I look forward to pushing it forward through the legislative process.”

“No kid in America should go hungry—it’s really that simple,” said Sen. Murray. “I’ve been fighting for more than a decade to ensure that kids who rely on free and reduced-price meals during the school year don’t lose access to nutritious meals when school is out, and we took a huge step forward when we passed the Summer EBT program into law—which helped feed nearly 600,000 kids in Washington state last summer. Our legislation would build on that progress and make sure that kids whose families are on the tightest budgets still have access to nutritious meals when school is closed for a week or more, including for winter and spring breaks. While the Trump administration and Republicans in Congress are working overtime to rip away nutrition benefits from moms and kids, and cut programs families rely on to meet their basic needs, Democrats are fighting to make sure every child is fed and has the support they need to succeed.”

“For many students, school is the only place they consistently receive a hot meal. While Summer EBT was expanded in 2023, vital programs like SNAP are still under threat of cuts from Republicans in Congress,” said Rep. Hayes. “The Stop Child Hunger Act provides a crucial solution by making Summer EBT permanent and nationwide, giving eligible children year-round access to nutritious food with EBT benefits matching the value of school meals for school closures over five days. This is a vital step towards addressing child hunger and a necessary investment in public health and equity for our most vulnerable children.”

The Stop Child Hunger Act builds on the permanent Summer EBT program to establish a permanent nutrition program for children from low-income families for all school closures. Specifically, it would:

  • Expand the new permanent Summer EBT program to all school closures longer than five consecutive days.
  • Increase the value of the benefit to cover the cost of breakfast, lunch, and a snack for every day school is closed. The FY23 omnibus government funding package only authorized funding for $40 a month per child.
  • Allow eligible households to use EBT cards for the purchase of food from retail food stores that have been approved for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
  • Provide grants to states to support the development of data systems or upgrades to existing data systems to carry out this program more effectively.

“Millions of children lose access to free and reduced-price meals when schools close,” said Crystal FitzSimons, Interim President of the Food Research & Action Center (FRAC). “The Stop Child Hunger Act builds on the Summer EBT program to help families keep food on the table during school breaks, increasing the benefit levels and covering state’ cost. FRAC urges Congress to pass this bill without delay. Hungry children can’t wait.” 

“With the Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025, Senator Murray is acting on one of the most critical needs in Washington state right now, where families with children are often twice as likely to be food insecure. This bill builds on the success of the SUN Bucks EBT program in 2024, which delivered a one-time $120 benefit per year per eligible child, so nearly 600,000 families were able to buy groceries last summer. Senator Murray’s leadership on child hunger is unmatched with real solutions and real results for Washington families,” said Megan Blado Cooper, Interim CEO of Food Lifeline.

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LEADER JEFFRIES STATEMENT ON POPE LEO XIV

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

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Rep. Norcross Returns Home After Recent Medical Incident

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

CHERRY HILL, NJ — Today, Congressman Donald Norcross returned home following his brief stay at a rehabilitation facility. His recovery has been going incredibly smoothly and his “Jersey fight” is on full display. In the coming weeks he is expected to continue outpatient rehabilitation and his medical team will be removing his gallbladder. He continues to stay in constant contact with his staff and is engaging in various meetings in South Jersey and on the issues in Washington D.C. 

“It is good to be home. I owe a debt of immense gratitude to the incredible health professionals at Cooper Hospital who saved my life and have been instrumental in helping me recover so quickly,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “I want to sincerely thank the incredible South Jersey community for the outpouring of prayers, cards, calls and well wishes. Be assured that I will continue to fight for our seniors, veterans and hard working families each and every day.”

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Read More (Rep. Steube Introduces ELECT Act to End Taxpayer-Funded Presidential Campaigns)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

May 08, 2025 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) today announced the introduction of the House companion to the Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2025, legislation originally introduced in the Senate by Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa). The bill would permanently terminate the outdated and wasteful Presidential Election Campaign Fund and return any remaining balances to the Treasury to reduce the national deficit.
“For decades, American taxpayers have been forced to subsidize presidential campaigns, even those they fundamentally oppose,” said Rep. Steube. “This fund is a relic of the past, riddled with abuse and irrelevant in today’s campaign financing landscape. It’s long past time we ended this unnecessary waste of taxpayer dollars and put the money toward reducing our nation’s ballooning deficit.”
“The last thing we need to use tax dollars for is to line the pockets of political consultants,” said Senator Ernst. “There is no better way to pay down the $36 trillion debt than by defunding welfare for political campaigns. Washington should be working to benefit all Americans instead of itself.”
The ELECT Act eliminates the ability for taxpayers to designate $3 on their federal tax return to fund presidential campaigns and nominating conventions. It also shutters the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and directs all remaining funds to the U.S. Treasury for deficit reduction.
Background:Despite being created in the 1970s as a means of campaign finance reform, the system has been largely abandoned by modern candidates. No major party presidential nominee has participated in the public financing system since 2008.
Read the full bill here.

