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Casten Introduces New CO2 Cap-And-Trade Bill

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

March 19, 2025

Washington, D.C.  — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) introduced the Tradeable Energy Performance Standards (TEPS) Act, legislation to eliminate the net emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from power plants and large industrial thermal energy users by 2048 in the most economically-efficient way possible.

“Carbon dioxide emissions from power plants and large industrial users of thermal energy make up nearly 40% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “I spent 16 years building companies that had a mission of profitably reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Tradeable Energy Performance Standards Act accelerates private companies’ ability to do just that and puts us one step closer to achieving our goal of a net-zero economy by 2050.”

The TEPS Act uses a market-based cap-and-trade program that covers the CO2 emissions of power plants and large industrial thermal energy users. The program will be administered, tracked and overseen by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Under the Act, each year, each covered facility will receive from the EPA a certain number of allowances to emit CO2 based on the amount of electricity or useful thermal energy produced that year. This output-based allowance allocation method will ratchet down each year so that by 2048, 20 years after the beginning of the program, no more allowances will be distributed.

The allowances will be fully tradeable. A facility that has more allowances to emit CO2 than it actually emits will be able to sell those additional allowances to a facility with emissions in excess of its allowances. The pricing and terms of those sales will be determined on a bilateral basis, and the allowances will ultimately be submitted to the EPA to ensure that no facility emits in excess of its allowed level. 

A one-page summary of the bill can be found here.

A section-by-section of the bill can be found here.

Text of the bill can be found here.

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Casten Announced as Vice Ranking Member of House Financial Services Committee

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

March 18, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA), the top Democrat on the House Financial Services Committee, announced Congressman Sean Casten (D-IL), as the Vice Ranking Member on the Committee.

“I am pleased to announce that Congressman Sean Casten will serve as Vice Ranking Member on the House Financial Services Committee for the 119thCongress. For many years, Committee Democrats have benefited greatly from Congressman Casten’s extensive expertise and unwavering commitment to establishing strong guardrails for our economy and protecting our nation’s consumers,” said Congresswoman Waters. “Not only that, Congressman Casten has led the way in addressing the existential threat climate change poses to America’s financial ecosystem. As Trump and his unelected co-President, Elon Musk continue their reckless and illegal efforts to dismantle our nation’s pro-consumer agencies and destabilize the economy to enrich their billionaire friends, Congressman Casten will be a key player in the fight to combat these attacks.”

“The House Financial Services Committee is at the center of the fight for investor protection, consumer advocacy, affordable housing, and combating climate-related financial risk,” said Congressman Casten. “I’m honored to be named Vice Ranking Member of this committee and look forward to working with Ranking Member Waters and our colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find bipartisan solutions to address our nation’s most pressing needs.”

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Casten, 109 House Democrats Demand GAO Track Federal Fund Disbursement Delays

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

March 18, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representative Sean Casten led 109 House Democrats in a letter to Comptroller General Gene Dodaro of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) demanding the GAO develop and maintain a database to systematically track delays in disbursing appropriated and obligated funds to American communities.

“The freezing of IRA and IIJA funds has already had immediate and measurable consequences, jeopardizing national and state climate initiatives and harming communities that rely on this funding,” the lawmakers wrote. “…The lack of transparency around the executive order’s implementation has made it difficult for impacted communities, businesses, and state governments to plan effectively, creating unnecessary uncertainty, financial hardship, and disruption to critical infrastructure projects.”

In January 2025, the White House implemented a freeze on federal funds from the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), even though most of these funds had already been congressionally appropriated and obligated. Although multiple court rulings have struck down these freezes, the Trump administration has been slow to comply, leaving many grant and funding recipients unable to access the funds they were promised.

