MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Jimmy Gomez hosted a telephone town hall tonight to hear directly from constituents as communities across the country grapple with aggressive immigration enforcement, rising costs, and growing concerns about holding Republicans in power accountable. Rep. Gomez was joined by 7,212 constituents from across Los Angeles.

During the call, Gomez addressed the killing of U.S. citizen Renée Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, ongoing immigration enforcement activity, and what he described as blatant abuses of power by the Trump administration. He also discussed his efforts to hold the Department of Homeland Security accountable, including a lawsuit against the Trump administration to ensure members of congress have access to conduct unannounced oversight visits at federal detention facilities, as well as newly filed articles of impeachment against DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.

Gomez also spoke about escalating instability abroad, including the Trump administration’s recent unauthorized military operation in Venezuela and reckless rhetoric toward NATO allies. He highlighted his recent legislation to block any attempt by President Trump to invade, annex, or purchase Greenland, warning that unauthorized military threats put global security and American credibility at risk. 

“I’m holding these town halls because families are living with the consequences of Donald Trump’s abuse of power every day, from rising prices to aggressive immigration enforcement that’s tearing communities apart,” said Rep. Gomez. “I’m using every tool I have, oversight, the courts, and legislation, to hold this administration accountable. Hearing directly from constituents is how we push back and make sure that accountability actually happens.”  

Rep. Gomez also highlighted legislative efforts to lower costs for working families, including his proposed bill to redirect Trump’s $175 billion anti-immigrant slush fund into making housing affordable.

Gomez closed by encouraging constituents to stay engaged and continue sharing their stories.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Briefing, where he made clear that Democrats will continue to hold ICE, DHS and the Trump administration accountable for the extremism that they are unleashing on American communities.

JEN PSAKI: Joining me now is House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Mike Johnson—I can’t, that clip. I had to watch it a few times because I just can’t believe that that is the message when we’re seeing what we’re seeing with our own eyes happen in Minneapolis. The continuing terror done on communities across that state. What people—I think everybody watching knows this, but Democrats are not in control of the House, they’re not in control of Senate and they’re not in control of the White House. So there’s a question of leverage here. I know you’ve talked about, and others in Democratic leadership, the CHC, the Progressive Caucus, have all talked about accountability. And I want to talk about those measures. But what leverage do you see you have right now to try to force Republicans to make this an issue in the funding debate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, one thing that’s going to be important is to continue to point out how outrageous it is that Republicans are trying to justify what ICE is doing in American communities, on American streets and to American citizens. ICE just killed, in cold blood, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen, who’s left behind three children. This is unreal stuff. It’s unconscionable, it’s unacceptable and it’s un-American. So continuing to ratchet up the intensity around public pressure and sentiment will be important to push a handful of our Republican colleagues to join us to make sure that ICE actually is conducting itself like every other law enforcement agency in America. That means no masks, that means a requirement that there are body cameras when ICE is engaging in this activity across the country, that means a warrant requirement, that means making sure that ICE can’t just bully and bombard and steamroll and storm houses of worship, hospitals, schools, ripping children away from their parents, things that are appropriately horrifying the American people that no other law enforcement agency is permitted to do. And we also have to make sure in law that this notion that ICE has absolute immunity is nothing that can ever be vindicated in an American court of law because part of the challenge here is if you have people in the Trump administration saying that it doesn’t matter what you do you will not be held accountable, then there are going to be some bad apples who are out there toting guns, engaging in this lawless behavior, who will feel like they have a free hand to do whatever they want. Governor Walz is right, however, they are going to be held accountable.

