MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Congressman Biggs’s Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act was adopted unanimously by the House of Representatives. Congressman Biggs issued the following statement:

“The passage of my CSAFE Act delivers long-overdue legal clarity and serious consequences for criminals who coerce and exploit children,” said Congressman Biggs.

“The internet has become a hunting ground for predators who use manipulation, coercion, and psychological warfare to target children in the darkest ways imaginable. For too long, gaps in federal law have allowed these offenders to hide behind screens, anonymity, and outdated statutes while young lives are shattered. The CSAFE Act closes those gaps and gives law enforcement the clear authority necessary to hunt down and prosecute those who exploit children.

“I am grateful for the bipartisan support behind this effort and the critical input from the White House in crafting this legislation. I urge my Senate colleagues to quickly pass the CSAFE Act so President Trump can sign it into law.”

Congressman Biggs’s legislation may be read here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Today, Congressman Biggs’s Coercion and Sexual Abuse Free Environment (CSAFE) Act passed out of the Judiciary Committee’s markup in bipartisan fashion. The legislation aims to combat the growing threat of online coercion and sexual abuse targeting minors. Congressman Biggs worked closely with the White House and the Federal Bureau of Investigation in drafting the CSAFE Act to ensure law enforcement has clear statutory authority to pursue offenders exploiting children online.

The CSAFE Act, H.R. 6732, strengthens federal law by explicitly prohibiting the coercion of minors into self-harm, suicide, animal abuse, or other degrading and abusive acts, conduct that has proliferated through online platforms and anonymous digital networks. Under the bill, criminals who coerce minors into such acts would face up to 10 years in prison, with enhanced penalties of up to 20 years if serious bodily injury results, and life imprisonment if a victim dies as a result of the coercion.

“The internet has become a hunting ground for predators who use coercion, manipulation, and psychological pressure to destroy young lives,” said Congressman Biggs.

“The CSAFE Act closes dangerous gaps in federal law and sends a clear message: if you target children, there will be serious consequences. Criminals are using online platforms to push children toward self-harm, suicide, and other degrading acts, often hiding behind anonymity and digital manipulation. Federal law must be clear, modern, and strong enough to meet that threat.

“I’m grateful for the collaboration with the White House and the FBI, and I’m encouraged to see this legislation advance out of committee.”

The CSAFE Act advanced out of committee unanimously and has been referred to House Leadership for a potential vote on the House Floor.

The bill may be read here.

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

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia congressional district with one of the largest concentrations of federal workers and contractors in the U.S. House, today announced his opposition to H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act.

Beyer led congressional opposition to the Trump Administration’s illegal destruction of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). His district includes major State Department facilities, and is home to civil servants from numerous federal agencies including hundreds of workers who lost their jobs last year at USAID.

Beyer said:

“I cannot support or fund a status quo that accepts Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s destruction of USAID. I continue to believe that was an illegal, immoral, and illegitimate act. It was a major disaster for my constituents and the region, and it also failed to save taxpayers money as promised. Meanwhile our warnings that destroying USAID would lead to preventable deaths around the world and damage relations with developing nations sadly have already come to pass.

“The bill also fails to constrain an erratic, out-of-control president increasingly bent on illegal military actions. Trump’s abject stupidity regarding possible military actions in Greenland, Mexico, Colombia, Cuba, and elsewhere in the wake of the unconstitutional attack on Venezuela does not have the support of the American people, and Congress must act to stop it.

“While I appreciate and support the important work my appropriator colleagues have done to improve this bill by stripping Republican poison pills from it, I believe Congress must do more to stand up to this corrupt, lawless president. I will vote no.”

Beyer previously served in the State Department as a U.S. Ambassador during the Obama Administration.

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

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) introduced the Improving Mental Health Care and Coordination for Homeless Veterans Act. This bill would require the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) homeless program staff to identify and support veterans who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in order to identify appropriate housing options and mental health care.

“After serving our nation, veterans deserve timely access to quality care, including stable housing and mental health support when needed,” said Congressman Valadao. “I’m proud to introduce the Improving Mental Health Care and Coordination for Homeless Veterans Act to help ensure vulnerable veterans don’t slip through the cracks by strengthening VA coordination and accountability and helping connect them with the benefits they’ve earned.”

“The Improving Mental Health Care and Coordination for Homeless Veterans Act, championed by my friend and colleague Rep. Valadao, is critically needed legislation that would require VA employees to conduct assessments for homeless veterans who may need mental health care and support,” said Chairman Bost. “It should go without saying that our homeless veterans deserve the best care and support, and they should receive the assistance they need to get their lives back on track – without VA bureaucracy getting in the way.”

The Improving Mental Health Care and Coordination for Homeless Veterans Act would:

• Ensure VA conducts a comprehensive assessment within three days of identifying a veteran in need of homeless program services.
• Require VA to evaluate both immediate and long-term mental and physical health needs and develop a clear plan of support.
• Direct VA to identify appropriate housing options as part of each assessment.
• Ensure assessment information is consistent with and included in the veteran’s electronic health record.

Read the full bill here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Dingell Invites Students to Participate in Annual Valentines for Veterans Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta’s SELF DRIVE Act Receives Energy and Commerce Subcommittee Hearing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim Costa Representing 16th District of California

WASHINGTON –  Last night, Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21), co-founder and co-chair of the Crime Survivors and Justice Caucus (CSJC), celebrated the passage of the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act (CVFSA), bipartisan legislation that ensures consistent, year-to-year funding for the Crime Victims Fund (CVF). The bill allows states and local victim service providers to reliably sustain critical programs for survivors of crime. 
The Crime Victims Fund, financed through criminal fines and penalties rather than taxpayer dollars, is the primary federal funding source for Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) grants. These grants support essential services such as crisis counseling, emergency shelter, legal assistance, and advocacy for victims and their families. Stabilizing this funding ensures programs nationwide can continue delivering critical services, as highlighted by the National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators (NAVAA). 
“Survivors of crime shouldn’t have to face uncertainty when accessing critical services,” said Rep. Costa. “This bipartisan bill stabilizes the Crime Victims Fund, giving families and communities in California and across the country the certainty that help will be there when it matters most. Local programs will be able to plan ahead, retain staff, and continue providing the critical support survivors rely on every day.” 
Costa was proud to co-lead this bill with Representative Ann Wagner (MO-02), along with other original bipartisan cosponsors, including Rep. Schmidt (KS-02), Rep. Dingell (MI-06), Rep. Moran (TX-01), and Rep. Bice (OK-05). 
The House passed the legislation with overwhelming bipartisan support, reflecting Congress’s commitment to victims of crime nationwide. With stabilized funding, states and local agencies can deliver uninterrupted VOCA-funded services, providing peace of mind for victims and their families who rely on these critical resources.  The bill now moves to the Senate for consideration. 
Full text of the bill is available HERE. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Twelve Members of Congress have returned to federal court after the Trump-Vance administration secretly re-imposed a policy that blocks unannounced congressional oversight of federal immigration detention facilities. The Members filed a motion urgently asking the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia to order the administration to explain how this new policy is not a violation of federal law guaranteeing Members of Congress the ability to conduct oversight of ICE facilities. The court’s December order affirmed all Members’ rights under federal law to conduct this oversight.

The lawsuit, Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al., was filed in July 2025 after the Trump-Vance administration unlawfully imposed a policy requiring Members of Congress to give advance notice before conducting oversight visits at immigration detention facilities, interfering with Congress’s constitutional oversight authority, and preventing lawmakers from examining conditions and government conduct as incidents of violence against detainees was on the rise.

Last month, the court preliminarily stopped DHS’s policy, affirming the rights of Members to conduct unannounced visits. However, after an ICE officer shot and killed a U.S. citizen last week, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem quietly signed a new memorandum reinstating the same seven-day notice requirement. The existence of the memo, which had not been shared with plaintiffs or the court, only came to light after three members of the Minnesota congressional delegation were subsequently denied access to an ICE facility in Minnesota, despite having the court order in hand.

The plaintiffs include Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse; Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Rep. Bennie G. Thompson; Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Rep. Jamie Raskin; House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Ranking Member Rep. Robert Garcia; House Homeland Security Committee Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement Ranking Member Rep. J. Luis Correa; Rep. Jason Crow; Rep. Veronica Escobar; Rep. Dan Goldman; Rep. Jimmy Gomez; Rep. Raul Ruiz; and Rep. Norma Torres.

In a joint statement, the plaintiffs said: “In December, a federal court acted to restore Members of Congress’s ability to conduct essential congressional oversight on behalf of the American people. Now, rather than complying with the law, the Department of Homeland Security is attempting to get around this order by re-imposing the same unlawful policy. This is unacceptable. Oversight is a core responsibility of Members of Congress, and a constitutional duty we do not take lightly. It is not something the executive branch can turn on or off at will. Today, we are going back to court to defend the rule of law, protect transparency, and ensure that no administration can hide behind closed doors.”

Read the filing HERE.

The Members of Congress are represented in this suit by Democracy Forward Foundation and American Oversight.

“What are they hiding? Why does the Trump-Vance administration continue to implement policies to block members of Congress – who represent the people and have legal obligations to conduct oversight – from accessing ICE facilities? The answer has become more and more clear: what ICE is doing is harmful and indefensible, and this administration does not want checks and balances,” said Skye Perryman, President and CEO of Democracy Forward. “A federal court issued an order in December preventing the Trump-Vance administration’s attempts to prevent individual members of Congress from conducting oversight, and yet Secretary Noem and DHS appear to be seeking to circumvent the court’s order. This threat to the rule of law and our system of checks and balances should concern every single American. We look forward to seeking answers in court about what the government has done here.” 

“The Trump administration has now made clear that it is willing to defy both Congress and the courts to conceal conditions inside immigration detention facilities, effectively enabling — if not openly endorsing — ongoing abuse and neglect,” said Chioma Chukwu, Executive Director of American Oversight. “A federal court affirmed that members of Congress have a clear legal right to conduct unannounced oversight visits, yet DHS appears to have quietly resurrected the very policy the court stopped. That kind of end-run around the law undermines transparency, accountability, and the constitutional system of checks and balances. We are proud to stand with members of Congress as they demand that the administration explain their latest secrecy and obstruction.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter sends $500K to Georgia for right whale monitoring and protection

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today announced $500,000 in funding for the Georgia Conservancy to leverage existing Automatic Identification System (AIS) technology to transmit information about North Atlantic right whales’ seasonal management areas to vessels, protecting both mariners and the critically endangered species. 

This funding, included in the House-passed Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, will help prevent vessel strikes in right whale calving grounds off Georgia’s coast without harming shipping and other necessary economic activity in the area. AIS technology is already required worldwide on vessels 65 feet and over. 

“Using existing technology to monitor for right whales and protect mariners is a common-sense solution to a challenging coastal problem. Preserving this species does not have to come at the expense of boater safety or robust economic activity. With this funding, we are ensuring a bright future for coastal Georgians and the marine life that calls our waters home,” said Rep. Carter.

“DNR supports developing applications for innovative technologies that can be paired with data collected by us and partner agency field teams to mitigate vessel interactions with critically endangered North Atlantic right whales in their core calving grounds. Sustained funding for the collaborative AIS Messaging System Initiative on our coast is a great opportunity to refine this approach into an effective tool for mariner safety and right whale conservation,” said Jessica Thompson, Senior Wildlife Biologist, Georgia Department of Natural Resources’ (DNR) Marine Mammal Program.

“Georgia Conservancy is grateful to Representative Buddy Carter and his staff for their support of this technological approach to a challenging coastal issue. Vessel strikes pose a significant threat to the critically-endangered North Atlantic right whale, whose only known calving ground is in the waters of coastal Georgia. Investing in AIS technology helps to protect this incredible species and provides safeguards to the boating community and our coastal economy,” said Katherine Moore, President, Georgia Conservancy.

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

Representative Gomez represents Los Angeles’s Koreatown, the largest Korean American community in the country, and has sponsored the Korean American Day resolution every year he has served in Congress. 

“On behalf of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles, I commend Congressman Jimmy Gomez for his leadership in honoring Korean American Day and for his partnership with the Korean American community.  We look forward to continuing our work together to ensure that the history, contributions, and the enduring legacy of Korean Americans remain a vital part of America’s story,” said Robert Ahn, President of the Korean American Federation of Los Angeles.

Full resolution text here