In addition to Rep. Casten, the letter was signed by Reps. Ansari, Yassamin; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Beatty, Joyce; Beyer, Donald; Bishop, Sanford; Boyle, Brendan; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Budzinski, Nikki; Carbajal, Salud; Case, Ed; Casten, Sean; Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila; Cisneros, Gilbert; Clarke, Yvette; Cleaver, Emanuel; Cohen, Steve; Correa, J.; Costa, Jim; Crockett, Jasmine; Davis, Danny; DeGette, Diana; Deluzio, Christopher; DeSaulnier, Mark; Espaillat, Adriano; Evans, Dwight; Fields, Cleo; Figures, Shomari; Foster, Bill; Friedman, Laura; Frost, Maxwell; Garamendi, John; García, Jesús; Garcia, Robert; Garcia, Sylvia; Goldman, Daniel; Goodlander, Maggie; Himes, James; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Huffman, Jared; Ivey, Glenn; Jackson, Jonathan; Jacobs, Sara; Jayapal, Pramila; Johnson, Julie; Kaptur, Marcy; Kelly, Robin; Kennedy, Timothy; Khanna, Ro; Krishnamoorthi, Raja; Landsman, Greg; Larsen, Rick; Latimer, George; Lee, Susie; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Levin, Mike; Lieu, Ted; Lofgren, Zoe; Matsui, Doris; McBath, Lucy; McClain Delaney, April; McCollum, Betty; McGovern, James; McIver, LaMonica; Meeks, Gregory; Moore, Gwen; Moskowitz, Jared; Moulton, Seth; Mullin, Kevin; Nadler, Jerrold; Neguse, Joe; Norton, Eleanor; Olszewski, Johnny; Panetta, Jimmy; Peters, Scott; Pettersen, Brittany; Pocan, Mark; Quigley, Mike; Ramirez, Delia; Randall, Emily; Raskin, Jamie; Ross, Deborah; Salinas, Andrea; Scanlon, Mary Gay; Scott, Robert; Smith, Adam; Sorensen, Eric; Soto, Darren; Stansbury, Melanie; Stanton, Greg; Stevens, Haley; Strickland, Marilyn; Subramanyam, Suhas; Takano, Mark; Thanedar, Shri; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Titus, Dina; Tokuda, Jill; Torres, Ritchie; Trahan, Lori; Underwood, Lauren; Vargas, Juan; Velázquez, Nydia; Wasserman Schultz, Debbie; Waters, Maxine; and Williams, Nikema.

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Mr. Dodaro:

We write to request that the Government Accountability Office (GAO), with support from its Federal Budget, Grants, and Contracting and National Security Acquisitions teams, among others, establish an accessible database to systematically track disbursement of funds appropriated through the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). The Trump Administration’s disruptive January 20, 2025 Executive Order 14154 sowed chaos and confusion across the country for Federal funding recipients, and the Administration’s subsequent actions, such as the clarifying guidance issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in memorandum M-25-11 on January 21, 2025, the notice of court order distributed by the Department of Justice on February 3, 2025, and many of the Administration’s subsequent actions have been insufficient to provide certainty for our constituents.

Many of the aforementioned executive actions have caused Federal agencies to halt the disbursement of funds for a wide range of energy and environmental programs, including initiatives that support clean energy deployment, grid modernization, electric vehicle infrastructure, and energy efficiency upgrades for low-income communities.

The freezing of IRA and IIJA funds has already had immediate and measurable consequences, jeopardizing national and state climate initiatives and harming communities that rely on this funding. Some real-world examples of the impact that the funding pause has had are:

  • School districts in Illinois that received $15 million in funding from the Department of Energy could not access funds to deploy zero-emission school buses that are integrated with on-site battery systems to help school buildings keep the lights on during power outages and improve air pollution.
  • States have been denied access to funding intended to help low-income communities install residential solar panels, reducing energy costs for vulnerable households. 
  • A Missouri school district has been blocked from accessing a $9.45 million Environmental Protection Agency grant intended to transition its school bus fleet to electric vehicles, a move that would reduce refueling costs and lower student exposure to harmful air emissions.
  • Grid modernization projects in Georgia are at risk, threatening regional energy reliability and increasing costs for ratepayers.

These are only a few examples of the widespread impact of this funding freeze. The lack of transparency around the executive order’s implementation has made it difficult for impacted communities, businesses, and state governments to plan effectively, creating unnecessary uncertainty, financial hardship, and disruption to critical infrastructure projects.

