MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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 Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced a resolution to recognize April 10 as National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. While HIV/AIDS affects people of all backgrounds, prevention is key for young people, who are the group of people living with HIV least likely to receive consistent medical treatment. Youth make up 19 percent of the 31,800 annual new HIV diagnoses in the US, and raising awareness is key to slowing down future infections.

“As chair of the Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus, I’m honored to introduce this resolution,” said Congressman Pocan. “We’ve made great progress fighting this disease, but there is still more we can do. While the current administration buries its head in the sand, I have one message for our young people: take your health into your own hands. Get tested, know your status, and get treatment if necessary.”

“Nearly twenty percent of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States are among young people—with many more slipping through the cracks when it comes to reporting, diagnosis, and access to care,” said Senator Blumenthal. “Engaging with and educating young people about the risks of HIV/AIDS is critical to eradicating this epidemic once and for all. While the Trump Administration defunds and undermines federal efforts to achieve this goal, our resolution affirms the importance of investing in HIV/AIDS education, prevention, and lifesaving treatment in the United States and around the globe.”

In addition to recognizing this day, the resolution also calls for prioritizing youth leadership and development, increasing HIV/AIDS comprehensive and effective prevention education, providing youth-friendly and accessible healthcare services, and urging state and local governments to recognize and support this day.

In the United States, young people ages 13 to 24 account for 20 percent of all new HIV diagnoses. Nearly half of all young people living with HIV are unaware of their status, and only 6 percent of high school students are tested for HIV.

Text of the House Resolution can be found here.

Additional Co-sponsors include: Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), U.S. Representatives Judy Chu (CA-28), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Danny Davis (IL-07), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Robin Kelly (IL-02), Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12),  Maxine Waters (CA-43), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12)

Endorsing organizations include:AIDS Institute, AVAC, HIV Medicine Association, PrEP4All

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

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

Gomez: “You imposed tariffs on an island inhabited by penguins. Consumer confidence is plummeting—and you’re saying, ‘Trust us?’”

**VIDEO AVAILABLE**

Watch his full remarks HERE.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — At a House Ways and Means Committee hearing on the Trump Administration’s 2025 Trade Policy Agenda with U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer, Rep. Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) delivered a powerful rebuke of the Trump administration’s reckless tariff policy, calling out its devastating impact on working families and exposing the out-of-touch economic priorities driving it. In a pointed exchange with Trump’s top trade official, Gomez demanded answers, accountability, and clarity for everyday Americans feeling the squeeze.

During his five-minutes of questioning, Rep. Gomez:

• Confronted Greer on the skyrocketing costs of Trump’s tariffs and their impact on food, clothes, cars, and basic household goods
• Blasted the administration’s misleading claims of “short-term pain,” equating it to economic gaslighting
• Exposed Greer’s multiple overlapping roles — including USTR, acting ethics chief, and whistleblower overseer — and questioned who’s really running the trade agenda
• Mocked the administration’s incompetence, citing reports of tariffs on an island inhabited only by penguins

KEY MOMENTS FROM THE HEARING:

On tariffs as a hidden tax on working people: “Do you agree that tariffs are a tax—yes or no? …Economists say that 98 to 99% of that tax is passed on to the American consumer in higher prices… and it’s going to fall disproportionately, especially on working Americans.”

On the real cost of Trump’s trade war: “Yesterday, it was said there’d be a $3,800-a-year increase for working families. Today it’s $4,600. What’s the increase going to be tomorrow—$5,200?”

On the disconnect between Trump’s advisors and American families: “My constituents don’t make $1.5 million a year like you did at King & Spalding. We check our budgets every month to decide what we have to cut back on. That’s the reality for working families.”

On hypocrisy at the top: “You also have a Cabinet of billionaires. Lucknick, Bescent, Elon Musk—I mean Donald Trump himself. For them, $4,600 doesn’t mean anything. But for the average worker, it does.”

On lack of credibility and leadership in the trade agenda: “You’re the USTR, the acting ethics chief, the chief whistleblower, and the lead trade negotiator—so who’s actually running the show? Even Donald Trump said it was the Commerce Secretary.”

On the administration’s failure to level with the American people: “You’re saying, ‘Trust us, trust us—there’ll be short-term pain.’ But we see a plan that doesn’t make sense, a flawed formula, the stock market crashing, and red lights blinking on a recession.”

