MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today led 16 House Democrats in urging the immediate reinstatement of the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources and its personnel amid severe disruptions following the closure of the Strait of Hormuz and damage to key energy infrastructure caused by the Trump administration’s reckless war of choice in Iran, which has intensified volatility in global energy markets and driven up oil and gas prices. The Members warned that these shocks are cascading through global supply chains, driving up costs for transportation, manufacturing, and essential consumer goods, and further straining American household budgets.

In calling for the reversal of recent staff terminations and the DOGE-mandated dismantling of the State Department’s energy diplomacy apparatus, the lawmakers emphasized that at a moment of heightened global instability, the U.S. urgently needs dedicated subject matter expertise and a fully staffed Bureau of Energy Resources. They highlighted the Bureau’s critical role in coordinating interagency efforts, engaging with foreign governments, and advancing U.S. leadership in global energy initiatives. The lawmakers further warned that the loss of dedicated energy expertise within the State Department could leave the United States less prepared to respond to rapidly evolving global energy flows.

In a letter addressed to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Members wrote:

“Dear Secretary Rubio:

The Administration’s war with Iran resulted in the immediate reactive closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas travels, as well as damage to energy infrastructure in the Middle East. This has cascading impacts across every industry and supply chain dependent on oil and gas, not to mention increased domestic energy prices for the average American family. Given this, we write to urge you to reverse the closure of the Department of State’s Bureau of Energy Resources (Bureau) and immediately reinstate the Bureau staff and subject matter experts that were terminated at the request of the Department of Government Efficiency.

We need energy expertise to lessen damage from this poorly thought through war and to help navigate its effects on the global energy supply chain. Congress and then President George W. Bush recognized that energy diplomacy and security was integral to the State Department’s mission when it established a Coordinator for International Energy Affairs within the Office of the Secretary of State back in 2007. Building off that Congressional recognition and need for a designated entity within the Department of State, the Bureau was established in 2011. Since its establishment, the Bureau has provided geopolitical energy expertise to both Republican and Democratic Administrations, engaged in robust interagency coordination efforts, and acted as a liaison for foreign governments with the goal of solidifying U.S. leadership in global energy initiatives. Without the staff expertise this Bureau provides, the U.S. will continue to stumble like a bull in a china shop in geopolitical energy conversations as the situation evolves in the Midde East and the Strait of Hormuz. Reinstating the Bureau and its experts is the best course forward for mitigating damage and helping prevent further market shocks that poor planning has done thus far.

Americans continue to feel the easily anticipated consequences of the President’s actions in Iran that this Bureau might have helped prevent. We are still learning the longstanding impacts that this war will have on the energy supply chain and the pocketbook of the American taxpayer. American families should not have to weather these high energy prices and global energy shocks that this war is causing. We should be looking for solutions that prevent widespread fear, confusion, and strains on household budgets. Therefore, it is time to reopen the State Department’s Bureau of Energy Resources and reinstate the geopolitical energy experts that were terminated last summer.”

The letter is signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Sean Casten (D-IL), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX), Danny Davis (D-IL), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Bill Keating (D-MA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Dave Min (D-CA), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Marc Veasey (D-TX), and James Walkinshaw (D-VA).

A signed copy of the letter is available here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (NY-05) spoke on the House floor urging for a 3-year extension of Temporary Protected Status for Haitians. He called for swift action to protect families during ongoing crises in Haiti. The measure passed the House and waits action from the Senate.

REP. MEEKS: M. Speaker – I rise today in strong support of Representative Gillen’s bill to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haitians until 2029. 

It is frankly outrageous that it took Representative Pressley’s bipartisan discharge petition to force this consequential vote. 

The Administration and the Speaker failed to act, but today, Congress has the chance to make this right.

Because the American people recognize that our Haitian neighbors, from Miami to Boston to Queens, are not strangers, but integral parts of our communities, our churches, and our families.