Federal courts have weighed in on this matter. On January 31 and February 3, 2025, two separate Federal court rulings found that the funding freeze raises constitutional concerns and issued temporary injunctions blocking any efforts to “pause, freeze, impede, block, cancel, or terminate” these appropriated funds. Despite these rulings, on February 10, 2025, a judge in Federal court found that the Trump administration had defied its order to release Federal grant money, directly disobeying a judicial mandate. Grant recipients have also reported continued difficulties with payments. In addition, Members of Congress have received little clarity on how Federal agencies are responding and whether funding is now flowing as required by law, with many agencies even preventing building access.

While there is anecdotal and journalistic evidence of these funding disruptions, no comprehensive, publicly accessible database currently exists to track these potential violations systematically. As Members of Congress, we cannot effectively serve our constituents if we cannot see the full extent of the problem. Without transparency, we lack the tools necessary to advocate for communities that depend on these funds. The currently available public reporting on awards and disbursements is insufficient and outdated, making it difficult for us to provide effective and timely information to our constituents – especially those who are most vulnerable and may be afraid to speak out. 

We urge the appropriate officers within the GAO to establish a publicly accessible database that tracks the status of IRA and IIJA funds, in particular a database that provides details on the awards, obligations, and disbursements of those funds. To the extent practicable, this database should also delineate any funds, awards, obligations, or disbursements affected by the aforementioned or similar Executive Orders and administrative actions. This database would help Congress effectively monitor the status of these historic investments and communicate with our constituents to better navigate a complicated and opaque budget execution process.

We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

Sincerely,

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Casten, Klobuchar, Johnson, Peters Introduce Bill to Combat Use of Dangerous Gun Modifications

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

March 17, 2025

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (D-IL-06) and Hank Johnson (D-GA-04), and Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Gary Peters (D-MI), introduced legislation to combat the increased use and proliferation of dangerous gun conversion devices. 

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act would help tackle the ongoing gun violence epidemic by requiring federal law enforcement to coordinate efforts to prevent the importation and trafficking of ‘auto-sears’—illegal gun modification devices that can convert semi-automatic weapons into fully-automatic weapons—and seize all profits that come from the illegal trafficking of these devices.

“Congress has an obligation to do everything we can to make our communities safer from gun violence,” said Rep. Casten. “This epidemic needs to be addressed head-on and that includes the proliferation of illegal gun conversion. Devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to be easily converted into fully automatic weapons should not be readily accessible. I’m proud to introduce this bill with Rep. Johnson, Sen. Klobuchar, and Sen. Peters to prevent the importation and trafficking of these dangerous modifications.”

“We must address the alarming prevalence of gun conversion devices that can turn ordinary hand guns into automatic weapons. These devices that can be easily 3-D printed or cheaply purchased online have devastating consequences for public safety,” said Sen. Klobuchar. “By preventing the importation and trafficking of these deadly devices and by stopping traffickers from profiting from illegal sales, this legislation will help keep our communities safe and save lives.”

“Law enforcement must do more to protect our communities from gun violence by stopping the flow of illegal gun modification devices into and throughout our country,” said Sen. Peters. “This bill will enhance coordination across law enforcement agencies to prevent these dangerous and deadly devices from being used.”

“Auto-sears and other gun conversion devices are making the gun violence epidemic in the U.S. that much worse,” said Rep. Johnson. “The dramatic rise in the use of conversion devices and 3-D printed guns in crimes must be addressed. The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act will give law enforcement the tools they need to crack down on and confiscate these dangerous devices. We in Congress must do what we can to keep our communities safe, and this bill helps us address this growing menace.”

“Auto sears and other machine gun conversion devices make deadly weapons more lethal,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director at GIFFORDS. “These illegal devices, which are increasingly recovered by law enforcement at crime scenes, pose an urgent public safety risk that Congress must address. Representative Casten’s bill helps to intercept these devices before they fall into the hands of those who wish to do harm, and drives attention to a developing issue for communities and law enforcement. We urge Congress to take action to help keep these dangerous weapons off the streets.”