On calling out absurdity and demanding accountability: “You imposed tariffs on an island inhabited by penguins. Consumer confidence is plummeting—and you’re saying, ‘Trust us’? That doesn’t pass the smell test.”

Rep. Gomez concluded: “We’ve worked on other issues before, and I hope we can work on others moving forward—but you need to be straight about who’s running the show, because this is going to fall and hurt the American worker.”

You can read the full transcript HERE.

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

For Immediate Release                                          Contact: Tionee Scotland
April 10, 2025                                                           202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN  EXPRESSES CONCERN AND EXTENDS CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILIES OF THOSE IMPACTED BY THE NIGHCLUB ROOF COLLAPSE IN THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett shared the following statement on the roof collapse incident that took place earlier this week in the Dominican Republic:

“I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic roof collapse incident that took place at a popular nightclub in the Dominican Republic a few days ago. More than 180 individuals died and another 150 plus have been hospitalized. This is a devastating time for numerous families across the Dominican Republic and within the Dominican diaspora in the US and the broader Caribbean.

“My heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with the families of those who were lost and with those who are now in recovery. I pray God’s grace and strength surround you all during this difficult time.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, U.S. Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), and Ritchie Torres (NY-15) reintroduced the American Family Act, legislation that would make permanent the expanded Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provided families with monthly payments of up to $300 per child.

The expanded, monthly Child Tax Credit is proven to help rebuild the middle class and lift millions of children out of poverty. The 2021 expansion of the credit in the American Rescue Plan Act was based on the American Family Act. It led to a historic reduction in poverty in the United States, particularly for children. Research showed that child poverty fell by nearly half to 5.2%, its lowest level on record.

President Trump campaigned on lowering costs for American families and Vice President JD Vance voiced support for bolstering the Child Tax Credit on the campaign trail. As Republicans work on a forthcoming tax package, they must include the fully expanded Child Tax Credit – a commonsense, tested policy that delivers for American workers and families.

 “I consistently hear from families in my district and across the country about the challenges they face getting by. The costs of housing, food, and child care can be overwhelming. Democrats have a proven solution to help families in the expanded Child Tax Credit. We know that it works because we have seen it before, and it is supported by considerable data and countless stories from families,” said DelBene. “Republicans let the expanded Child Tax Credit expire at the end of 2021 and since then child poverty has more than doubled. Lifting kids out of poverty should not be a partisan issue. Yet, Republicans continue to prioritize the wealthy and well-connected and refuse to work to create bipartisan tax policy that supports working families. If we truly want to make America a place where families and the middle class can thrive, we need to pass the American Family Act.”

“Families are living paycheck to paycheck,” said DeLauro. “They need help dealing with high costs and the Child Tax Credit is one of our most powerful and proven solutions – an antidote to inflation. It provides middle and working-class families with unprecedented economic security and lifts millions of children out of poverty. I am proud to join my colleagues in reintroducing this legislation. We need the Child Tax Credit now.”

“The American Family Act would be a lifeline for millions of families who have been left behind for far too long. By expanding and fully refunding the Child Tax Credit, we would make a crucial investment in the future of our children — lifting millions out of poverty, putting money directly into the pockets of working families, and ensuring that every child, no matter their background, has a fair shot at success,” said Torres. “The evidence is clear: the expanded CTC worked at exponentially reducing childhood poverty, and it is time to make it permanent. This is not just economic policy: it is a moral imperative.”

Senators Michael Bennet (CO), Cory Booker (NJ), and Raphael Warnock (GA) introduced identical legislation in the Senate.

The American Family Act would:

• Increase the value of the CTC from the current level of $2,000 per child to $6,360 for newborns, $4,320 for children ages one through six, and $3,600 for children age six through 17.
• Make the credit fully refundable, ensuring that the families of 17 million low-income children left out of the CTC under current law will receive the full credit.
• Provide for monthly delivery of the credit so families have access to the credit as bills arrive.
• Index the CTC for inflation to preserve the value of the credit moving forward.

A copy of the bill text can be found here. 

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

Washington, DC – Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he emphasized that while Donald Trump and Republicans are crashing the economy and passing their reckless budget scheme meant to destroy the American way of life, House Democrats will continue to work to lower the cost of living and build an economy that works for everyday Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good morning. Here in the Capitol, the battle lines with respect to Democratic values and Republican values have once again been clearly drawn. House and Senate Democrats are standing on the side of the American people, and we continue to be committed to building an economy that’s affordable and that works for everyday Americans and drives down the high cost of living while protecting healthcare, nutritional assistance and the Social Security of the American people. 