JEN PSAKI: I mean, it is infuriating to watch this officer. Seemingly, it’s hard to see what the path to accountability is there. Let me ask you, you know, I’m sure you get lots of calls to your office. I know a lot of people do. You just outlined a number of those restrictions you’d like to see on ICE. Masks, it’s crazy that they get to wear masks. Warrants, they should have to offer those. More training. You’ve listed more than that. There is a growing movement, not 50%, of people who want to abolish ICE. There is certainly some kind of political backlash of that five years ago, but explain, you’re trying to win back the House, you’re trying to become the Speaker. Why is that not the answer right now?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, listen, I think clearly significant reform needs to take place as it relates to the manner in which ICE is conducting itself. ICE is using taxpayer dollars to brutalize American citizens and to unnecessarily and viciously target law abiding immigrant families and communities. The whole premise that Donald Trump sold to the American people was that this immigration enforcement activity was going to target violent felons. It’s not targeting violent felons. They’re targeting American families, brutalizing American communities. And now, as we’ve seen, killing American citizens. This is out of control and the American people aren’t going to stand for it. So certainly we need massive reform to the way in which ICE and the Department of Homeland Security are currently conducting themselves. The American people are going to demand it and Democrats are going to press for it.

JEN PSAKI: We’re certainly seeing that out there with protests and with people marching in the streets. I want to turn to healthcare because it was just a week ago—it feels like we’re in some sort of version of dog years, I don’t even know how you feel right now—that you helped lead the effort to pass a three-year extension of the ACA subsidies that so many millions of Americans are relying on. We’ve already seen 1.4 million people opt out of healthcare and it’s going to be more as they see what the costs are. Right now there is a—I’m going to call it, you can call it what you want—a phony negotiation over in the Senate. They’re not really doing it. Senator Thune could just bring up this three-year extension and get a vote. And who knows, maybe he’d get the votes. Why is he not doing that, and what can be done to press him to do that?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well we decisively, as you pointed out, passed a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits to ensure that tens of millions of everyday Americans, middle class Americans and working class Americans don’t experience dramatically increased health insurance premiums that would, in some instances, bankrupt them or certainly prevent them from being able to go see a doctor when they need one. And all 213 House Democrats were joined by 17 Republicans because the people are with us on this issue. We know over in the Senate that a majority of Senators, 47 Democrats and four Republicans, support extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years in a clean extension. And so the obstacle right now is that John Thune and conservative Republicans, the MAGA extremists, they just want to rip healthcare away from the American people. There’s no other explanation. This is the same group of folks that in the One Big Ugly Bill enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history. They also ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans. And they did all of that so they could reward their billionaire donors. And that seems to be the only thing that they care about other than constantly bending the knee to Donald Trump and his extremism.

JEN PSAKI: Just to restate, the overwhelming majority of the public supports an extension of these subsidies and the right wing of the caucus in the Senate Republicans wants to put in conservative abortion restrictions, which means John Thune—he’s dealing with that portion of his caucus. I don’t know, he could bring it up still and there still might be the votes. But that is what’s going on, which is really crazy given millions of people are relying on this right now. Leader Jeffries, thank you so much for being here.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

JEN PSAKI: I really appreciate it. So much to discuss. Thank you again.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good to see you.

Interview can be watched here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Senator Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) announced that she was under federal investigation for filming a video urging military service members to refuse “illegal orders.”

In response to the Trump administration’s continuous weaponization of the federal government, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens released the following statement:

“Elissa Slotkin is a patriot who has dedicated herself to serving our country. I strongly condemn the Trump administration’s weaponization of the Justice Department to intimidate Senator Slotkin for doing exactly what her oath of office requires: defending the Constitution and the rule of law. Reminding service members that they have a duty to refuse illegal orders is not sedition. It is a safeguard of democracy.

“Using law enforcement to retaliate against elected officials is dangerous and straight out of the authoritarian playbook. I stand with Senator Slotkin and with every public servant who honors their oath and fights to uphold the Constitution.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the key House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for all federal discretionary funding, announced final House passage of a measure consolidating two more of twelve annual federal funding bills for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (commencing October 1, 2026).  

The National Security, Department of State and Related Programs measure funds U.S. foreign policy efforts, including the Department of State, U.S. contributions to the United Nations and its agencies and more.  

The bill has historically provided for international diplomatic presence and outreach as well as foreign assistance in public health, basic education, educational and cultural exchanges, climate change and more. The bill’s proposed FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $50 billion, or $9.3 billion less than the FY 2025 enacted level, reflecting the administration’s focus on reducing such programs.