“Conversion devices are an all too common means of illegally converting semiautomatic firearms into machine guns,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy at Brady: United Against Gun Violence. “Such firearms are being recovered by law enforcement at a staggering rate, with a nearly 570% increase between 2011 and 2021. Providing law enforcement with the resources to stem the flow of illegally trafficked machine gun conversion devices must be a top priority for Congress. The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act will help law enforcement agencies coordinate efforts to crack down on these dangerous, and illegal devices. Brady is proud to endorse this bill and thanks Rep. Casten for his dedication to protecting Americans and communities across the country from the proliferation of illegal machine guns.”

The Preventing Illegal Weapons Trafficking Act of 2025 would: 

  • Direct the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of the Treasury to develop a coordinated national strategy to prevent or intercept the importation and trafficking of automatic gun conversion devices;
  • Ensure that proceeds from the illegal trafficking of automatic gun devices are subject to forfeiture; and 
  • Require that the Attorney General include data and information about illegal gun modification devices in the Justice Department’s annual firearms trafficking report.

Auto-sears and other gun conversion devices can be installed in about a minute, and 3-D printed or purchased online for less than $20. A 2022 investigation by The Trace and VICE News found that federal prosecutions involving gun conversion devices have increased over eight-fold from 2017-2021. Additionally, the investigation reported that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) seized 1,500 weapons modified with auto sears in 2021, a five-fold increase from the year before.

This bill has been endorsed by GIFFORDS and Brady: United Against Gun Violence.

Text of the legislation can be found here.

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Casten, Foushee Lead 100 Members in Letter to EPA Administrator Opposing Proposed Cuts to EPA

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

March 13, 2025

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Sean Casten (IL-06) and Valerie Foushee (NC-04) led 100 House Democrats in a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin opposing the drastic proposed cuts to staffing and funding at the agency, and called for an immediate reversal of any planned cuts at the EPA. 

“The EPA is not just a regulatory body; it is a frontline defender of public health, environmental safety, and economic stability,” wrote the lawmakers. “Gutting the agency through drastic budget cuts would cripple its ability to respond to emerging threats, dismantle decades of scientific progress, and put millions of lives at risk. At a time when climate change and pollution are intensifying, weakening the EPA by cutting its budget and firing its invaluable civil servants is not just irresponsible. It is a direct threat to the well-being of every American.” 

The proposed 65% cut would undermine the agency’s ability to protect the public health of all Americans through research, regulation, education, and enforcement. Any large-scale cuts would also exacerbate staffing issues, dissuade future potential civil servants from joining the agency, and severely impact the agency’s vital work in safeguarding public health and the environment. 

“In addition to the damage proposed cuts would have on Americans, the current uncertainty and instability poses a direct threat to the integrity of the scientific community, which could reverberate for years to come,” continued the lawmakers. “Slashing the EPA’s funding would cripple its ability to provide essential protections, drive innovations in environmental science, and respond to emerging threats. Beyond the immediate damage, this instability discourages top scientists and experts from joining or remaining at the agency, jeopardizing its ability to safeguard public health and the environment for future generations.” 

The letter was signed by 102 lawmakers, including Reps. Alma Adams (NC-12), Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Becca Balint (VT-At Large), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Shontel Brown (OH-11), Nikki Budzinski (IL-13), André Carson (IN-07), Ed Case (HI-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Gerald Connolly (VA-11), Jason Crow (CO-06), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Shomari Figures (AL-02), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Bill Foster (IL-11), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Raúl Grijalva (AZ-07), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Greg Landsman (OH-01), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Mike Levin (CA-49), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Lucy McBath (GA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-At Large), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Jim McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Robert Menendez (NJ-08), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Joe Neguse (CO-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Scott Peters (CA-50), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Adam Smith (WA-09), Eric Sorensen (IL-17), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), George Whitesides (CA-27), Nikema Williams (GA-05), and Frederica Wilson (FL-24). 

A copy of the letter can be found here. Text of the letter can be found below.

Dear Administrator Zeldin: 

We are writing to demand clarification on your intended budget and personnel reductions at the Environmental Protection Agency. We collectively represent thousands of the over 15,000 civil servants across the country currently employed at the Environmental Protection Agency, and millions of constituents who rely on the EPA to ensure their water is safe to drink, their air is safe to breathe, and their health is protected. We are outraged at the credible reports suggesting that you and the President have discussed cutting up to 65% of spending at the EPA. This comes after the President said during a February 26th cabinet meeting, “He thinks he’s going to be cutting 65% or so percent of people from Environmental” and had to be corrected by a White House official. This anecdote is another example of the chaotic and unorganized nature of this Administration, and is leaving our civil servants, constituents, and environmental protections in a state of disarray.  

The EPA is not just a regulatory body; it is a frontline defender of public health, environmental safety, and economic stability. Its science-driven programs ensure that the water we drink is free from harmful contaminants like PFAS and lead, that the air we breathe is not laced with toxic pollutants, and that hazardous chemicals are controlled before they endanger human health. The EPA holds polluters accountable, cleans up toxic waste left by negligent actors, and safeguards our food from dangerous pesticides. Every community, from urban to rural, industrial to agricultural, depends on the EPA’s expertise to prevent environmental crises before they spiral into public health disasters. Gutting the agency through drastic budget cuts would cripple its ability to respond to emerging threats, dismantle decades of scientific progress, and put millions of lives at risk. At a time when climate change and pollution are intensifying, weakening the EPA by cutting its budget and firing its invaluable civil servants is not just irresponsible. It is a direct threat to the well-being of every American. The value of the work conducted by the civil servants at EPA cannot be overstated, and Americans agree. Recent polling found that 86% of voters oppose attempts to weaken the EPA, including 76% of Trump voters. Significant cuts to this vital agency are in direct opposition to what this country wants. 

In addition to the damage proposed cuts would have on Americans, the current uncertainty and instability poses a direct threat to the integrity of the scientific community, which could reverberate for years to come. Slashing the EPA’s funding would cripple its ability to provide essential protections, drive innovations in environmental science, and respond to emerging threats. Beyond the immediate damage, this instability discourages top scientists and experts from joining or remaining at the agency, jeopardizing its ability to safeguard public health and the environment for future generations. 

We strongly urge you to faithfully fulfill your duties as Administrator and uphold the mission of the Environmental Protection Agency to protect human health and the environment by maintaining funding and personnel levels at your agency, thereby enabling the EPA to continue its vital work in safeguarding public health and the environment. 

Consequently, we respectfully request responses to the following questions clarifying your plans by March 26, 2025: 

  1. Does the Administration plan to reduce EPA funding or staffing by 65%, as has been reported?  
  2. If significant funding or staffing cuts are intended, which specific programs, projects, and offices within the agency will be affected by these cuts, and what criteria will be employed to make that determination? 
  3. How many EPA employees across the country are expected to be fired as a result of these proposed cuts, and what criteria will be used to determine which individuals lose their jobs? 
  4. What EPA functions are expected to be disrupted due to these budget cuts? Can you guarantee that the disruptions caused by cuts to the EPA budget will not compromise drinking water quality, air quality, or public health? 
  5. Has EPA conducted a risk assessment to evaluate the short- and long-term risks to the environment, human health, and the economy that would result from these proposed cuts? 
  6. What is the expected timeline for implementing these budgetary and staffing cuts? 

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter, and we look forward to your response. 

Sincerely, 

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Congressman Aderholt Meets with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to Discuss Agency Priorities and FY26 Budget

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Chairman of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, released the following statement after attending a breakfast meeting with Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.:

“I appreciated the opportunity to join Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. for breakfast this morning at the HHS Headquarters. It was a productive conversation and a valuable chance for the Secretary to hear directly from Congressional leaders on healthcare about our priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.

“As we begin work on the FY26 budget, I look forward to collaborating with Secretary Kennedy and these other Congressional leaders to ensure that federal health programs are effective, fiscally responsible, and truly serve the needs of the American people. I welcomed his stated commitment to finding common ground and his vision to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’ Our Committee stands ready to work with him on areas where our goals align, and to have honest conversations where they do not; an approach he has welcomed.

“This introductory meeting was a positive first step, and I remain hopeful for a constructive working relationship moving forward.”

The breakfast was held at the invitation of Secretary Kennedy as an opportunity to hear from congressional committee chairs and identify potential areas for collaboration under his leadership of the Department of Health and Human Services.

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TWO NORTH ALABAMA STUDENTS ACCEPTED TO U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY WITH CONGRESSMAN ADERHOLT’S NOMINATION

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) is proud to announce that two of his nominations to the United States Naval Academy have been accepted for the Class of 2029.

Natalie McCabe, of Tuscumbia, has received and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Natalie is a student at Muscle Shoals High School and is the daughter of Trip and Jill McCabe.

Caleb Price, of Florence, has also received and accepted an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy. Caleb is a student at Florence High School and is the son of BJ and Elaine Price.

“I am incredibly proud of Natalie and Caleb for earning appointments to one of our nation’s most prestigious service academies,” said Congressman Aderholt. “Their academic achievements, leadership, and commitment to service make them excellent representatives of Alabama’s Fourth District. I have no doubt they will go on to serve our country with honor and distinction.”

Each year, Congressman Aderholt nominates a number of outstanding young men and women from the Fourth Congressional District for appointment to the U.S. military service academies. These nominations are based on academic performance, extracurricular involvement, character, and a strong desire to serve our nation.

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Congressman Robert Aderholt Co-Sponsors Legislation to Expel Chinese Police Operatives from the U.S.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. — Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) today announced his support as an original cosponsor of legislation introduced by Representatives Ashley Hinson (IA-02) and Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) aimed at expelling illegal Chinese Communist Party (CCP) police outposts operating within the United States. This bill is a direct response to alarming reports that China has been running secret police stations on American soil, intimidating and harassing dissidents and critics of the Chinese government.

“This legislation is critical to protecting American sovereignty and ensuring the safety of those who have fled the oppression of the Chinese Communist Party,” said Congressman Aderholt. “The presence of these illegal police outposts is not only an egregious violation of our laws but also a blatant attempt by the CCP to extend its authoritarian reach beyond its borders. The United States must act swiftly to shut them down and expel any foreign operatives engaging in such activities.”

The bill, introduced by Rep. Hinson and Sen. Cotton, seeks to give law enforcement the necessary tools to identify, investigate, and expel Chinese police operatives acting outside of official diplomatic channels. The legislation would also impose penalties on individuals and entities found to be facilitating these covert operations.

Reports from human rights organizations and intelligence agencies have confirmed the existence of these unauthorized CCP-linked police stations in multiple countries, including the United States. Their primary function appears to be monitoring and intimidating members of the Chinese diaspora, particularly those who speak out against the Chinese government.

“The United States must remain vigilant against foreign interference in our communities,” Aderholt continued. “I am proud to stand with my colleagues in supporting this crucial bill, and I urge swift congressional action to ensure our laws are enforced and our citizens are protected.”

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Congressman Robert Aderholt and Bipartisan Colleagues Urge Trump Administration to Address China’s Suspension of Intercountry Adoption Program

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL), co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Coalition on Adoption, today joined a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives in calling on the Trump Administration to engage with the People’s Republic of China to resolve the suspension of its intercountry adoption program, which has left numerous American families and children in uncertainty.

In August 2024, China abruptly halted its intercountry adoption program, a decision that has profoundly affected many U.S. families awaiting the arrival of their adopted children. Many of these children have special health care needs, and some are nearing the age at which they will no longer be eligible for adoption, underscoring the urgency of this matter.

“The sudden termination of China’s adoption program has left many children and American families in a state of uncertainty and distress,” said Congressman Aderholt. “As co-chair of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption, I am deeply concerned about the well-being of these children and the emotional toll on families who have been waiting to welcome them into their homes.”

Congressman Aderholt, along with a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives, has sent a letter to the Trump Administration, urging it to prioritize this issue in diplomatic engagements with China. The letter emphasizes the need to finalize pending adoption cases to ensure that these children can be united with their adoptive families in the United States.

