MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) issued the following statement after the House passed a package of three funding bills for Fiscal Year 2026—The Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. Included in the language of these bills were six of Rep. Peters’ Community Project Funding (CPF) requests. The package, including CPF requests, is subject to change as the legislation moves to the Senate.

“This package reflects the priorities my constituents, and hardworking Americans, want to see Congress address: lowering energy costs, strengthening public safety, investing in clean energy and science, and upgrading critical water infrastructure,” Rep. Peters said. “It also holds the Trump Administration accountable by reasserting Congress’s power of the purse and taking steps to end their slash-and-burn approach, ensuring no one is above the law. I hope the Senate gets this bill over the finish line without delay so we can deliver real results for San Diego and communities across the country.”

Highlights of the package include:

• Addresses high electricity costs by investing $375 million in our electric grid, which Rep. Peters helped secure, tackling a major point of rising electricity costs and strengthening reliability.
• Supports $1.8 billion in clean, affordable, and secure energy programs to lower energy bills, including nuclear energy activities—a bipartisan effort led by Rep. Peters to strengthen America’s nuclear energy sector.
• Curtails the reckless abuses of the Trump Administration by restricting efforts to dismantle entire agencies without Congressional authorization, blocking wasteful spending on useless vanity projects, and diminishing the Administration’s ability to wipeout Congressionally approved spending.
• Supports federal programs to support a wide range of criminal justice program areas, ensuring cities like San Diego have the tools to strengthen public safety, expand mental health crisis intervention programs, and invest in prevention efforts that keep our neighborhoods safe.
• Repudiates the Trump Administration’s anti-science agenda by providing strong funding for scientific and technological research. Rep. Peters led a bipartisan effort to secure $58 million for NASA’s Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, supporting STEM education and research through a network of colleges and universities, including the University of California, San Diego.
• Invests $2.8 billion in our nation’s water infrastructure, including drinking water, wastewater, and storm water management projects in San Diego, and across the country.

Also included in the package were six Community Project Funding requests led by Rep. Peters for FY 2026 funding, totaling more than $6.3 million.

“These investments will help prepare San Diego for the future, from safer water to stronger infrastructure to more opportunities for students to gain the skills that power our local economy,” Rep. Peters continued. “I’m proud to deliver targeted federal funding that improves the quality of life for my constituents and delivers real, tangible benefits for San Diegans.”

Community Project Funding requests made by Rep. Peters include:

• San Diego City College CyberLab — $1,031,000
  This funding would be used for modern computers, high-end laptops, and cyber range access to support students in the Cyber Defense and Analysis programs. It will address a critical gap in national security by preparing students to enter the cybersecurity workforce and counter evolving cyber threats.
• Coastal Ocean Pathogen Pollution Forecast Model — $1,031,000
  This funding would be used to develop, deploy, and maintain real-time monitoring stations of oceanographic conditions within the Tijuana estuary. It will help better manage beach contamination events, which in turn will minimize public health risks and economic damage.
• Engineering and Computer Science Capacity Building Project — $1,031,000
  This funding would be used to for laboratory and teaching equipment to expand California State University San Marcos’s systems, electrical, and computer engineering programs. This would address critical workforce needs, drive regional economic growth, and foster long-term societal benefits.
• City of Coronado Stormwater Mitigation Project — $1,092,000
  This funding would be used for the protection of surface and groundwater quality and assist with the minimization of pollutants entering waterways, preventing flooding during heavy rain events and enhance water quality.
• Pump Station Component D Upgrade — $1,092,000
  This funding would be used to increase the community’s drainage system’s capacity by providing electrical, structural, and mechanical improvements to the pump station. This is essential to mitigate flood risks, lower costs, and ensure the pump’s power reliability.
• Famosa Slough Alley Slope Restoration — $1,092,000
  This funding would be used for the construction phase of a storm drain infrastructure project to address severe erosion in an alleyway that floods during rain events, preventing further damage to nearby streets and residential neighborhoods.

Community Project Funding enables Members of Congress to advocate directly for local priorities, ensuring transparency and accountability. To see more about Rep. Peters’ FY26 requests, click here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

“By letting ACA tax credits expire on January 1st, President Trump and Congressional Republicans drove health care costs up overnight while offering no plan to stop insurance premiums from skyrocketing. Today’s vote shows immediate action to prevent the health care crisis is a priority for Democrats and even some Republicans.