The American people recognize that the conditions in Haiti don’t just meet, but surpass the threshold for TPS. 

We are talking about one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world where armed gangs control 90% of the capital, a public health system is nearing collapse, the justice system is almost non-existent, and 1.4 million people are internally displaced, fleeing from violence and hunger.

You don’t have to take my word for it. Look at the U.S. State Department’s own travel advisory issued under this administration. It says plainly, quote, “Do not travel to Haiti due to kidnapping, crime, terrorist activity, civil unrest, and limited health care,” end quote.

So, we must do everything in our power to prevent further harm during this humanitarian crisis – and we can start by passing this bill.

There’s a reason the words at the base of the Statue of Liberty read “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.” 

It’s because America is at its strongest when we stand for humanity here at home and abroad. I yield back.

Watch the full floor speech here.  

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

Today, U.S. Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) announced she secured $45,271,629 in federal grant funding for the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor to support a wide range of research initiatives, including aging, nursing, neurological disorders, cancer, and more. The funding comes from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and was made possible by Congresswoman Dingell’s advocacy. 

“This funding will bolster the University of Michigan’s leadership in research and innovation,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “These federal grants are a powerful investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our communities, and I am proud to have secured this money. I will never stop working to deliver federal resources to Michigan that secure better treatments and improve patient outcomes.”

Projects receiving funding include:

• $2,401,493 for Diabetes Endocrinology and Metabolic Research 

• $1,097,482 for Heart and Vascular Diseases Research 

• $609,097 for Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 

• $2,700,816 for Aging Research 

• $3,394,567 for Cancer Research 

• $2,199,878 for Research for Mothers and Children 

• $2,849,058 for Allergy Immunology and Transplantation Research 

• $553,631 for B – Cooperative Agreements 

• $616,719 for Biological Research Related to Deafness and Communicative Disorders 

• $4,688,085 for Biological Response to Environmental Health Hazards 

• $555,533 for Biomedical Research and Research Training 

• $1,325,195 for Clinical Research Related to Neurological Disorders 

• $609,097 for Discovery and Applied Research for Technological Innovations to Improve Human Health 

• $11,050,452 for Drug Abuse and Addiction Research Programs 

• $1,757,617 for Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders

• $741,396 for Lung Diseases Research 

• $234,000 for Mental Health Research Grants 

• $1,072,090 for Oral Diseases and Disorders Research 

• $6,115,137 for Pharmacology Physiology and Biological Chemistry Research 

• $700,286 for Vision Research

A full list of projects receiving grant funding can be found HERE.

HHS is the largest grant-making agency in the United States. Most HHS grants are provided directly to states, territories, tribes, and educational and community organizations, then distributed to eligible individuals and organizations. For more information on HHS grants, click here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley, Markey, McGovern Conducted Check In with Öztürk at Louisiana ICE Facility in April 2025, Welcomed Her Home Following Release from ICE Detention

Pressley Has Stood in Vigorous Defense of Immigrant Communities in MA 7^th and Nationwide, Fighting to Bring Detained Neighbors Home

Rep. Pressley’s Social Media Post

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) issued a heartfelt message saying goodbye to her constituent, Rümeysa Öztürk, a Somerville resident and PhD graduate who has chosen to return to her home country, Turkey, after being unlawfully detained and subjected to inhumane conditions by the Trump Administration in retaliation for her protected speech.

In April 2025, Congresswoman Pressley, Sen. Markey, and Rep. James P. McGovern traveled to ICE facilities in Basile and Jena, where Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil were being unlawfully detained. In May 2025, at her request, the lawmakers welcomed Ms. Öztürk at Logan Airport following her release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention in Louisiana.

The Congresswoman’s social media post is here and the text of her message is available below:

“Rumeysa, saying goodbye is deeply bittersweet. From the moment we met behind the wall, I felt an immediate kinship with you. Even in the midst of trauma, fear, and uncertainty, your light shone through. You spoke first not about yourself, but about the women detained alongside you—carrying their stories in your heart and in carefully written notes, like the brilliant researcher you are.