“We request that the Administration act in the best interest of these children and engage the Chinese government to finalize these pending adoption cases,” the letter states. “Many of these children have special health care needs, and some will soon age out of care systems without the support of a permanent family.”

The letter was co-signed by a bipartisan group of Senators and Representatives, including:

  • Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
  • Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND)
  • Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
  • Representative Danny Davis (D-IL)
  • Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI)
  • Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN)
  • Senator Katie Britt (R-AL)
  • Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA)
  • Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
  • Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
  • Senator Susan Collins (R-ME)
  • Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX)
  • Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL)
  • Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)
  • Senator John Fetterman (D-PA)
  • Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
  • Senator John Hoeven (R-ND)
  • Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI)
  • Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA)
  • Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
  • Senator Angus King (I-ME)
  • Senator James Lankford (R-OK)
  • Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-NM)
  • Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY)
  • Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
  • Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)
  • Senator Patty Murray (D-WA)
  • Senator Alex Padilla (D-CA)
  • Senator Rand Paul (R-KY)
  • Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD)
  • Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO)
  • Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH)
  • Senator Tina Smith (D-MN)
  • Senator Dan Sullivan (R-AK)
  • Senator John Thune (R-SD)
  • Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC)
  • Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
  • Senator Mark Warner (D-VA)
  • Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
  • Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS)
  • Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR)
  • Senator Todd Young (R-IN)
  • Representative Brian Babin (R-TX)
  • Representative Don Bacon (R-NE)
  • Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ)
  • Representative Vern Buchanan (R-FL)
  • Representative Tim Burchett (R-TN)
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Congressman Aderholt Reintroduces the Deliver for Democracy Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Washington, D.C. –Congressman Robert B. Aderholt (R-AL) and Congressman Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) announced today the reintroduction of the Deliver for Democracy Act in the 119th Congress. This bipartisan legislation seeks to improve the efficiency and reliability of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS), particularly in the delivery of periodicals and newspapers, ensuring that Americans have timely access to critical news and information.

Congressman Aderholt emphasized the urgency of addressing USPS inefficiencies:

“For far too long, we’ve seen the United States Postal Service struggle to meet the expectations of the American people, particularly in delivering newspapers and periodicals in a timely manner,” said Congressman Aderholt. “As information moves faster than ever in today’s world, it is unacceptable that our postal system is falling behind. This legislation is about holding USPS accountable and ensuring they prioritize timely, reliable delivery. The Postal Service has been a backbone of communication in our country since before the founding of our nation, and we must take action to restore the level of service Americans expect and deserve. I am pleased to partner with Congressman Cleaver on this effort, and I look forward to working with my colleagues in Congress to see this bill become law.”

“Local news is the lifeblood of a thriving democracy, ensuring that Americans are well-informed about the current events consuming their communities,” said Congressman Cleaver. “Unfortunately, as Postmaster General DeJoy’s Delivering for America Plan has led to constant delivery delays and unreliable service, I’ve heard from many constituents that have struggled to receive their periodicals on time. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Deliver for Democracy Act to address these challenges and ensure our local news is being delivered on time, as expected.”  

The Deliver for Democracy Act will accomplish three key objectives:

  1. require the USPS to either achieve at least a 95% on-time delivery rate for periodicals (as highlighted in their own plan) or an improvement of at least 2 percentage points to use its 2% surcharge authority for that class of mail;
  2. require USPS to annually report to the Postal Regulatory Commission on its progress, including on-time delivery data for newspapers in its periodical service performance measurement; and
  3. instruct the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study and submit a report to Congress on options for alternate USPS pricing schemes to improve the cost margins with periodicals.

The following members of Congress have cosponsored this legislation: Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr. (D-GA), Donald Davis (D-NC), Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-FL), Claudia Tenney (R-NY), Angie Craig (D-MN), Joe Wilson (R-SC), Buddy Carter (R-GA), Tom Cole (R-OK), Jim Costa (D-CA), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL)

President Trump has also recently expressed his frustrations with the performance of the U.S. Postal Service and has proposed making other reforms to improve operations.

The Deliver for Democracy Act is also supported by the National Newspaper Association and the News Media Alliance.

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