Donald Trump and extreme MAGA Republicans are doing everything they can to tank our economy, drive us toward a recession and gut the healthcare of the American people by visiting upon them the largest Medicaid cut in history, along with the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, all in service of enacting massive tax breaks for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk. It’s a toxic scheme that they cannot hide from because it continues to be on full display on the House Floor and on the Senate Floor for the American people.

The budget resolution that passed the House today will set in motion some of the most extreme cuts to healthcare, nutritional assistance and the things that matter to everyday Americans in our nation’s nearly 250-year history. It’s a disgrace. This is just the beginning. And House Democrats are going to aggressively push back every day, every week, every month until we bury this reckless Republican budget resolution in the ground, never to rise again.

Full press conference can be watched here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), and Tracey Mann (KS-01) reintroduced the bipartisan and bicameral Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act, which would protect American farmers by restricting the eligibility of the 45Z Tax Credit to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks. Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Roger Marshall, MD (R-KS) have introduced an identical companion bill in the United States Senate.

“Today, I joined my colleagues in this important bicameral and bipartisan effort because helping American farmers, producers, and growers goes beyond state and party lines, and is more important now than ever,” said Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09).“We must ensure the Clean Fuel Production tax credit is structured in a way that benefits domestic producers, and not one that advantages foreign-produced feedstocks from China or Brazil. Our legislation extends this credit through 2034 and will bolster American energy independence by prioritizing American producers and the production of domestic biofuels.”

“American tax incentives should benefit American-grown products and American farmers, not foreign producers,” said Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01). “Foreign feedstocks can play a significant role in producing domestically manufactured ethanol, biodiesel, renewable diesel, and sustainable aviation fuel, but we cannot allow them to displace harvest grown right in our backyard. Our tax code should reward their grit and tenacity, not prop up feedstocks grown overseas.”

This legislation would extend the 45Z tax credit and give the ethanol industry the time and financial incentive to build up the infrastructure needed for the US to be less reliant on foreign fuel, open new markets for farmers, and increase ethanol production across the Midwest. Additionally, this bill fixes the glaring flaw in 45Z that negatively impacts farmers wanting to sell feedstocks to the biodiesel and renewable diesel industry. If 45Z continues as-is, taxpayers are at risk of further subsidizing Chinese-used cooking oil and undermining the use of soy, canola, sorghum, and corn oil in renewable fuels.

“Domestically produced biofuel strengthens our energy independence, supports our farmers, and boosts rural economies,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN). “The introduction of the Farmers First Fuel Incentives Act is an important step as we work to maximize the potential of the 45Z Clean Fuel Production Credit and clean fuel investments across rural America. By extending the credit for another ten years, this legislation gives farmers and biofuel producers the certainty they need to provide consumers with affordable, lower-carbon fuel options.”

“The Farmer First Fuel Incentives Act is commonsense legislation that stops sending American taxpayer dollars to China, expands robust domestic markets for agriculture producers, and increases certainty for the biofuels industry,” said Senator Roger Marshall (R-KS). “With President Trump in the White House and Republicans leading both the Senate and House, we are finally putting American farmers first and supporting biofuels made in the USA It’s time our energy and agricultural policies reflect that.”

The Senate companion legislation is cosponsored by US Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE). 

The legislation is supported by Growth Energy, American Soybean Association, National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), National Corn Growers Association, National Sorghum Producers, US Canola Association, and Renewable Fuels Association.

“Farmers and businesses need to know this tax credit is here to stay before they can invest in dozens of new energy projects across rural America. With this bill they’ll have the certainty they need to accelerate innovation, create thousands of new jobs, and secure new markets for farmers and biofuel producers,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “We applaud this leadership and thank all our rural champions for working to put American renewable fuel producers and farmers in the best possible position to succeed in next generation fuel markets.”

“ASA thanks Senators Marshall and Klobuchar for their leadership to ensure the 45Z tax credit supports domestic biofuel producers and domestic biofuel feedstock suppliers like soybean farmers,” said American Soybean Association President Caleb Ragland. “The updated Farmers First Fuel Incentives Act includes one of our top priorities: removing arbitrary indirect land use change calculations, which put soy and all of US agriculture at a disadvantage to imported waste feedstocks of dubious origin. This legislation provides a roadmap for how the 45Z tax credit can be improved to support farmers, and we are glad to support its introduction.”

