MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington D.C. (February 21, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after reintroducing the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act in the 119^th Congress.

“The SEC’s collection of personal financial information through the Consolidated Audit Trail is unconstitutional and entirely unnecessary; and it exposes American investors to serious cybersecurity risks from foreign adversaries and criminal hackers. This is why I developed the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act in the House. The bill would effectively eliminate the potential for both accidental and intentional breaches by restricting the SEC’s automatic collection of investors’ PII. Among its provisions, the SEC will only be permitted to request this data in cases directly tied to investigating or enforcing violations of federal securities law. I appreciate Senator John Kennedy for introducing the Senate companion to this important bill.”

Rep. Ann Wagner (MO-2) said, “While I welcomed the SEC’s recent decision to exempt the reporting of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) in the Consolidated Audit Trail, Congress must go even further. We must make this protection permanent and ensure the privacy of our fellow Americans. No one should be forced to endanger their personal information just to invest and save for their family’s future, and this legislation will give greater confidence to Main Street investors.”

Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) introduced the U.S. Senate companion bill, S. 658.

“Americans assume their private information is secure when they invest money in the U.S. stock market. However, the SEC’s unlawful Consolidated Audit Trail could put their data in jeopardy. My bill would protect American investors from foreign enemies and bad actors by preventing the SEC from collecting personal information it doesn’t need and storing it on a dangerous database,” said Senator John Kennedy (R-LA).

“The SEC’s national registry makes every American investor and retirement saver’s personal and financial information an easy target for Russian and Chinese hackers,” said American Securities Association President & CEO Chris Iacovella. “We thank Congressman Loudermilk for his leadership and for standing up to protect America’s mom-and-pop investors and removing the personal and financial information of American investors from the SEC’s Consolidated Audit Trail.”

“SIFMA applauds Congressman Loudermilk and Senator Kennedy for re-introducing the Protecting Investors’ Personally Identifiable Information Act. Consistent with the recent exemption provided by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), this important legislation would protect investors’ PII from being reported to the Consolidated Audit Trail (CAT), which is the largest database of retail and institutional trading ever created and is a ripe target for cyber criminals. For a decade, SIFMA has consistently provided alternatives to collecting such data that still address the SEC’s enforcement concerns. We commend this bicameral effort to codify the SEC’s recent exemption from the requirement to report certain PII to the CAT, and we look forward to working with Congress to enact this critical bill and ensure investors’ PII is protected,” said Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association President and CEO Kenneth E. Bentsen, Jr.

Click here for a one-page summary, and here for the full House bill text of the Personally Identifiable Information Act.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington D.C. (February 20, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement applauding U.S. Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT) for introducing companion legislation in the U.S. Senate to the Modern Employment, Improvement, and Transformation (MERIT) Act, to hold inefficient, corrupt government bureaucrats accountable.

Rep. Loudermilk introduced the U.S. House version of the MERIT Act, H.R. 687, on January 23, 2025.

“Americans are tired of funding the fraud, waste, and abuse within our bloated federal government bureaucracy. With the passage of the MERIT Act, Americans will have a government they can be proud of again, not one they fear and distrust. We will return our government to one that works for the people, not one that works for self-interests or political agendas. The reforming of the federal government must begin with a dedicated, efficient, and committed workforce, which is why the MERIT Act is an essential step in fixing our broken system and creating a more effective government workforce that truly serves the American people. Prioritizing transparency and accountability are essential to maintaining the integrity of our federal government and protecting hard-earned taxpayer dollars. I commend Senator Tim Sheehy for introducing the Senate counterpart to this important bill and for his leadership in this effort,” said Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11).

“It’s well past time for the federal government to stop operating like a runaway train to nowhere and hold itself to the same standards that millions of hardworking Americans in the private sector hold themselves to every day. This legislation is an important step toward bringing an end to bloated bureaucracy and restoring common sense and accountability in the federal government. The American people voted for serious reform in November, and I’m proud to lead this effort in the Senate to deliver on that mandate,” said Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT).

MERIT ACT Summary:

• Addressing misconduct and poor performance: The MERIT Act repeals the Chapter 43 special process for action against poor performers and bad actors, which is unnecessarily time-consuming, and streamlines the Chapter 75 process for removal or suspension of employees and supervisors.
• Poor Performing Senior Executives: The MERIT Act permits agencies to remove a senior executive from the civil service for performance reasons, rather than merely demoting the individual to a non-Senior Executive Service (SES) position.
• Recoupment of bonuses and awards: The MERIT Act authorizes agencies to order recoupment of bonuses and awards when performance or conduct issues are discovered and it is determined the bonus or award would not have been paid had these issues been known at the time.
• Felonious service: The MERIT Act affects the retirement benefits of employees who are removed based on a felony conviction for actions taken in furtherance of official duties. The period of service during which the felonious activities occurred will be eliminated for purposes of any annuity computation.

Senators Kevin Cramer (R-ND) and Cindy Hyde Smith (R-MS) joined Senator Sheehy in introducing the MERIT Act in the U.S. Senate.

Reps. Buddy Carter (GA-1), Erin Houchin (IN-9), Rick Crawford (AR-1), Burgess Owens (UT-4), Mike Collins (GA-10), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Dan Webster (FL-11), Tracy Mann (KS-1), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Dan Meuser (PA-9), Brian Babin (TX-36), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Jim Baird (IN-4), Greg Steube (FL-17), Tim Burchett (TN-2), Randy Weber (TX-14), and Eli Crane (AZ-2) joined Rep. Barry Loudermilk in supporting the U.S. House version of the MERIT Act.

Click here for a one-page summary, here for the full House bill text, and here for the full Senate bill text of the Modern Employment Reform, Improvement, and Transformation (MERIT) Act.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington D.C. (February 6, 2025) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after he reintroduced the Respect State Housing Laws Act in the 119^th Congress.

“Hidden in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a temporary provision that requires landlords to provide tenants with thirty days’ notice before a landlord can begin an eviction proceeding. This federal regulation was supposed to be a one-time grace period when the eviction moratorium ended; but a drafting error caused the 30-day notice requirement to remain in place permanently. This overrides state eviction notice laws, which are on average, eight days.

“This federal overreach in the eviction process has caused immeasurable suffering for veterans, retirees, and families who depend on rental income to make ends meet. That is why my Respect State Housing Laws Act is a critical step in easing that burden by simply removing the federal government from the equation, and returning housing policies back to the states, where they should be – and were for decades before the pandemic. It’s time we let this unnecessary provision expire.”

Rep. Loudermilk first introduced the Respect State Housing Laws Act during the 117^th Congress.

“During the pandemic, Congress took various temporary measures to ensure Americans were not left to fend for themselves in the face of so much uncertainty,” said Rep. Tracey Mann (KS-01). “Emergency measures taken during the pandemic were always meant to be temporary, not permanent. Our bill helps give property owners the clarity and tools they need to deal with bad intentioned tenants who have taken advantage of this flaw in federal law. I’m proud to support this legislation that returns notice to vacate jurisdiction back to the states where it belongs.”

“Unnecessary and duplicative federal intrusion into complex state and local law amplifies the financial and operational challenges housing providers across our country continue to face. With 93 cents of each rent dollar paying the bills that keep rental housing operational, prolonged disturbances to standard operating procedures have major implications. On behalf of the nation’s rental housing providers, the National Apartment Association (NAA) thanks Representatives Vicente Gonzalez and Barry Loudermilk and Senators Bill Hagerty and Cindy Hyde-Smith for recognizing this adverse impact and reintroducing the Respect State Housing Laws Act to help restore balance and normalcy to rental housing operations,” said Robert Pinnegar, President and Chief Executive Officer, National Apartment Association.

“For professional housing providers, eviction is always a last resort. This legislation will help ensure that providers can continue to provide stable, affordable housing options for American families. We thank Representative Loudermilk for his leadership on this issue and for his introduction of the ‘Respect State Housing Laws Act’,” said Gail Phillips, Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Residential Property Managers.

“Throughout the pandemic and its aftermath, housing providers and their residents have navigated immense challenges that are only worsened by federal intervention. The legal process for addressing lease violations and non-payment of rent is well established at the state and local levels. Evictions are detrimental to both housing providers and residents. Federal oversight causes confusion that ultimately harms residents and housing providers alike and limits housing affordability and availability,” said Sharon Wilson Géno, President, National Multifamily Housing Council.

Original co-sponsors include Reps. Vincente Gonzalez (TX-34), John Rutherford (FL-5), Andy Barr (KY-06), William Timmons (SC-04), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Andrew Clyde (GA-09), David Kustoff (TN-08), Richard Hudson (NC-09), Andy Ogles (TN-05), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Glenn Grothman (WI-6), Morgan Luttrell (TX-08), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Steve Womack (AR-3), and Pete Stauber (MN-08).

Click here for the full bill text of the Respect State Housing Laws Act.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) led a letter with Reps. Mike Quigley (IL-05), Shontel Brown (OH-11), and 21 other Members of Congress urging the Trump administration to reverse its recent announcement to shut down six regional offices in the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Office of General Counsel. The Region V Office, which would be closed, serves Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

The Office of General Counsel protects patients from fraud and bad actors, and in Fiscal Year 2023, the Office returned more than $3.4 billion to the federal government and individuals from civil health care fraud settlements and judgments.

“The planned shutdown of more than half of the regional offices would leave only four offices to serve a country of over 330 million people and directly undermine HHS’s capacity to improve America’s health and effectively safeguard taxpayer dollars,” members wrote in the letter. “In addition to being a shortsighted effort that will severely hinder HHS’s ability to fulfill its mission, the planned office closures stand in direct opposition to the Trump Administration’s purported focus on combatting ‘waste, fraud, and abuse.’

“We therefore urge you to reconsider this plan to shutter vital regional offices, including the Region V office in Chicago, and instead work towards ensuring all offices remain fully operational and adequately resourced to do their jobs,” members continued in the letter. “The American people deserve better than this. If you are truly committed to improving the efficiency of our health care system, making America healthy, and rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse, we hope you will prioritize the enforcement of our nation’s health laws and the standards that help ensure the safety and dignity of our nation’s most vulnerable.”

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned House Republicans’ $880 billion budget cut to Medicaid alongside U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), U.S. Rep. Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), healthcare providers and community members at Roseland Community Hospital (RCH).

Cuts to Medicaid would force RCH to consider layoffs, service line cuts and even closure. Many of the hospital’s patients also rely on Medicaid, similar to over 300,000 people in Illinois’ Second District.

“House Republicans are willing to exchange people’s healthcare for a $4.5 trillion-dollar tax break. They are betraying their own constituents and Americans across the country – all because Donald Trump wants more money for Elon Musk and his billionaire friends,” said Rep. Kelly. “In the coming weeks and months, they will try to slash Medicaid, and we need to be prepared to push back and show them the American people are not behind them.”

Rep. Kelly also invited two community members, including a Medical Assistant at RCH, to speak on the potential impact of Medicaid cuts to themselves and their own families.

“We need real solutions, not cuts that leave families without options and put people’s health at risk,” said Ikeya Johnson, Medical Assistant at RCH. “Medicaid is a lifeline, and it must be protected.”

“Medicaid has proven to be a very important resource needed to help keep me and my loved ones alive,” said Diane Latiker, who is covered by Medicaid.

“More than three million Illinoisans rely on Medicaid for life-saving medical treatment,” said Senator Durbin. “Efforts by Republicans in Congress to gut Medicaid to pay for tax breaks for billionaires hurts children, seniors, pregnant women, people with disabilities, and families just trying to get by—and puts hospitals at risk of closure. I will continue working alongside Representatives Kelly and Jackson to defend Medicaid, and I hope Republicans in Congress find the courage to listen to us and abandon this harmful plan.”

“Medicaid is a lifeline for over 3.4 million Illinois residents, including over half of our state’s children. In my district alone, 268,901 of my constituents are enrolled in Medicaid,” said Rep. Jackson. “They cannot afford to lose their healthcare. As a Medicaid expansion state, Illinois has made critical investments in healthcare access, ensuring that families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities receive the care they need. Cutting Medicaid funding would have devastating consequences, forcing hospitals to consider layoffs and service reductions, jeopardizing care for those who need it most.”

“The closure of HHS Regional Offices combined with these massive Medicaid cuts represents not just a policy change, but a dangerous abandonment of our most vulnerable communities and the healthcare infrastructure they depend on,” said Michael Cabonargi, former Regional Director of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “As someone who witnessed firsthand how these regional connections save lives during public health crises, I can assure you that dismantling this system while slashing Medicaid will create healthcare deserts in communities that can least afford to lose access to care.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after the U.S. Senate passed the Republican funding bill:

“We are in unprecedented times. Republicans in Congress just handed President Donald Trump spending power on a silver platter. While House Democrats were united in voting no, I’m extremely disappointed with my colleagues in the U.S. Senate who decided not to stop the Republican funding bill and for not offering the American people another option. Trump will gleefully sign the partisan spending bill, which has no guardrails, checks and balances, or protections for the American people. Trump and Elon Musk will move full speed ahead with their agenda that jeopardizes Social Security, takes away healthcare, and slashes veterans’ benefits. They will divert funds to enrich their friends, while doing nothing to lower the costs of living for families just trying to make ends meet.”

