MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Last week, Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee Chairman Mike Kelly (R-PA) and Ranking Member Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) re-introduced the bipartisan Mental Health Research Accelerator Act to incentivize private companies with financial resources to collaborate with academic or nonprofit research institutions on neurological and mental health research to tackle the root causes of mental health conditions.

“When it comes to addressing mental health access and care, we must utilize every tool in our toolbox,” Rep. Kelly said. “This new legislation allows us to make America’s tax system work for the American people by incentivizing research partnerships into brain health. I’m proud to work with my Ways and Means Committee colleague, Rep. Mike Thompson, on this vital legislation.”

“Investing in brain research is key to addressing the root causes of mental health conditions, not just managing the symptoms,” Rep. Thompson said. “Mental illness is often at the core of challenges like homelessness, substance abuse, and workplace struggles. Simply funding symptom management isn’t enough—we must get ahead of the problem by advancing research that can prevent these issues from arising in the first place. I’m proud to partner with Rep. Kelly to support this critical work and help drive meaningful progress.”

“Today, more than 60 million Americans suffer from a mental illness. Recent work by Price Water House Coopers estimated that the economic burden of mental illness was more than $1 trillion annually, not counting the value of human life associated with the almost 50,000 deaths by suicide. Research from the pharmaceutical industry has moved away from mental illness drugs because of the cost and risks involved. H.R. 2085 will provide necessary economic incentives for industry to partner with research universities across our country to engage in public-private partnerships that will have the potential to find new drugs and treatments but also to provide new jobs. This is a non-partisan issue and merits the support of everyone,” said Garen Staglin, Founder of the One Mind Foundation.

BACKGROUND

The Mental Health Research Accelerator Act provides $10 billion in allocable tax credits over a six-year period. The credits are available to nonprofits, state and local agencies, and private companies who collaborate on neurological research.

Because of the high cost of neurological research, and the challenges in producing market-viable products, there is not enough investment in cutting edge neurological research. The credit is capped at 25 percent of allowable expenses and is a competitive credit to be allocated based on merit, as determined by the Treasury Department. Any credits not allocated by the end of the window are simply deemed moot and returned to Treasury unless the credit is extended by Congress.

Read the full text of the bill here.

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

Washington, DC – Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press availability with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House and Senate Democratic leaders where they made clear that Democrats remain united in pushing back against the reckless Republican tax scheme.

Leader Jeffries: We had another excellent meeting with our Senate Democratic colleagues. Thank you, Leader Schumer, for hosting us today. We are unified in our opposition to the Republican effort to enact the largest Medicaid cut in American history. That’s a disgrace and it will hurt people all across the country. We are unified in our effort to protect and strengthen Social Security. It’s not an entitlement program. It’s an earned benefit. Senate Democrats and House Democrats will continue to stand together in defense of Social Security. We are unified in our effort to improve the quality of life of the American people.

America right now is too expensive. The cost of living is too high. President Donald Trump promised that costs would go down on day one. He lied to the American people. Costs aren’t going down. They’re going up. Inflation is going up. And Republicans are crashing the economy in real time, increasing costs, reducing retirement savings and driving America toward a Republican recession. So House and Senate Democrats are unified in defense of the American people, pushing back against their extreme budget plan to take away healthcare, nutritional assistance and veterans benefits from the American people, all in service of tax cuts for their billionaire donors like Elon Musk. As Leader Schumer indicated, House Democrats and Senate Democrats together next week will have a Save Social Security Day of Action on Tuesday, and then a Medicaid Matters Day of Action on Thursday, and then the week after that, a week of action around the cost of living in America.

Leader Jeffries’ remarks can be found here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, along with advocates for the TAKE IT DOWN Act, issued the following statements of support after the bill was reported out of Committee by a vote of 49 to 1.

“No man, woman, or child should be subjected to the spread of explicit AI images meant to target and harass innocent victims. I am so thankful for our outstanding advocates and legislators who have worked hard to raise awareness and build a strong coalition to support this bipartisan bill,”said Chairman Guthrie. “Today, the Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced the bill to the full House of Representatives, where I look forward to, once again, voting in favor of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, so that we can send it to the President’s desk for signature.”

“I remain dedicated to championing child well-being, ensuring that every young person can thrive and ‘Be Best.’ Thank you to the House Energy & Commerce Committee for advancing the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This marks a significant step in our bipartisan efforts to safeguard our children from online threats,” said First Lady Melania Trump. “I urge Congress to swiftly pass this important legislation. Together, we can create a safer, brighter future for all Americans!”

“I am glad we are one step closer to protecting victims of online sexual exploitation. Giving victims rights to flag non-consensual images and requiring social media companies to remove that content quickly is a pivotal and necessary change to the online landscape,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. “And by ensuring that AI-generated deep-fake content is included in these protections, Congress is showing its commitment to fighting 21st Century harms that are plaguing our children and grandchildren.”