What Donald Trump and his administration subjected you to is a shameful injustice, and it will always be a stain on American history. Like so many, you were criminalized for exercising your First Amendment rights. You were incarcerated for seeing the dignity and humanity of the Palestinian people. And you were forced to endure unspeakable trauma as part of their coordinated attempt to intimidate, instill fear, and rip away the fundamental rights of everyone who calls this country home.

But despite it all, you persevered. You pressed forward, finishing your studies and contributing to our community through your scholarship, advocacy, and humanity.

You deserved so much better.

Thank you for everything you gave to our Commonwealth and country, and for the courage and compassion you showed in even the darkest moments. Please know that the Massachusetts 7th will always be your home, and I will be forever proud to call you my constituent and fight for your rights.”

Photo credit: Rep. Ayanna Pressley’s Office

Following Öztürk’s abduction and detention, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Senator Markey, Ranking Member Bennie Thompson, Congressman Jim McGovern, and Congressman Troy Carter sent a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) seeking more information on the detention conditions of immigrants held at the Central Louisiana ICE Processing Center (CLIPC) and the South Louisiana ICE Processing Center (SLIPC) after an oversight trip to the facilities.

On May 7, 2025, Pressley, Markey, and McGovern applauded the Second Circuit for ordering Rümeysa’s transfer from ICE custody in Louisiana to Vermont and rejecting the Trump administration’s attempt to delay complying with a lower court order to do so.

In a powerful New York Times op-ed, Pressley, Markey, and McGovern discussed their meeting with Ms. Öztürk in detention and warned the American people of the dangers posed by the Trump administration’s unlawful attacks on our constitutional rights to freedom of speech and due process. Full text of the op-ed is available here.

Rep. Pressley, along with Sens. Warren and Markey, have pushed for answers and action since Öztürk’s March arrest. In March 2025, they led over 30 lawmakers in writing to Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Acting Director for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Todd Lyons, demanding information about Öztürk’s arrest and detention as well as similar incidents across the country.

In April 2025, the lawmakers sounded the alarm on Öztürk’s medical neglect in DHS custody and renewed urgent calls for her release. Pressley, Warren and Markey demanded Secretary of State Rubio released any documents related to her arrest after a recent report indicated that an internal State Department memo concluded that the key premise underlying Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk’s arrest and detention was false. Congresswoman Pressley issued a statement condemning reports that ICE arrested and detained Rümeysa Öztürk, an international student with legal status in a graduate program at Tufts University. 

In the Massachusetts 7^th, Rep. Pressley has recognized and supported the many families torn apart and children suffering from the detention of a loved one—including harrowing attacks on Massachusetts families in their daily lives, abductions of dedicated workers at the Allston car wash, pushing to bring Rümeysa Öztürk home, and more.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) this week pressed for stronger investments in MacDill Air Force Base and higher pay for MacDill civilians and service members, and military families in testimony before the House Armed Services Committee, outlining key priorities for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Representing the Tampa Bay region—anchored by MacDill AFB, home to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) and U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—Castor called for targeted investments to strengthen national security and improve quality of life for service members and their families.

I recommend investments “of critical importance to MacDill presently: the strength of SOCOM, the quality and accountability of base housing, and the retention of the civilian workforce,” said Rep. Castor. “I look forward to working with members and staff of this committee to advance the priorities I have presented in efforts to support MacDill’s personnel and families, and our military as a whole, within a strong NDAA for Fiscal Year 2027.”

Read her written testimony here and view her recorded remarks here.

In her testimony, Castor urged Congress to:

• Strengthen SOCOM by increasing resources and modernizing its aging headquarters at MacDill. 
• Improve military housing by holding private contractors accountable for unsafe conditions. 
• Address pay disparities affecting the civilian workforce caused by outdated locality pay designations. 

Castor emphasized how these priorities are critical to supporting the more than 16,000 personnel and thousands of military families across the Tampa Bay region.

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

NEW ORLEANS, La. —Last week, Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) hosted Congressman Cleo Fields (D-La.), Congressman Craig Goldman (R-Texas), and Congressman Bob Onder (R-Mo.) for his annual Offshore Energy Tour. The trip included a tour of Occidental’s Holstein deepwater energy platform in the Gulf of America, a roundtable with Louisiana energy leaders, and a tour of Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG facility. Thanks to President Trump and Republicans’ policies, America’s energy dominance is returning, and Louisiana energy producers are a key reason why.Below are photos from the tour.Leader Scalise and his colleagues depart for Occidental’s Holstein deepwater platform, which produces oil and gas in more than 4,000 feet of water.

Leader Scalise speaks with Occidental personnel after landing on the platform.

Leader Scalise and Representatives Onder and Fields on the Holstein platform, about 100 miles off the Louisiana coast.

Leader Scalise kicks off the Louisiana energy industry roundtable. Representatives from the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, South Central Industrial Association, and several energy companies operating in the Gulf of America join the discussion to highlight Louisiana’s critical role in our energy and national security. 

The group visits Venture Global’s Plaquemines LNG facility, which accounted for 65% of all new LNG capacity globally in 2025 and supports approximately 1,400 jobs in Louisiana.

Leader Scalise and his colleagues are briefed by Venture Global personnel during the tour.

The group gathers in front of an LNG vessel soon departing across the globe to deliver enough energy to power 45,000 homes in Poland for a year.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

April 17, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.), Tom Suozzi (D-N.Y.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), and Gus Bilirakis (R-Fla.) introduced the SEPTIC Act, legislation to create a uniform federal income-tax exclusion for financial assistance provided to homeowners for septic system replacement.
The SEPTIC Act ensures that grants, subsidies, or financial assistance provided by state and local governments for septic system repair, replacement, or connection to centralized sewer systems are not treated as taxable income under federal law. 
“Families shouldn’t be taxed for making critical upgrades that protect their health, water quality and their communities,” said Rep. Steube. “Florida represents 12% of the United States’ septic systems. Failing septic systems pose serious risk to our water supply and public health. In Florida alone, approximately 2.6 million households rely on septic systems, making this an issue that impacts millions of families across our state. The SEPTIC Act ensures homeowners can access assistance to fix these systems without being hit with an unexpected tax bill.”
“Families shouldn’t be taxed for doing the right thing,” said Congressman Tom Suozzi. “On Tax Day, Americans across the country were reminded of how much they already pay in taxes. Upgrading a septic system protects our drinking water, safeguards public health, and preserves our environment. The federal government should be encouraging that, not making it more expensive. This commonsense, bipartisan bill reduces the tax burden on homeowners who are trying to do the responsible thing for their families and their communities.”
“Florida’s 2.6 million septic system households shouldn’t be taxed for improving their wastewater systems and protecting our clean water. The SEPTIC Act ensures septic replacement grants aren’t treated as taxable income, helping families upgrade failing systems, protect public health, and safeguard local waterways without unnecessary financial burden. I am pleased to join Congressman Suozzi in this effort,” said Congressman Aaron Bean.
“Outdated septic systems in Hernando, Citrus, and Pasco Counties threaten the health of our waterways and communities,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “I am proud to co-lead the SEPTIC Act to authorize septic replacement grants that will help modernize aging systems, reduce pollution, and protect Florida’s natural resources for future generations. This commonsense legislation supports homeowners, strengthens infrastructure, and helps preserve the waterways that are vital to our economy and way of life.”
Background: In Sarasota County, the Phillippi Creek Septic System Replacement Program has helped improve water quality by assisting homeowners transitioning from septic systems to centralized sewer service. 
While Sarasota’s program is structured to afford tax-exempt assistance, this bill creates a uniform federal income-tax exclusion for all septic system subsidies across the country. In Florida alone, nearly 30% of residents rely on septic systems, making this a critical issue for our communities. 
Americans rely on septic systems for wastewater treatment, especially in rural and coastal communities. In Florida, approximately 2.6 million households depend on septic systems, which represents nearly 12 percent of all septic systems in the United States. 
Over time, aging and failing septic systems can leak harmful contaminants into groundwater, rivers, and other coastal ecosystems, contributing to water quality degradation and public health risks.
To address these issues, many state and local governments have established programs that provide financial assistance to homeowners to repair or replace failing systems or connect to centralized sewer infrastructure. However, under current federal tax law, some of this is treated as taxable income, creating a financial burden for participating homeowners. 
Under current law, the tax code is unclear if these financial assistance programs are not subject to federal income tax. The SEPTIC Act creates a clear federal income-tax exclusion for septic replacement assistance, so families can access critical upgrades without unexpected tax assessments.
Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