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WATCH: Pressley Rallies at 24-Hour Vigil to Defend Medicaid, Protect Vulnerable Communities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

With Republicans threatening massive cuts to Medicaid in their reconciliation bill, Pressley is standing with seniors, folks with disabilities, children, and everyone whose lives depend on it

“Medicaid is not some line item on a spreadsheet. Medicaid is healthcare. Medicaid is a lifeline. No one should be in the business of taking away health care from people.”

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) rallied with caregivers, advocates, and fellow lawmakers at a 24-hour vigil to protect Medicaid from Republicans’ cruel budget cuts that would devastate communities across this country. Congresswoman Pressley made clear that Medicaid isn’t just a line item in the Republican budget, but a lifeline for millions of families who call this country home.

“Half of the children in America are covered by Medicaid. It allows people with complex chronic conditions to afford the medications they need to stay alive. And 10% of Medicaid enrollees are over the age of 60. It allows our elders and our neighbors with disabilities to receive care in their homes and to stay in their communities. This Republican reconciliation bill guts the programs that hold our communities together – Medicaid, but also SNAP, Head Start, and the VA – programs that give people a fighting chance,” Congresswoman Pressley declared. “Again, the cruelty is the point. Calling Medicaid a lifeline is not exaggeration, it is a fact.”

With Republicans proposing disastrous cuts to essential, life-saving programs including Medicaid, SNAP, Head Start, and the VA, Congresswoman Pressley has been speaking out and leveraging every tool to defend vulnerable communities that stand to be harmed by Republican’s reckless budget.

In the House Financial Services Committee’s markup of Republicans’ reconciliation bill, Rep. Pressley shared the a powerful story of a family from a Republican district at risk from the proposed Medicaid cuts. In the House Oversight Committee’s markup of the bill, she challenged Republicans to oppose devasting cuts to food assistance – only to be met with silence.

A full transcript of her remarks at today’s Medicaid vigil is available below and video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley, Lawmakers, Advocates Rally in 24-Hour Vigil to Defend Medicaid, Protect Vulnerable Communities
U.S. Capitol Building
May 8, 2025

They kept thanking me for being here – I said, “Are you kidding me?” This is my family right here – my movement family. There’s no place I’d rather be – and I had to be.

I wanted to thank you all for being here. I’m so grateful for you justice-seekers, you freedom-fighters – you could’ve chosen to be anywhere else, but you chose to be here.

Not because of your jobs, your titles – I’m not here because I’m your Congresswoman, I’m here because I’m your sister in struggle and solidarity. I’m here because I’m a human being who gives a damn about other human beings. 

Because we are one human family – and our destinies are truly tied.

I am so inspired by all of you. I have long believed that every great movement requires three things: imagination, strategy, and stamina.

Can you all give yourselves permission to radically dream that every person who needs care, can get it?

You are employing the strategy of peaceful protest and civil disobedience, which has been proven throughout history to be the way that we resist tyranny, that we resist oppression, that we advance progress.

And many of you have been here for 24 hours – so you are certainly demonstrating your stamina.

So imagination – I am just audacious enough to believe that we can protect Medicaid.

That we can have care, not cuts.

I’m just audacious enough to dream and to imagine that everyone deserves care.

We are joined together by a moral purpose and a moral moment: to defend Medicaid and the people we love from a Republican budget that is cruel by design.

The cruelty is the point.

A budget that would rip $880 billion from Medicaid – not to save money, but to bankroll tax cuts for Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s billionaire friends. Billionaires who don’t need another dime. People who will never face the agony of choosing between medicine and rent, groceries and insulin.

Medicaid is not some line item on a spreadsheet.

Medicaid is health care. Medicaid is a lifeline. No one should be in the business of taking away health care from people.

This is not about Democrats versus Republicans. This is about right and wrong, good and evil – it is as simple that.

Denying people healthcare – that’s wrong. That’s evil.

Republicans are firing food inspectors in the Department of Agriculture. They are dismantling public health agencies like the CDC and NIH. They are bringing back measles.

All this as a part of the so-called DOGE initiative.

How frightening that these clueless DOGE bros are determining the future of our country.

Suddenly, our greatest wealth as a nation is the health of our people.

I’m all for a government that is more efficient – but this ain’t it.

There is nothing efficient about making people sicker.

There is nothing efficient about making people hungrier.

There is nothing efficient about making people poorer.

There is nothing efficient about making people more vulnerable. 

There is nothing efficient about buying more toy rockets for Elon Musk while working parents can’t afford baby formula or blood pressure medication.

The shame and the sham of it all.

Cutting Medicaid would hurt folks from every walk of life and at every stage of their life.

Medicaid covers 2 out of 5 births in this country. Slashing Medicaid will only accelerate the maternal health crisis and widen the racial disparities that already harm Black women in my district – the MA 7th – and across the country.

Donald Trump is a dictator, y’all. And the reason why Republicans is because they want a citizenry that is ignorant and uninformed.