The other bill – Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) – funds the U.S. Treasury Department, the Small Business Administration (SBA), federal courts, the Federal Communications Commission, the Office of Personnel Management and various independent agencies. The bill’s proposed FY 2026 discretionary funding level is $26 billion, $3.1 billion below the current FY 2025 enacted level.

National Security, Department of State and Related Programs

Case, while opposing the overall funding reductions, welcomed support in the bill for various of his requests related to Hawai‘i and the Indo-Pacific, especially $22 million for the East-West Center in Honolulu.

“As we continue to focus on the growing influence of the PRC in the Indo-Pacific, our national security interests must also include diplomatic engagement and assistance to promote peace and diplomacy in the region,” said Case.

“Continued funding for our East-West Center and other world-leading institutions in Hawai‘i supports our country’s standing in an area widely seen as the most dynamic and critical on earth.” 

“For all seven of my years on Appropriations, I have ranked full funding for the Center at the top of my annual requests to my Committee because I believe not only in the Center’s invaluable work but in what it represents for Hawaii’s central role in the Indo-Pacific and in the broader benefits that bring high-quality jobs to our overall economy,” he said.

“Though we still await final approval by the Senate and the President, I’m grateful that my colleagues have again favorably considered my request, especially when the President’s budget proposed zero funding for the Center.” 

Other bill provisions requested by Case, who continues as co-chair of the House Pacific Islands Caucus, include:

·         $1.8 billion for the implementation of the Indo-Pacific Strategy, which promotes peace, prosperity and democracy in the region. 

·         $175 million in assistance for the Pacific Islands region, the same as FY 2025 enacted levels.

·         $20 million for the Pacific Islands Forum’s Pacific Resilience Facility, a Pacific-led and member-owned financial institution designed to support Pacific Islands nations facing climate change and disaster risks. 

·         $3 million for the Advancing Port Enhancement and Customs Security Program in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for Pacific Islands exchange programs, with a focus on partnering with universities in Pacific locations.  

·         Funding for small grants programs to assist local communities across the Pacific Islands.

·         Report language supporting the Peace Corps’ expansion in the Pacific.

·         Funding for a demand-driven initiative to diversify trade opportunities in the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for a Flexible Microfinance Facility for the Pacific Islands, launched by the Development Finance Corporation with the Department of State. 

·         Report language supporting funding for free and open media in the Pacific. 

·         Funding for trade capacity-building activities in the Pacific Islands. 

·         Language requiring a report on ways to strengthen U.S. trade and investment with the Pacific Islands.  

·         Funding for unexploded ordinance removal in the Pacific Islands, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Kiribati.

·         Language requiring a strategy for faith-based engagement for assistance in the Pacific Islands.

The bill further includes funding for several foreign policy programs supported by Case, although some at unacceptably low levels. Among them are:

• $411 million for the Peace Corps. 
• $335 million for peacekeeping operations.
• $1.2 billion to support international peacekeeping activities.
• $667 million for educational and cultural exchange programs, which include the Fulbright programs.
• $1.4 billion for contributions to international organizations.
• $1.3 billion for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
• $915 million for maternal and child health programs. 

“While I voted for this measure because it did fund many critical Hawai‘i and Indo-Pacific priorities I requested, the bill as a whole weakens our global leadership when the world most needs our continued full engagement,” said Case.

“Yet this outcome was more favorable than the one proposed by the Trump administration and the previous House version,” continued Case. “The final version of the bill succeeded in rejecting the full extent of President Trump’s proposed cuts by investing $50 billion in U.S. global leadership, which is $19 billion or 61 percent above President Trump’s request.”

When Case spoke in Committee last year, he said the foreign affairs funding measure is a critical tool to ensure we do not “split our alliances, partnerships and friendships and cast our country as an unreliable partner,” allowing the People’s Republic of China to fill voids left by U.S. disengagement. His remarks are here. 

A summary of the National Security and Department of State Appropriations bill is here.

Financial Services and General Government

“This measure funds many critical national and local priorities for Hawai‘i that I requested, in particular programs assisting some 134,000 small businesses that form the backbone of Hawaii’s economy,” said Case.