Rep. Kelly voted no on the partisan funding bill Tuesday.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Robin Kelly (IL-02) and Maxwell Frost (FL-10) led a letter with 67 of their colleagues to President Donald Trump demanding that he reopen the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention (WHOGVP). President Trump abruptly closed the Office less than 24 hours into his second term.

“The efforts of WHOGVP focused on fighting the root causes of gun violence and responding to emergencies,” members wrote in the letter. “We understand that your administration has reservations about firearm regulation; however, WHOGVP was primarily focused on addressing causes of gun violence unrelated to firearm ownership. If you decide to reopen WHOGVP, the focus can remain on emergency response and community violence intervention programs that complement law enforcement’s efforts to reduce and prevent violence in communities. 

“Gun violence remains a significant concern in our nation, with more than 300 Americans being shot every day. The elimination of this office threatens to reverse the progress we have made in reducing gun-related incidents and undermines the safety of our communities.”

Gun homicides rose by 34% under Trump’s first administration. Reps. Kelly and Frost also held a press conference yesterday with community violence intervention leaders to defend gun safety policies and funding.

Read the full letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Kelly held a press conference with CVI leaders, Reps. Frost, Horsford

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

Crescent Springs, KY- Representative Thomas Massie announces that he will host his annual “Academy Day” event on Saturday, April 26th at the Marriott Cincinnati Airport in Hebron, KY. On “Academy Day” interested students of all ages and their parents have the chance to meet with Service Academy representatives to learn more about the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Merchant Marine Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy, known collectively as the U.S. Service Academies. More information about the program, including answers to “Frequently Asked Questions,” can be found at this link. 
 
By attending a U.S. Service Academy, young men and women have the opportunity to serve their country while improving all facets of their character through a rigorous scholastic curriculum and a disciplined moral and physical regimen. Competition for admission to a Service Academy is high, and nominees are chosen based on several factors including character, leadership, academic excellence, physical aptitude, and extracurricular activities.

Any high school student who is interested in learning more about attending a U.S. Service Academy is encouraged to attend “Academy Day” and should RSVP at this link.

 
CONGRESSMAN MASSIE’S ANNUAL U.S. SERVICE ACADEMY DAY

Date:        Saturday, April 26, 2025

Time:       Registration 10:00 AM -11:00 AM
                 Program 11:00 AM -12:30 PM

Where:    Marriott Cincinnati Airport
                 2395 Progress Drive
                 Hebron, KY 41048
 
For more information, please contact Representative Massie’s Northern Kentucky District Office by calling 859-426-0080.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Thomas Massie (4th District of Kentucky)

For Immediate Release
Contact: massie.press@mail.house.gov
Contact #: 202-225-3465

WASHINGTON, D.C.- Representative Thomas Massie (R-KY) announces the introduction of H.R. 1846, the Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act. Rep. Massie’s legislation abolishes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve and the Federal Reserve banks. It also repeals the Federal Reserve Act, the 1913 law that created the Federal Reserve System. Senator Mike Lee (R-UT) leads the companion bill in the United States Senate, S. 869.

“Americans have suffered under crippling inflation, and the Federal Reserve is to blame,” said Rep. Massie. “During COVID, the Federal Reserve created trillions of dollars out of thin air and loaned it to the Treasury Department to enable unprecedented deficit spending. By monetizing the debt, the Federal Reserve devalued the dollar and enabled free money policies that caused high inflation.”

“Monetizing debt is a closely coordinated effort between the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, Congress, Big Banks, and Wall Street,” Rep. Massie continued. “Through this process, retirees see their savings evaporate due to the actions of a central bank pursuing inflationary policies that benefit the wealthy and connected. If we really want to reduce inflation, the most effective policy is to end the Federal Reserve.”

“The Federal Reserve has not only failed to achieve its mandate, it has become an economic manipulator, directly contributing to the financial instability many Americans face today,” said Sen. Lee. “We need to protect our economic future, end the monetization of federal debt that fuels unchecked federal spending, and put American money on solid ground. We need to End the Fed.”

The text of Rep. Massie’s H.R. 1846 is available at this link.

Original cosponsors of Rep. Massie’s legislation include Rep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), Rep. Eric Burlison (R-MO), Rep. Kat Cammack (R-FL), Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX), Rep. Eli Crane (R-AZ), Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY), Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA), Rep. Chip Roy (R-TX). 

The Federal Reserve Board Abolition Act was first introduced by former Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in 1999 and hasn’t been reintroduced since 2013.

In addition to introducing this legislation to “End the Fed,” Rep. Massie has also introduced H.R. 24, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2025 to audit the Federal Reserve. H.R. 24 was originally introduced by former Representative Ron Paul (R-TX) in 2009.

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