“The Affordable Care Act is not perfect, and a three-year extension of these credits is not a fiscally sustainable solution on its own. But Republican health care policies caused so much chaos that we had to act immediately to address the premium increases millions of Americans are feeling right now.

“Combined with deep Medicaid cuts in the so-called ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ higher premiums are pushing patients to delay care, drop coverage, or go without health care altogether. If Congress fails to act, millions of Americans will lose their health care and get sicker. We cannot afford to wait until things get even worse.

“This step is especially important for San Diego. Nearly 150,000 San Diegans relied on the ACA tax credits to afford coverage, and more than 125,000 are already seeing their health care costs surge, including 28,000 people in CA-50 alone. If Republicans continue to block action, tens of thousands of San Diegans will lose their health care coverage – and I’m doing everything I can in Congress to prevent this from happening.

“While I have concerns about this resolution, it’s the strongest step forward right now to provide immediate relief to millions of Americans, and I’m willing to work with anyone, Republican or Democrat, who has a comprehensive solution.

“In the meantime, this was an important step to move the conversation to the Senate and keep pressure on Republicans to stop obstructing and start working with us on real health care reforms.”

 ###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representative Scott Peters (CA-50) issued the following statement after President Trump’s announcement that the U.S. conducted a large-scale military operation in Venezuela overnight, capturing President Nicolás Maduro and his wife:

“I was deeply alarmed to wake up to the news that the United States has invaded—and now taken over—Venezuela.

“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate dictator who has caused immense suffering for the Venezuelan people. But Venezuela does not pose a security cost to the United States that would justify this action. It seems to be a move on Venezuelan oil resources. We know from the pardon of former Honduran President Hernandez that bringing Maduro to justice on drug charges is a pretext.

“And while many Venezuelans and Americans hoped to see Maduro gone, we know that ‘running a country’ will have ongoing costs. We know that from the two decades and trillions of dollars we gave in the Middle East.  President Trump has now pulled the U.S. into another conflict that polling shows Americans overwhelmingly oppose. And after decades of endless wars, we do not need another one.

“In San Diego, a proud military community, we know better than most the costs of military action for our service members and their families back home. That’s why we are particularly suspicious of impulsive military decisions with unclear objectives. We are grateful that no U.S. service members were killed and that the mission went as planned, but we are concerned about the undefined mission ahead.

“From the President’s press conference, it’s clear that there is no strategy for going forward. Capturing a leader is not a plan. Without a defined endgame, this action risks prolonged instability, unpredictable escalation, and U.S. casualties on the ground.

“Congress is vested by the Constitution with the power to declare war, but Congress was not notified of this action ahead of time. Ordering a major military operation without Congress is not only dangerous but unconstitutional. That’s why I voted for the War Powers Resolution to reaffirm that the president does not have the authority to take military action in Venezuela.

“It’s time for the Administration to brief Congress on this action and the strategy going forward. Donald Trump continues to make our country weaker by losing friends and gaining enemies around the world. We need to prevent this from becoming another ill-conceived nation-building debacle.”

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Scott Peters (52nd District of California)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Scott Peters (CA-50), Gabe Evans (CO-08), Andrew Garbarino (NY-02), and Gabe Vasquez (NM-02) released a discussion draft for the Create Expedited Reviews to Transform American Infrastructure Now (CERTAIN) Act to transform the federal permitting process and meet America’s energy and electricity needs. Reps. Juan Ciscomani (AZ-06) and Adam Gray (CA-13) have also signed on.

The CERTAIN Act would address permit certainty—ensuring federal agencies handle project authorizations and environmental reviews fairly and efficiently, with clear timelines, notice requirements, and accountability. This would facilitate the build out of the energy we need to lower costs, create jobs, and protect our environment. It also emphasizes coordinating between different agencies involved in these processes to avoid unnecessary delays.

“It’s no secret that our surging energy demand is straining our grid and our wallets,” Congressman Peters said. “As we face the growing challenge of powering our nation’s future, we must act quickly and effectively. Our CERTAIN Act is the comprehensive solution we need—giving us the tools to tackle energy challenges head-on, without unnecessary delays, and ensuring we’re meeting the moment with urgency and responsibility.”