The bill provides $1 billion for SBA, an increase of $383 million above the budget request and $169 million above the initial House level. The bill includes $330 million, an increase of $13 million above FY 2025 enacted and $180 million above the request, for Entrepreneurial Development Programs.

“These include efforts that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training and expand trade opportunities in the international marketplace,” explained Case.

The final version of the bill includes $324 million for the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund Program, up from $277 million initially proposed by House Republicans.

Last year Case spoke in Committee in support of CDFIs, which play an important role in helping Hawai‘i. It assists specialized community-based financial institutions that promote economic development by providing financial products and services to people and communities underserved by traditional financial institutions, particularly in low-income and minority communities. See his speech in the Appropriations Committee here.

Case stressed that in Hawai‘i alone, there are 11 certified CDFIs that in Fiscal Year 2023 made loans totaling $132 million. He urged full funding to the CDFI Fund and opposed any efforts to freeze CDFI funding.

Case also gained approval of his funding requests for several federal programs and services especially important for the State of Hawai‘i including:  

·         $28 million for CDFI Native Initiatives, which provides Financial Assistance and Technical Assistance awards to build the capacity of CDFIs serving Native American, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian communities.

·         $5.3 million for the SBA Native American Outreach Program.  

·         $150 million for Small Business Development Centers, which supports six SBDC in Hawai‘i.

·         $41 million for the Microloan Technical Assistance Program.

·         $27 million for the Women’s Business Centers Program, which supports the Patsy T. Mink Center for Business and Leadership.

·         $9 million for the Regional Innovation Clusters Program. 

·         $20 million for the State Trade Expansion Program.

·         $7 million for the Program for Investors in Micro-Entrepreneurs. 

·         $4 million for the Historically Underutilized Business Zones Program. 

·         $109 million for the Drug-Free Communities Program.

·         $299 million for the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program.

·         $1.8 billion for Defender Services. 

In addition, the bill included his provision directing the SBA to coordinate with relevant federal agencies, businesses, employees and financial institutions to expand employee business ownership, including cooperatives and employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), provide technical assistance to assist employees in becoming business owners, and assist in accessing capital sources.

“ESOPs and similar employee ownership structures are vital to building succession plans to ensure small businesses remain in their communities where they belong,” said Case. “In Hawai‘i, we’ve seen firsthand the benefits of ESOPs. Hawai‘i is home to the second-oldest ESOP chapter in the nation, underscoring the success and importance of employee-owned businesses in our state.”

This provision builds off Case’s bipartisan measure (H.R. 2993) that would assist small businesses to adopt ESOPs, which offer a tested solution to employment and business productivity, stability and ownership transfer. (See here for more information.)

“While this measure funds many critical national and local priorities for Hawai‘i that I requested, there are also severe funding cuts to national programs assisting small businesses, including efforts that aid entrepreneurs, provide mentorship training and expand trade opportunities in the international marketplace.” 

In addition, the bill provides $45 million in funding for Election Security Grants to safeguard elections and democracy, $30 million above FY 2025. 

“In addition, the bill invests in agencies that protect the public, such as the Consumer Product Safety Commission at a level of $151 million, which keeps us safe against unreasonable risks of injury and death associated with defective products,” said Case.

A summary of the FSGG Appropriations bill is available is here.

This measure now moves to the full U.S. Senate for consideration.

###

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference, where he emphasized that nearly a year since Donald Trump took office, prices are higher than ever and House Democrats will continue fighting to lower costs and make life better for everyday Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Approximately a year ago, Donald Trump was sworn in as the 47th President of the United States of America. And he indicated that he was going to bring about a golden age in this great country. What Donald Trump and the Republicans have done as a result of their toxic, extreme policies is bring about a rotten age in the United States of America. The largest cut to Medicaid in American history. Hospitals, nursing homes and community-based health centers closing as a result of the Republican One Big Ugly Bill. Republicans are refusing to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, and that’s going to create a situation where tens of millions of everyday Americans will be unable to go see a doctor when they need one because their premiums are skyrocketing out of control, in some instances increasing by $1000 or $2000 per month. The Trump tariffs are making life more expensive for tens of millions of working class Americans. And the Trump administration has unleashed these lawless masked ICE agents to brutalize American citizens, even resulting in the unjustified killing of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good.