They want a citizenry that is indifferent to the suffering of their neighbors.

They want a citizenry that is inactive.

The only way to beat a dictator is with defiance.

And that’s what you’re doing here today.

So I thank you – I thank you on behalf of the children of this country.

Half of the children in America are covered by Medicaid. It allows people with complex chronic conditions to afford the medications they need to stay alive.

And 10% of Medicaid enrollees are over the age of 60. It allows our elders and our neighbors with disabilities to receive care in their homes and to stay in their communities.

This Republican reconciliation bill guts the programs that hold our communities together – Medicaid, but also SNAP, Head Start, and the VA – programs that give people a fighting chance.

Again, the cruelty is the point.

Calling Medicaid a lifeline is not exaggeration, it is a fact.

Policy is not abstract. It is not neutral. 

Policy and budgets determine who lives.

Policy and budgets determine who dies.

Policy and budgets determine who survives, who thrives.

This is policy violence.

This is a fight for dignity. It is a fight for justice. And we will do everything we can to stop this cruel budget from becoming law.

Again, we are appealing to people of conscience.

It only takes four Republicans to do the right thing, y’all.

Four to stand with the people that they serve, instead of being a cult of cowards, complicit in the wholesale harm of our people.

It just takes four Republicans of conscience to do the right thing, to stand up for the people they serve.

Four to show a shred of humanity. Four to protect Medicaid.

Let’s make sure they hear us. Today, tomorrow, and every day until they do.

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Brownley, Pingree Reintroduce Legislation to Make Composting a Federally Approved and Funded Practice

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-ME) introduced the Cultivating Organic Matter through the Promotion Of Sustainable Techniques (COMPOST) Act, legislation that recognizes the environmental benefits of composting and establishes composting as a conservation practice for U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. 

“While several states already have programs that recognize the many benefits of composting, there is no federal policy to encourage or provide sufficient resources to move a national composting effort forward,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “With food production and subsequent food waste contributing immensely to greenhouse gas emissions, many states without clear composting guidelines or practices have fallen behind in the collective effort to meet our 2050 net-zero emission goals.”

“We must continue to take bold action in the fight to lessen the impacts of climate change and protect our resources and our environment for future generations,” continued Brownley. “My bill seeks to do just that by incentivizing farmers to implement more sustainable farming practices like composting. Expanding access to composting practices is of immense value to farmers who rely on soil health and the climate resiliency of their land, both of which are strengthened through composting. And, by diverting food and organic waste from going to the landfill and being incinerated, the expansion of composting practices helps support our local environment, local jobs, and local, healthy food production, making this legislation a true win-win for our communities.”

“Wasted food doesn’t just fill up landfills—it fuels the climate crisis. As co-founder of the bipartisan Congressional Food Recovery Caucus, I’m proud to support Congresswoman Brownley’s legislation to expand composting through conservation programs at the Department of Agriculture,” said Congresswoman Chellie Pingree. “This is a commonsense step toward a more sustainable food system.”

Background

Composting is one of the most environmentally friendly means of disposing of food waste and other organic waste. Not only does composting emit a smaller quantity of greenhouse gases compared to alternative disposal methods, it also yields a valuable soil additive that enhances soil health, which in turn makes the soil a better absorber of carbon, while also making the land more resilient to climate change-fueled disasters like wildfires and floods. Additionally, while there is growing interest by individuals and businesses across the country to compost food scraps and compostable packaging, there is not enough composting infrastructure in the U.S. to meet this demand.

Unfortunately, under current law, this important conservation practice is not eligible for federal funding or assistance. In fact, composting is not an approved conservation practice (like cover crops or no-tilling systems) for USDA conservation programs, including under the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) or the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP).

This bill would add composting as a conservation practice for USDA conservation programs. Both the act of producing compost from organic waste and using compost on a farm would qualify as a conservation practice.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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Jayapal Condemns Planned Third-Country Removal Flights to Libya

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

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representative Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Ranking Member of the Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, issued the following statement in response to the reports that the Trump administration is actively working to send individuals to Libya without due process:

“The idea that we would send people to Libya, a country for which our government literally has a ‘Do Not Travel’ advisory, where terrorist groups are present, outbreaks of violence between competing armed groups occur with little warning, and migrants are enslaved, is ridiculous.

“The federal judge who ruled to stop third-country removals has made clear that ruling applies here. The Trump administration must follow and abide by the court order. Whether it is Libya or El Salvador, or anywhere else in the world – people cannot be deported from this country without due process.  

“This is about all of us. The Trump administration has already illegally deported U.S. citizen children, including a U.S. citizen child in the middle of cancer treatments, as well as others with legal status. The president has also floated shipping U.S. citizens off to prisons in El Salvador. If he can ignore due process rights for some, he could ignore them for everyone. As a country, we must be better than this.”

Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Libya has been entrenched in a political and humanitarian crisis. The country does not currently have a functioning government, and the United States does not have an embassy within the country. 

Issues: