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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) released the following statement ahead of a House vote to repeal the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) rule capping excessive overdraft fees:

“Trump promised to lower egg prices. Instead, Republicans are gutting the rules to let banks charge you $35 per transaction to use your own checking account.  Overdraft fees are one of the most predatory practices in the financial system, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s rule finally puts guardrails in place. Repealing it means banks can run up the score on their customers with $35 fees even for small transactions. This is a Republican handout to the financial industry at the expense of everyday Americans. I’m voting no,” said Pallone.

The CFPB — established in the wake of the 2008 financial crash — finalized the overdraft fee rule in December after years of research and public input. The rule would cap overdraft charges and save consumers billions each year. Repealing it allows banks to continue charging as much as $35 per overdraft — often for small, short-term charges that disproportionately hit low-income families. According to the CFPB, the final rule is expected to result in $5 billion in annual overdraft fee savings to consumers, or $225 per household that pays overdraft fees. The overdraft final rule will take effect on October 1, 2025.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –Today, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) joined all 19 Democratic Members from New York in sending a letter, led by Reps. Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy requesting a meeting to discuss the unprecedented attacks on New York State’s health funding. 

“This funding cut will have a detrimental impact on New Yorkers who have dedicated years of their lives to public service and helping their communities,” Rep. Meeks said. “I receive daily calls from my constituents who are furious about the job losses the Trump administration has created. HHS was designed to protect the well-being of Americans, not strip away vital services that allow for safe and effective health care.” 

The Members wrote in the letter:

“We write regarding the Trump administration’s recent attempt to rescind more than $11 billion in congressionally authorized funding from state and local health departments across the country. Under these cuts, New York state health departments will lose an estimated $400 million in critical health funding, with $100 million of that being pulled from the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene alone. As a result of these actions, the New York State Department of Health has laid off more than 200 public health workers, including 50 full time staff and 168 public health fellows…Every single one of our constituents will be impacted by these actions.” 

The letter explains that at least 200 community-based organizations that provide mental health, maternal health, and other life-saving services have had their funding jeopardized, and that rescinding congressionally mandated funding is illegal and has already been blocked by a federal judge. The lawmakers conclude by requesting a meeting with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy and his staff no later than April 22, 2025. 

The letter was signed by the entire Democratic New York delegation totaling 19 lawmakers. This includes: Representatives Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), George Latimer (NY-16), John Mannion (NY-22), Grace Meng (NY-06), Joseph Morelle (NY-25), Josh Riley (NY-19), Patrick Ryan (NY-18), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), and Nydia Velázquez (NY-07).   

Read the full letter, here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) and 17 other Members of Congress sent a letter to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) urging it to reverse its March 25 directive ending Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s support for Special Purpose Credit Programs (SPCPs).

SPCPs are authorized under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act which help address systemic inequities in housing by expanding access to mortgage credit for minority, low-income, rural, and first-time homebuyers. In 2023, these programs helped more than 14,000 households secure affordable home loans and over $5 million in down payment and closing cost assistance.

“For far too long, structural disparities in our housing and lending markets have excluded historically marginalized communities, especially low-income families and rural residents from homeownership and the opportunity to build generational wealth,” said Congressman Meeks. “Rolling back support for SPCPs undercuts that progress and sends the wrong message about our commitment to equity.”

Rep. Meeks urges FHFA to immediately reconsider this harmful directive and pursue inclusive solutions that move us closer to fair and affordable homeownership for everyone.

Read the full letter, here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) and other elected officials from Queens issued the following joint statement on the Trump Administration’s decision to revoke federal money to address flooding in Queens, in particular cuts to the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program. The elected officials include Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, State Senators John Liu and Jessica Ramos; Assembly Members Catalina Cruz, Larinda Hooks, Jessica González-Rojas and Nily Rozic; and Council Members Francisco Moya and Sandra Ung.

“The Administration’s decision to slash more than $300 million in federal funding for infrastructure projects across New York State is unacceptable and it will have devastating impacts in Queens. This includes vital funding to combat flooding, such as cutting $46 million through the Kissena Corridor Cloudburst Hub and $47 million for the Corona East Cloudburst Hub. We all remember how Hurricane Ida wreaked havoc on our borough. Lives were lost, and homes and businesses sustained extensive damage. We fought hard for these needed funds and without the money, more lives and property will be put at risk. We should be better prepared against the threat of future flooding and mitigate the effects of severe storms and heavy rainfall which we continue to experience year after year. But slashing this funding will leave us less prepared and susceptible to more devastation. We urge the administration to immediately abandon this reckless decision.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

Congresswoman’s constituent, Luke Graziani, has been rehired after he was her guest at the President’s address to Congress last month to stand against mass terminations of federal employees; Graziani was among these tens of thousands of laid off workers

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

QUEENS, NY – Today, U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens) hailed NASA Astronaut Jonny Kim – who recently visited Queens – for arrivingat the International Space Station this morning in his first spaceflight.  

In October 2022, Meng brought Kim to the borough where he met and spoke with local students at Francis Lewis High School in Fresh Meadows and the Queens College School for Math, Science and Technology in Flushing. Meng and Kim also hosted a luncheon with local Korean American leaders in Flushing.

During his trip to Queens, Meng introduced him to the students, and Kim talked about becoming an astronaut, space exploration, overcoming challenges and his remarkable life and career.  

“I remember seeing the excitement from Queens students when Jonny Kim came to their school and how they were inspired by his story,” said Meng. “I’m thrilled to now see him arriving in space and I wish him all the best in this important mission.”

Kim arrived at the International Space Station with two Russian cosmonauts and is scheduled to stay aboard the orbital outpost for eight months. During the mission, he will conduct scientific research in technology development, Earth science, biology, human research and more. 

A child of South Korean immigrants, Kim was selected by NASA in 2017 after serving as a U.S. Navy SEAL, receiving the Silver Star and Bronze Star and earning a medical degree from Harvard Medical School. 

Meng is the top Democrat on the House subcommittee that funds NASA and is proud to have secured money for the space agency to fund missions like these.    

Kim’s full bio can be viewed here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Grace Meng (6th District of New York)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-NY), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies, wrote a letter to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) Acting Administrator Janet Petro making her own recommendations on how the agency can improve efficiency, support the dedicated employees, and strengthen the United States’ leadership in space exploration.

Recently, Acting Administrator Petro called on NASA employees to submit suggestions to senior leadership on how the agency can improve efficiency and support the President’s “Workforce Optimization Initiative”, including methods to streamline processes, create new and better ways of working, and focus limited resources on future mission success.

In her letter, Rep. Meng wrote, “I understand you recently invited NASA employees to share ideas to improve the agency’s efficiency. I applaud this invitation, and I hope you will pay close attention to these ideas. As you know, however, many of these employees find themselves in fear of losing their jobs and of adverse changes to the mission and capabilities of NASA. In acknowledgment of our shared support for NASA and its outstanding employees, and in support of a strong NASA that leads the world in science and human space exploration, I offer to you several ideas of my own that can improve NASA and America’s space industry and the 373,000 jobs it provides.”

Meng’s suggestions are:

1. Work with the White House and others in this Administration to end the self-destructive Trump tariff tax before it damages the commercial space industry and the Artemis program.
2. Do not cut scientific research in the Fiscal Year 2026 budget request.
3. Do not abandon NASA’s commitment to STEM education.
4. Make public NASA’s ethics arrangements with Elon Musk and his staff.

Meng serves as Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS), which oversees NASA. Each year, the agency receives more than $20 billion in federal funding. NASA leads the study of Earth science, the solar system, and the larger universe, conducting cutting-edge research to advance science and technology and improve the lives of people all over the world.

A copy of the letter can be viewed here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

WASHINGTON – Today, Reps. Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Shontel Brown (D-OH) sent a letter to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requesting answers on the continued delay in implementing a ban on formaldehyde in hair products.

 

The FDA issued the proposed rule in October 2023 following a March letter from Reps. Pressley and Brown calling for an investigation into the health risks posed by chemical hair straighteners. The agency set an April 2024 implementation timeline but missed its own deadline. Although the proposed rule was added to the OMB Unified Agenda last fall, the target action date of March 2025 has passed with no further progress.

 

“Since Fall 2024, there has been no further movement or concrete next steps regarding the implementation of the ban” wrote the lawmakers.

 

Formaldehyde is a known carcinogen found in hair relaxers, keratin treatments, and other chemical straighteners. Its use has been linked to cancer, respiratory illness, and adverse reproductive outcomes. The letter notes that women of color are disproportionately at risk.

“Of particular concern is the heightened health risk to Black women, who are more likely to receive or provide formaldehyde-based hair treatments, which has a disparate impact on both workers and their customers,” the lawmakers continued.

 

The letter follows previous outreach from Reps. Velázquez, Pressley, and Brown in August 2024, when they again urged the FDA to finalize the proposed rule.

 

In the letter, the lawmakers call on the FDA to finalize the proposed rule and ask for answers to the following questions:

 

• Given the delay, what steps have been taken since our last inquiry to advance the formaldehyde ban?
• Are there any current or upcoming changes to federal regulations that would impact the finalization of the proposed rule?
• How is the FDA prioritizing this issue relative to other regulatory efforts? Are there specific challenges delaying the finalization of the rule?
• Beyond formaldehyde, does the FDA plan to examine other hazardous chemicals commonly found in personal care products, particularly those disproportionately affecting women and communities of color? If so, what substances are under consideration?

 

“It is essential to continue to highlight the gravity of formaldehyde exposure, as evidenced by both epidemiological data and laboratory research,” the letter concludes. “Ensuring that regulatory actions align with the best interests of public health remains the goal and we encourage promptly finalizing a proposed rule.”

 

For a full copy of the letter, click here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

WASHINGTON– Today, Congresswomen Nydia Velázquez (D-NY) and Delia C. Ramirez (D-IL) led 21 House Democrats in sending a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio demanding answers and accountability for the transfer of individuals from U.S. custody to the Terrorism Confinement Center (CECOT) in El Salvador, a prison widely condemned for human rights abuses.
 
“We write to you with the utmost urgency and grave concern regarding the forced transfer of individuals from United States custody to a state of imprisonment in El Salvador, where they face a well-documented and imminent risk of torture, abuse, and other egregious human rights violations at CECOT,” the lawmakers wrote. “These transfers not only violate fundamental principles of international law, but they also violate U.S. laws and our nation’s commitment to human rights.”
 
The letter cites serious concerns about violations of the Foreign Affairs Reform and Restructuring Act of 1998 and the Convention Against Torture, which prohibit the U.S. from sending individuals to countries where they face a real risk of torture or inhumane treatment.
 
Velázquez and Ramirez point to extreme overcrowding, the absence of due process, and the systematic use of torture and cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment inside CECOT, as reported by human rights organizations and journalists.
 
They also directly challenge Secretary Rubio’s recent claim that El Salvador complies with all the international requirements for imprisonment. The letter demands written proof from El Salvador that CECOT meets international human rights standards and calls for an immediate halt to additional transfers.
 
The letter includes a series of detailed questions for the Department, including whether the U.S. has paid El Salvador to imprison people, what legal authority supports such actions, what safeguards exist for those detained in error, and whether the Office of the Legal Adviser reviewed the legality of the transfers.
 
“The United States has a solemn legal and moral duty to uphold international law and the U.S. Constitution,” the lawmakers continued. “Anything less would constitute an unconscionable abdication of our nation’s commitment to human rights and the rule of law.”
 
In addition to Velázquez and Ramirez, the letter was also signed by Reps. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Maxine Waters (D-CA), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), John Garamendi (D-CA), Darren Soto (D-FL), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Greg Casar (D-TX), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Robert Garcia (D-CA), Chuy Garcia (D-IL), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ).
 
For a full copy of the letter, click here.
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, voted in favor of the House budget resolution, which formally establishes the budgetary framework for fiscal year 2025 and sets appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2026-2036.

The resolution serves as a framework for House Republicans to advance President Trump’s legislative priorities, including border funding, energy policy, and tax cuts.

“The American people made it clear in November: they want Congress to secure all of our nation’s borders, rein in wasteful spending, and expand American energy production. This budget resolution does just that,” Rep. Kelly said. “2025 is the Super Bowl of Tax. This resolution aims to deliver on the entirety of President Trump’s agenda and fulfill our commitment to the American people.”

Major portions of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act are set to expire in 2025. In April 2024, Rep. Kelly and Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (R-MO) announced the formation of ten Committee Tax Teams, comprised of Ways and Means Republican members, to address key tax provisions from the 2017 Trump tax cuts that are set to expire in 2025 and to identify legislative solutions that will continue to help families, workers, and small businesses. This included a historic Ways & Means field hearing in Erie in May 2024.

You can learn more about Rep. Kelly’s recent work here.