“As the representative of a truly all-of-the-above energy district, I hear from oil and gas and renewable energy producers alike that overburdensome permitting processes and lack of permit certainty has plagued investment and delayed innovation. Across the U.S., modernizing how we permit our infrastructure is absolutely vital to meeting our growing energy demand and lowering costs for working families. I’m proud to lead these bipartisan discussions to build upon the work already done in the House to strengthen American jobs, businesses and markets, reduce cost of living, and provide investors greater certainty when allocating capital to current and future energy projects,” said Congressman Evans

“Endless permitting roadblocks hurt communities and drive up energy costs. I’m proud to co-lead the bipartisan CERTAIN Act to bring transparency and accountability to the permitting process and ensure projects that meet their requirements can move forward on time,” said Congressman Garbarino.

“Over the past decade, we’ve seen how shifting policies from one administration to the next lead to stalled energy projects and make long-term planning impossible, and we cannot afford to leave our energy producers exposed to this political pendulum. That’s why I’m proud to be leading the CERTAIN Act, a bipartisan solution that protects the permitting process for all types of energy projects from undue political interference,” said Congressman Vasquez.

“We need to build more, fast, if we are going to address the nation’s affordability and reliability setbacks,” said Congressman Gray “Achieving an all-of-the-above energy approach is critical for our communities.  I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan reform to ensure all projects can move forward without threat once permitted.” 

“Arizona families and businesses are counting on smart, reliable energy solutions that support growth and opportunity,” said Congressman Ciscomani. “The CERTAIN Act brings clarity, coordination, and common sense to the federal permitting process so we can responsibly build the energy infrastructure our communities need. We can and should increase energy production while protecting our environment, and this bipartisan effort sets clear timelines and accountability to create jobs, strengthen our grid, and power America’s future responsibly.”

Key provisions of the CERTAIN Act include:

• Protection from Political Interference: Provide certainty for infrastructure investment by ensuring that lawfully issued permits that remain in compliance are safeguarded from political interference.
• Clear Timelines and Deadlines: Set specific deadlines, timelines, and milestones for federal agencies in the environmental review process. This would cover all reviews, under all environmental laws, for all projects.
• Transparency and Accountability: Promote transparency and accountability throughout the federal environmental review process, including by empowering decision-makers to resolve disputes.
• Address Workforce Needs: Require agencies to analyze and respond to workforce and technical needs, ensuring they can meet statutory obligations for environmental reviews.
• Agency Accountability: Strengthen communication between agencies and project sponsors on any delays, with opportunities to hold agencies accountable in court for missing deadlines and review milestones.

A section-by-section on the draft is available HERE. A one pager is available HERE. Read what organizations are saying HERE. Legislative text for the discussion draft is available HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Today, Rep. Frankel (FL-22) spoke in front of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to highlight the impact on Palm Beach County communities of disruptive 24/7 flight restrictions around Mar-a-Lago. In her remarks, Rep. Frankel called on the Committee to expedite direct engagement between the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the U.S. Secret Service, Palm Beach International Airport leadership, local officials, and residents in the affected neighborhoods.

Below is an excerpt from Rep. Frankel’s remarks, as prepared:

“Residents are reporting constant noise, increased air pollution, declining property values, and growing concerns about delays and flight safety at Palm Beach International Airport. In just a short period of time, the county airport has received hundreds of complaints…

In Florida, people live their lives outdoors. Because these restrictions are now in place year-round, thousands of residents are living with disruption every single day.

We know that protecting the President is essential. No one disputes that. The question is, do security and quality of life have to be mutually exclusive? My community is hoping that there is room to explore alternatives that maintain strong security while reducing the impact on surrounding areas.”

For Rep. Frankel’s full remarks, click here:

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Linda Sanchez (D-CA), Judy Chu (D-CA), and Brad Schneider (D-IL), all of whom serve on the House Committee on Ways and Means, yesterday wrote to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) requesting clarity on IRS guidance for the “no tax on tips” provision of H.R. 1, the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” tax legislation enacted last year by Republicans in Congress and President Trump. Their letter was submitted as an official comment on the rulemaking proposed by IRS and the Treasury Department for the federal register.

The Members inquired about how the provision would apply “when a government official has previously received cash payments in anticipation of future favors (e.g., government contracts).” They wrote:

“This letter seeks clarification regarding the application of selected proposed rules that would define qualified tips…

…

“There is an open question regarding the application of the tips deduction when a government official has previously received cash payments in anticipation of future favors (e.g., government contracts). The first question is whether such payments are customarily tips.