“American tax incentives should support American farmers — not put them at a disadvantage. Ensuring that only domestic feedstocks such as U.S.-grown soybeans qualify for U.S. tax credits is a straightforward way to strengthen our domestic supply chain and rural economy,” said National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) President and CEO Devin Mogler. “At the same time, eliminating the outdated and flawed Indirect Land Use Change (ILUC) penalty removes an arbitrary barrier that unfairly punishes US producers while benefiting foreign competitors. We appreciate Congresswoman Kaptur, Congressman Mann, and Senators Marshall and Klobuchar for their leadership to ensure the Clean Fuel Production Credit works as intended — to support American agriculture and American energy.”

“We are deeply appreciative of these leaders for introducing legislation that establishes requirements for a tax credit that will level the playing field for America’s corn growers,” said National Corn Growers Association President Kenneth Hartman Jr. “This bill brings American farmers a step closer to unlocking an exciting new market with global reach.”

“We appreciate the focus on “farmers first” legislation and the support of 45Z and domestic feedstocks like sorghum,” said Amy France, Chair of the National Sorghum Producers. “Domestic biofuel production remains critical to our farm and our country’s success.”

“The US Canola Association strongly supports the removal of arbitrary and uncertain indirect land use change (ILUC) assumptions from the calculation of federal clean fuel production tax credits,” said Tim Mickelson, President of the US Canola Association. “We applaud the sponsors and co-sponsors for their efforts to improve and extend the tax credit for biofuels. The flawed assumptions used to calculate indirect emissions have resulted in canola being excluded despite being a proven feedstock that the US EPA’s analysis conservatively shows reduces emissions up to 78%.  We urge Congress to enact these important changes to provide certainty, stability, and market opportunity for canola growers and our biofuels industry partners.” 

You can find the full House bill text by clicking here.

Background:

• In 2024, Congresswoman Kaptur also led multiple bipartisan letters calling for the US Department of the Treasury to restrict the eligibility of the 45Z Tax Credit to renewable fuels made only from domestically sourced feedstocks, like Kansas soybean oil and corn oil.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) voted ‘no’ on the Republican “budget for billionaires” that would gut health care for children, seniors and people with disabilities – all for $7 trillion in giveaways to GOP billionaire donors. The Republican scheme to make the richest Americans richer will explode the deficit by heaping trillions of dollars of debt on children and middle-class families.

“Republicans in Congress are intent on saddling middle-class Americans with higher costs and more debt, so their billionaire donors can buy another vacation home or private jet,” said Rep. Castor. “In the Tampa Bay area, the GOP budget would gut Medicaid health care for over 682,000 neighbors, raise health care premiums by $430 on average per year, slash food assistance for 481,000, and jeopardize Pell grants for over 78,000 students.”

The vast majority of health care cuts will be fought out in Castor’s Energy and Commerce Committee, where she will defend her neighbors, their health care, and their wallets. In Castor’s district alone, 148,000 are covered through the Affordable Care Act and are protected from discrimination for preexisting conditions. Under the GOP budget, the average premium would increase by $430 per year on average- a stunning 65% increase.

In addition to deeply harmful health care cuts, the Republican plan threatens nutrition assistance for 179,000 people in FL-14 by slashing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) at a time when families are struggling with high grocery prices and rebuilding their lives after the devastating hurricanes.

Rep. Castor is committed to fighting back against this reckless Billionaires’ Budget and standing up for Florida families.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

The bill helps more children join permanent, loving families by removing income as a barrier to adoption.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11)

WASHINGTON, DC — Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) released the following statement after voting against House Republicans’ extreme budget resolution that will strip access to Medicaid and food assistance while giving tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy:

“Today, I once again voted against Republicans’ outrageous budget resolution that will threaten Medicaid access for nearly two million New Jerseyans — including one in three New Jersey children — eliminate critical food assistance as the price of groceries rise, and strip funding from New Jersey’s public schools.

“At the same time, this budget adds trillions to our national debt by giving massive tax breaks to billionaires like Trump and Musk — paid for by hardworking New Jersey taxpayers. This disastrous bill is neither government efficiency nor fiscal responsibility.”

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