One year later, the Trump administration has been a complete and total failure, and the American people know it. And Republicans haven’t done a damn thing to make life better for working class Americans, everyday Americans and middle class Americans despite promising that costs were going to go down on day one. Costs haven’t gone down in the United States of America with Republican control of the House, the Senate and the presidency. Costs have gone up. Inflation skyrocketing out of control. Housing costs out of control. Grocery costs out of control. Utility bills out of control. Child care costs out of control. And healthcare costs out of control. Everyday Americans are suffering under the oppressive nature of the Trump-Republican economy. And it’s time for some congressional action to actually keep your word as Republicans, based on what you said you would do, which is to focus on addressing the high cost of living in this country. Instead, Republicans have consistently focused on rewarding their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks and then engaging, out of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the largest pay-to-play scheme in the history of the country. It’s disgusting. And the American people know it.

Full press conference can be watched here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) issued the following statement following the House passage of H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security and Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

“In 2024, the American people spoke clearly, sending a Republican trifecta to Washington to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in government and keep Americans safe – this package delivers on our commitment,” said Congressman Guthrie. “In our constantly evolving geopolitical landscape, I am proud to vote for this legislation that codifies President Trump’s foreign policy agenda to strengthen our standing on the world stage. This bill also rightly refocuses the priorities of the federal government to rein in Washington’s bureaucracy, cracks down on the sale and trafficking of deadly illegal drugs, and ensure government actually works for the people.”

Background: 

H.R. 7006 delivers on President Trump’s domestic and foreign policy agenda, delivering commonsense results for the American people. This bill includes two appropriations bills the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, in addition to the National Security and Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act. Summaries of these bills are available below.

Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act: 

• Modernizes the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to better support taxpayers and crack down on fraudsters and tax cheats.
• Protects Americans from deadly drugs like fentanyl by investing in the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program to strengthen interdiction efforts and stop narcotics from entering our borders and communities.
• Provides nearly $24 million for the Election Assistance Commission in addition to $45 million for election security grants and $80.85 million for the Federal Election Commission.
• Provides $1 billion for the Small Business Administration (SBA), which includes $282 million for the SBA disaster loan program.

A summary of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, provided by the House Appropriations Committee, prior to amendments, can be found here.

National Security and Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act:

• Prioritizes funding and policies to combat the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States to help save American lives.
• Enhances oversight and transparency requirements to ensure American taxpayer funds are not used by ineffective or fraudulent organizations.
• Includes robust assistance to bolster support for U.S. security partners across the world and prohibit the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) from accessing U.S. backed resources.
• Provides $16.6 billion for the operations of the Department of State and several related agencies and commissions, reducing funds for Washington-based operations and prioritizing funds for supporting and protecting overseas embassy personnel and facilities.
• Provides $23.35 billion for global health, national security investment programs, and humanitarian programs administered by the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury.

A summary of the National Security and Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, provided by the House Appropriations Committee, prior to amendments, can be found here.

Full text for the two-bill package can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins’ (R-LA) and Senator John Kennedy’s (R-LA) legislation, the Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act, passed the House and will head to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

The bill would ensure that deceased people are removed from government payment rolls by permanently requiring the Social Security Administration to share the “Death Master File” with the Treasury Department’s “Do Not Pay” system. In 2023 alone, the federal government sent $1.3 billion to deceased people. Read the bill text here. 

“This legislation will immediately save American taxpayers billions of dollars. It’s a simple fix to address government waste,” said Congressman Higgins. “As a fiscal conservative, I’m eager to see this bill, which reduces wasteful spending without expanding the size of the government, signed into law. I appreciate Senator Kennedy for his diligent work to get this joint effort to President Trump’s desk.” 

“The fact that the federal government is sending checks to dead people—often to be cashed by fraudsters—makes me want to reach for the barf bucket. That’s why I wrote this bill to permanently stop this outrageous fraud from happening, and I’m thrilled to see Congress officially on board with this commonsense fix,” said Senator Kennedy.

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

Congressman Baird Secures Wins in Financial Services and National Security Appropriations Package