…
“Consider these factors in the case of a man who is broadly expected to become a high-ranking political official. This man is given a bag full of cash by a businessman who hopes to win future government contracts… The proposed regulations would exclude from qualified tips, ‘[a]ny amount received for a service the performance of which is a felony or -misdemeanor under applicable law is not a qualified tip.’ The statute makes no mention of distinguishing legal from illegal activity, and the final regulations should explain the authority for this distinction. Congress made no indication that payments for illegal activities should be excluded from the tips rule.

“This comment requests an example as follows: A political operative is a clear front runner for a high-level political job within the next six months. He is given $50,000 in cash in a bag in a parking lot, after a lunch discussing hopes that the payor will receive government contracts if the operative is put in a place of power. There is no guarantee of any service or result. Under these circumstances, the payment [is/is not] illegal and [is/is not] a qualified tip. [Describe treatment under OBBBA tips provision.]

“In crafting this example, and in the interest of additional clarity, the final regulations should further explain whether and when a payment like this is illegal.”

A signed copy of the letter is available here, and full text follows below.

***

The Honorable Kenneth J. Kies Assistant Secretary of the Treasury, Tax Policy Department of the Treasury 1500 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington, DC 20220

Re: Comment on Proposed Regulations Identifying Occupations That Customarily and Regularly Received Tips; Definition of Qualified Tips (RIN 1545-BR63)

This letter seeks clarification regarding the application of selected proposed rules that would define qualified tips, as published in the Federal Register on September 22, 2025. Clarifying the application of the final regulations would be in the interest of ensuring clarity to taxpayers and ensuring that the law is implemented as written by Congress.

Background

On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed Public Law 119-21, 139 Stat. 72 (July 4, 2025), commonly known as the One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Section 70201 of OBBBA is titled “No Tax on Tips” and would add a new section 224 to the Internal Revenue Code. The provision does not actually exclude tips from being taxed. Instead, the general structure of the provision is a deduction against income taxes for tips received “by an individual in an occupation which customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024.” The provision is limited by adjusted gross income, with phaseouts above the limit. The deduction cannot exceed $25,000. Under this structure, all tips will remain taxable under payroll tax rules. For purposes of this comment, the most important statutory provision is the definition of “Qualified Tips” provided in new Code section 224(d):

(d) Qualified tips.–For purposes of this section–

(1) In general.–The term “qualified tips” means cash tips received by an individual in an occupation which customarily and regularly received tips on or before December 31, 2024, as provided by the Secretary.

(2) Exclusions.–Such term shall not include any amount received by an individual unless–

(A) such amount is paid voluntarily without any consequence in the event of nonpayment, is not the subject of negotiation, and is determined by the payor,

(B) the trade or business in the course of which the individual receives such amount is not a specified service trade or business (as defined in section 199A(d)(2)), and

(C) such other requirements as may be established by the Secretary in regulations or other guidance are satisfied.

For purposes of subparagraph (B), in the case of an individual receiving tips in the trade or business of performing services as an employee, such individual shall be treated as receiving tips in the course of a trade or business which is a specified service trade or business if the trade or business of the employer is a specified service trade or business.

(3) Cash tips.–For purposes of paragraph (1), the term “cash tips” includes tips received from customers that are paid in cash or charged and, in the case of an employee, tips received under any tip-sharing arrangement.

Fact Pattern – Bags of Cash for in Anticipation of Government Contracts

There is an open question regarding the application of the tips deduction when a government official has previously received cash payments in anticipation of future favors (e.g., government contracts). The first question is whether such payments are customarily tips. The proposed regulations adopts definitions that “are consistent with IRS guidance defining tips for FICA and income tax withholding purposes in . . . Rev. Rul. 2012-18.” Rev. Rul, 2012-18  lays out factors to distinguish wages from tips. The following factors lean in favor of categorization as tips:

(1) The payment must be made free from compulsion;

(2) The customer must have the unrestricted right to determine the amount;

(3) The payment should not be the subject of negotiation or dictated by employer policy; and,

(4) Generally, the customer has the right to determine who receives the payment

Consider these factors in the case of a man who is broadly expected to become a high-ranking political official. This man is given a bag full of cash by a businessman who hopes to win future government contracts. In this case, each of the factors laid out in Rev. Rul. 2012-18 is present. But the inquiry does not stop there. The proposed regulations would exclude from qualified tips, “[a]ny amount received for a service the performance of which is a felony or -misdemeanor under applicable law is not a qualified tip.” The statute makes no mention of distinguishing legal from illegal activity, and the final regulations should explain the authority for this distinction. Congress made no indication that payments for illegal activities should be excluded from the tips rule.