Washington, D.C. — Tuesday, April 14, 2026, Representatives Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), French Hill (AR-02), Richard McCormick (GA-06), and Shomari Figures (AL-02) introduced the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Research Capacity Act to creates a federal clearinghouse to ensure HBCUs can see what grants they are eligible for.

This legislation is a companion of S. 4167, led by Senators Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Katie Britt (D-LA). 

“HBCUs have always punched above their weight. HBCUs contribute nearly $16.5 billion to the economy every year despite receiving less than 1% of federal research funding. That gap isn’t a reflection of merit, it’s a reflection of decades of systemic underfunding,” said Rep. Alma Adams, Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus.  “The HBCU Research Capacity Act will help by giving our institutions a clear path to federal grant opportunities. I’m proud to champion this House companion with Representatives Hill, McCormick, and Figures and alongside Senators Warnock and Britt to ensure HBCUs receive the funding they have earned.”

“Historically Black Colleges and Universities, including the four we are blessed to have here in Arkansas, have been a source of opportunity and innovation for generations,” said Rep. Hill, Co-Chair of the Congressional Bipartisan HBCU Caucus. “Despite their outsized contributions, HBCUs receive a fraction of the federal research funding available to them. The HBCU Research Capacity Act takes a practical step toward changing that by ensuring these institutions have the information and tools they need to compete for federal dollars and continue fulfilling their vital mission for generations to come.”

“The time to act is now if we want to keep America leading in the world of STEM. Our nation’s HBCUs are producing some of the brightest minds in science and technology, even as they face real funding challenges,” said Congressman Richard McCormick. “I’m proud to co-sponsor the HBCU Research Capacity Act that ensures these students can stay ahead in the global technology race, which starts with investing in our own talent.”

“HBCUs have a long-standing track record of making significant contributions to our nation’s economy and workforce despite being consistently underfunded,” said Rep. Shomari C. Figures. “With Alabama being home to the most HBCUs in the nation, this bill is a game-changer for the institutions in my state at the forefront of research and development because it creates a one-stop shop for all federal research funding opportunities. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bipartisan legislation, and I will continue fighting for HBCUs to receive the resources they need to continue training and educating the next generation of leaders, researchers, and scholars.”

Background

The HBCU Research Capacity Act would:

• Establish a federal clearinghouse to provide a centralized source of information on federal grant opportunities available to HBCUs.
• Ensure HBCUs receive consistent and timely updates on research and development funding opportunities across federal agencies.
• Provide best practices and guidance to help institutions strengthen research capacity and improve competitiveness for federal grants.
• Encourage coordination across key federal agencies to better align funding opportunities and reduce barriers to access.
• Promote transparency and accountability through regular reporting to Congress and participating institutions.
• Direct agencies to review grant programs and identify gaps in support for HBCU participation.

The text of the bill can be found here.