MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) joined a majority of the House Appropriations Committee to pass the Fiscal Year 2027 Financial Services and General Government appropriations bill. 

The bill included the following USPS priorities for Riverside County, which were requested by Rep. Calvert:

• Eastvale Post Office: The bill directs the Postal Service to report on the metrics used to determine new facility acquisition and an analysis on the acquisition of a new post office for Eastvale
• Eastvale Zip Code: The bill directs the Postal Service to conduct a review of all overlapping municipal zip code jurisdictions that result in incorrect city listings and to provide a report on their findings and what solutions could be used to fix these issues, including designating a single unique zip code for Eastvale and other cities.

“Eastvale is one of the largest cities in the state that does not have its own post office,” said Rep. Calvert. “Local residents and small business owners should have access to USPS services without having to drive long distances. Since the city’s incorporation, Eastvale residents have regularly voiced frustrations with the lack of a unique zip code properly identifying the city. I have and will continue to work with Eastvale officials to support their USPS priorities.”

The bill included the following SBA priority for Riverside County, which were requested by Rep. Calvert:

• Coachella Valley SBA Office: The bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to fill the long vacant Senior Area Manager position at the SBA Coachella Valley office before hiring any new staff at the SBA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

“Many of the small businesses in the Coachella Valley need assistance with the SBA benefits that help them keep their doors open,” said Rep. Calvert. “This office has been vacant for years dating back to the Biden Administration, which is totally unacceptable. I will keep fighting to get our job creators the help they need.”

The bill included the following Office of National Drug Control Policy priority, which was requested by Rep. Calvert:

• High Intensity Drug Trafficking Program: The bill provides increased funding for the HIDTA program, which provides assistance to Federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug-trafficking regions of the United States.

“The HIDTA Program brings a whole of government approach to getting drugs off the streets in communities that are significantly impacted by illicit drug trafficking,” said Rep. Calvert. “The funding increase in this bill will give law enforcement more resources to protect Americans from these deadly drugs.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. —  Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01) today applauded the U.S. Army’s decision to establish the Army Data Operations Command (ADOC) at Aberdeen Proving Ground (APG) in Maryland’s First District, after advocating—at the request of the Army Alliance—for APG to serve as the command’s permanent home.

In a February 24 letter to Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll, Congressman Harris made the case for APG, highlighting its unmatched capabilities to support ADOC’s mission and urging the Army to permanently base the command there.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“ADOC belongs at Aberdeen Proving Ground. This decision puts a critical national security capability in Maryland’s First District, where the expertise and infrastructure already exist to get the job done, and reinforces APG’s role at the forefront of data, cyber, and network operation.”

Full text of the letter can be viewed here.

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

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

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) released the following statement on the USDA announcing the advancement of the agency’s unlawful restructuring plan, which includes the closure of the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in Prince George’s County:

“Based in Prince George’s County for over a century, BARC has a proud history of supporting American farmers’ efforts to put food on our tables. Recognizing its importance to our agricultural sector and our economy, Federal Team Maryland fought to make it clear in law – passed on a bipartisan basis by the House and Senate – that this facility must be kept open and upgraded so that it can continue its important work. In attempting to shutter the facility, the USDA is breaking the law. We will not stand idly by as they try to do so. Let us be clear: closing this critical facility will do nothing to improve efficiency – it will only end up wasting taxpayer dollars while jeopardizing the success of farmers across the country. We remain committed to seeing that USDA follows the law and keeps BARC operational as we intended.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the Memphis-based Mid-South Development District will receive Round Four Regional Infrastructure Accelerators Program funding of $1,150,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation to support an array of local transportation infrastructure projects.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“As America’s Distribution Center, Memphis is the hub in a transportation network that drives commerce and produces skilled workers. This Department of Transportation funding will help make more efficient the delivery of goods and services and strengthen our local economy.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced $7,619,427 in National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants to three Memphis-based medical research centers. St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will receive $6,752,102 from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) under a Cancer Center Support grant to advance cures for pediatric cancer. St. Jude will also receive an NCI grant of $38,009 for its pediatric oncology career development program and $79,780 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for research into fluconazole resistance under the direction of Dr. Darian Santana of the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences. 

The University of Memphis will receive a grant of $365,000 from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences for environmental research and the University of Tennessee Heath Science Center (UTHSC) will receive a grant of $41,536 from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases for research on aspergillosis under the direction of Dr. Harrison Thorn in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Memphis is fortunate to have these three world-renown medical research institutions, and I am pleased to see this substantial federal investment in the important work they do. I congratulate all of those whose research will be underwritten by these grants for their life-saving efforts.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

SCHAUMBURG, IL — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following statement after President Donald Trump reposted a podcast promoting racist attacks against India and immigrants:

“Donald Trump’s decision to amplify a racist rant attacking India and immigrants is disgraceful and beneath the office he holds. His rhetoric doesn’t just insult millions of Indian Americans and one of our most important global partners—it undermines the values that have made America a nation of opportunity and innovation. We should be strengthening that partnership and honoring our diversity, not stoking division for political gain.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) announced that Snohomish County will receive nearly $300,000 for flood prevention efforts. The resources will allow the county to make life-saving investments to protect communities at increasing risk of severe flooding. The funding, initially approved in June 2025, was held up awaiting the signature of then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. 