This comment requests an example as follows:

A political operative is a clear front runner for a high-level political job within the next six months. He is given $50,000 in cash in a bag in a parking lot, after a lunch discussing hopes that the payor will receive government contracts if the operative is put in a place of power. There is no guarantee of any service or result. Under these circumstances, the payment [is/is not] illegal and [is/is not] a qualified tip. [Describe treatment under OBBBA tips provision.]

In crafting this example, and in the interest of additional clarity, the final regulations should further explain whether and when a payment like this is illegal.

We hope this comment is helpful, and we look forward to studying the final rules.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

This week, Rep. Jack Bergman cosponsored the Stop Insider Trading Act, legislation that would prohibit Members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from trading individual stocks.

Concerns about stock trading by elected officials have grown in recent years, as multiple academic studies and media investigations have shown that Members of Congress have historically outperformed the broader stock market at rates that raise serious questions about access to nonpublic information.

Rep. Bergman noted, “The American people work hard for every dollar they earn, and they are right to be angry when politicians use insider information to trade stocks and game the system. The Stop Insider Trading Act helps restore trust by making clear that Members of Congress cannot profit from the same information they use to write the laws. This bill is about fairness, accountability, and making sure Washington plays by the same rules as the folks back home.”

The legislation, introduced by Rep. Brian Steil, passed the House Administration Committee today and now heads to the House floor for a vote.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) joined Congressman Josh Harder (CA-09) to introduce the Olive Oil Standards Act. California is the nation’s leading producer of olive oil, and the United States remains one of the largest olive oil markets in the world. Yet despite the growing domestic industry and consumer demand, the U.S. still lacks a uniform, enforceable standard of identity and grade standards for olive oil. This bipartisan bill directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish clear identity and grade standards for olive oil to protect consumers from misleading labeling and producers from unfair global marketplace conditions. 

“The Central Valley is one of the nation’s leading regions for olive oil production, and as demand grows, it’s important industry standards can keep up,” said Congressman Valadao. “By establishing identity and grade standards, we can protect consumers from misleading labeling, promote transparency in the marketplace, and ensure a level playing field for our domestic olive oil producers. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan solution to bring long-overdue clarity and accountability to the olive oil market.”

“We already have the best olives grown right here in our own backyard, but Valley products are being crowded out in the grocery aisle by fake and fraudulent products. That hurts local businesses and shoppers,” said Rep. Harder. “It’s past time to crack down on misleading products once and for all. This common sense bill gives shoppers the transparency they need to buy local and keep their families healthy.”

“This legislation is a win for U.S. olive oil consumers and farmers,” said Kimberly Houlding, President and CEO of the American Olive Oil Producers Association. “When enacted, it will ensure that what is on the label is in the bottle and that the health benefits and value of extra virgin olive oil are preserved for all.”

The Olive Oil Standards Act would:

• Direct the FDA to establish a national standard of identity for olive oil to clearly define what qualifies as each grade sold in the United States.
• Create uniform grade standards for olive oil and olive-pomace oil, including extra virgin, virgin, refined, and other recognized categories.
• Require the FDA to report back to Congress within 120 days on actions taken to implement these new standards.

Read the full bill here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark Pocan (2nd District of Wisconsin)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05), co-chairs of the Defense Spending Reduction Caucus, released the following statement after the Pentagon announced it failed its eighth consecutive audit late last month:

“It’s rich that just weeks after the Pentagon failed its eighth consecutive audit, Donald Trump called for boosting the Pentagon’s budget beyond the already unthinkable $1 trillion mark, to an even more outrageous $1.5 trillion. We cannot justify continuing to increase the Pentagon’s budget when the agency cannot even successfully pass a fiscal audit. The lack of accountability and transparency at the Pentagon is simply unacceptable, yet Congress continues to pour more and more taxpayer dollars into the agency each year. No other federal agency would be allowed to operate this way. It’s past time to rein in wasteful spending on ineffective weapons programs, stop rewarding wealthy and powerful defense contractors, and restore fiscal discipline to the Pentagon.”

Every federal department is required to conduct an annual audit; however, it took years for the Pentagon to complete its first one in 2018, and after eight attempts, it still has not passed. 

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

---