“Our communities don’t have the time or ability to wait month after month for the federal resources they need to help prepare for the next natural disaster. Washington has faced more frequent and intense flooding in recent years. These resources will help the county better prepare to protect lives and property,” said DelBene. “By finally unlocking these funds, communities along the Snohomish, Stillaguamish, and other river systems and waterways will be better prepared for future flooding.”  

“December’s flooding highlighted how critical flood mitigation measures can be in ensuring that our residents live in prepared and resilient communities,” said Snohomish County Executive Dave Somers. “This grant will help give us more information about what needs to happen to keep people and property safe. It provides the resources for us to look holistically at flood infrastructure countywide, specifically dikes and levees, so that we can work with partners on identifying and addressing areas of concern.” 

In December 2025, DelBene, along with Representatives Rick Larsen (WA-02) and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), called on then-Sec. Noem to release the funding that had already been held up for six months at that point, as Washington was facing another round of extreme weather and flooding.  

The funding was announced as part of a $21 million FEMA investment to support flood mitigation in Washington and Oregon. The full FEMA announcement can be found here. 

The letter to Sec. Noem can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Lance Gooden (TX-05) introduced the Protecting American Railroad Workers’ Jobs Act. Concerns about delays at rail points of entry between Mexico and the United States have led the Federal Railroad Administration to grant more waivers allowing crew changes and inspections to occur after trains have already crossed the border. Delayed crew changes and inspections increase opportunities for foreign actors to smuggle drugs, such as fentanyl or the precursor chemicals required to make synthetic opioids, into the United States. Pappas’s bill would tighten security and protect American rail workers by allowing only U.S. Citizens and permanent residents with a reporting location in the United States to operate trains crossing the U.S. Southern Border, and by ensuring that inspections are not unnecessarily delayed.

“Reestablishing these commonsense guidelines for rail crew changes and inspections will improve rail safety, protect American rail workers’ livelihoods, and help law enforcement safely interdict dangerous drugs,” said Congressman Pappas. “Our bipartisan legislation will ensure existing standards are and will continue to support efforts that combat drug trafficking and save lives.”

“This America-First bill puts an end to Mexican exploitation of U.S. rail standards that threatens American railroad jobs and undermines rail safety,” said Congressman Gooden. “Freight moving through the United States should be operated by workers legally authorized to work here and held to American safety standards.”

“On behalf of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the BLET, I want to commend Reps. Gooden and Pappas for introducing the Protecting American Railroad Workers Jobs Act of 2026 and for standing with union railroaders,” said Mark Wallace, President of the Teamsters Rail Conference and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET). “This is a critically important issue, and I appreciate these two leaders working across the aisle to get it done. In repeated visits to the southern border, I heard one consistent message from BLET members: railroad jobs in America should be done by Americans. This legislation reflects that commonsense principle and will strengthen job security for BLET members while reinforcing proper oversight of cross-border rail operations.”

The text of the bill can be found here.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata, Governor Pulaali’i Nikolao Pula, President of the Senate Tuaolo Manaia E. Fruean, and Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale met with Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate McGregor, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs William Hague to reiterate the shared concerns and unity of American Samoa’s elected leaders regarding seabed mining in the U.S. EEZ and urge that the people of American Samoa should benefit from royalties for any activity that the federal government proceeds with over their local opposition. Also discussed were maintaining a better communication between the DOI and American Samoa regarding seabed mining, as well as federal funding of infrastructure, US Coast Guard cutters, and federal highways.

StarKist Group Photo

See more photos here

“This was a productive and helpful discussion and I appreciate the opportunity to have a part in bringing together our Governor, Senate President, House Speaker, and two key senior leaders of the Department of the Interior in one room to go over these important topics. Thank you to each one for taking part so all viewpoints and priorities were heard for a fuller understanding by each of these leaders to achieve the best possible policy results for our people,” said Congresswoman Amata. 

StarKist Visit

Congresswoman Amata, Deputy Secretary of the Interior Kate McGregor, and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Insular, International, and Ocean Affairs William Hague also visited the StarKist facility and employees. The employees sang, and DOI leadership was briefed on operations and the recent expansions in products and packaging. Thank you to Injoo Ha, General Manager, StarKist; Michael McDonald, American Samoa Port Administration; Brett Butler, former General Manager of StarKist; Joe Hamby, CEO, Cape Fisheries Holdings; Tufuga Fa’afo’i Palepua, Senior Manager, StarKist.

“Every time I go to our StarKist facility, I’m so touched by the prayer and singing of our Samoan people, and once again I was proud of them all for being such a great representation of our people to Deputy Secretary McGregor and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Hague,” said Aumua Amata. “Thank you to everyone working there who had a part in welcoming us, guiding them through the operations, and showcasing the importance of this industry to our islands and its role in our nation’s food security.”

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