“In February, our family mourned the loss of our loving son and brother, Elijah Heacock, after he fell victim to an extortion scheme on the internet,” said Shannon Cronister-Heacock, mother of Elijah Heacock. “We are grateful for the support of Chairman Guthrie and the House Committee on Energy and Commerce for passing the TAKE IT DOWN Act today to ensure that no parent, sibling, or loved one experiences a similar tragedy in the future. This bill honors Elijah’s life, and we are appreciative of Congress’ actions to protect children online and save lives.”

“I was only fourteen years old when one of my classmates created deepfake, AI nudes of me and distributed them on social media. I was shocked, violated, and felt unsafe going to school. Thankfully, I was able to work with Senator Ted Cruz’s office to write the TAKE IT DOWN Act — and today is an important milestone towards that bill becoming law, so that no other girl has to go through what I went through without legal protections in place,”said Elliston Berry, survivor and advocate. “Thank you to Chairman Guthrie for prioritizing the TAKE IT DOWN Act for committee passage.”

“At 14, for almost two years, I stood alone, advocating for AI deep fake laws to protect us after my school’s inaction and lack of accountability insulted my self-respect. This journey is dedicated to every woman and teenager who was told to stay silent and move on. It is also a testament to the courageous bipartisan leaders who stood beside me, proving that change is possible. Today, we celebrate a critical step towards the passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act into federal law,”said Francesca Mani, AI victim turned advocate & TIME100 AI Most Influential Person.“A heartfelt thank you to Chairman Guthrie for standing with us and making swift committee passage possible. We are no longer alone.”

“Today, we celebrate an important victory with House committee passage of the TAKE IT DOWN Act, a federal safeguard against non-consensual AI-generated intimate images,”said Dorota Mani, an educator, advocate, and mother. “This important legislation, which is now well on its way to the President’s desk, staunchly defends our women and children while preserving every American’s dignity and rights.”

“Survivors—both minors and adults—deserve protection and justice. Every survivor should be able to report their abuse to law enforcement, have their abuse content removed fully and abusers should be found and held appropriately accountable. Image-based sexual abuse is sexual assault facilitated online. You cannot accidentally sexual assault someone offline and the same should be true for the online. The harms of all forms of image-based sexual abuse—including deepfake abuse—quickly follow that victim home, to school, to work and anywhere they try to exist after such a profound and public trauma,”said Andrea Powell, Co-Founder and Chief of Impact, Alecto AI. “Alecto AI supports the TAKE IT DOWN Act because we believe that in its passage, we will be getting closer to a world where young women and girls don’t have worry that being online means being targets of sexual violence. All survivors deserve protection and justice.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Gus Bilirakis (FL-12)

TAMPA, FL – This week, Representatives Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Kathy Castor (FL-14), Vern Buchanan (FL-16), and Darren Soto (FL-9) introduced critical bipartisan legislation to permanently prohibit oil and natural gas exploration, development, and production off Florida’s coast. 

“We’ve seen the long-lasting harm that can come from oil spills including: damage to the environment, disruption to marine life, and the paralysis of local economies that depend heavily on fishing, tourism, and recreation,” said Congressman Bilirakis.  “Protecting Florida’s pristine coastline from future oil spills is crucial for preserving its unique ecosystems.  Ensuring the health of the coastline will safeguard not only the environment but also the livelihoods of communities that rely on its natural beauty and resources.

“Florida is a special but fragile place, and our way of life depends on clean water. Dangerous offshore drilling can devastate both our environment and our economy, posing huge risks to everything that makes Florida special. Our Florida coasts are beloved by people across the globe. Tourism is the lifeblood of our coastal economy in the Sunshine State, so we must ensure our water, beaches, wildlife, and fishing industry in the Eastern Gulf are sustained,” said Rep. Castor. “It is imperative that future generations of Floridians see our coasts preserved. We must permanently protect these waters, our planet, our pocketbooks and our people from costly oil spills and irresponsible usage of our precious land.”

“While I support responsible investments in American energy, we must also recognize the unique importance of protecting Florida’s coastline,” said Rep. Buchanan. “The Deepwater Horizon disaster in 2010 showed just how devastating an offshore spill can be to our economy, environment and way of life. As co-chair of the bipartisan Florida congressional delegation, I remain committed to working with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to safeguard our state’s beautiful beaches and coastal waters.”

“Florida’s coastline is more than a beautiful backdrop—it’s a vital part of who we are. Our beaches and marine ecosystems support hundreds of thousands of jobs, drive tourism, sustain our fishing industries, and provide a home to some of the most unique and fragile wildlife in the world,” said Rep. Darren Soto. “Offshore drilling puts all of that at risk. One spill could devastate our economy and irreparably damage ecosystems that took generations to build. This bipartisan legislation reflects a shared commitment to safeguarding our waters—not just for today, but for every generation that comes after us. Floridians deserve clean beaches, thriving marine life, and a resilient coastal economy—and that starts with keeping oil rigs off our shores for good.”

 Endorsing organizations of the Florida Coastal Protection Act include Oceana, League of Conservation Voters, Surfrider Foundation, The CLEO Institute, Defenders of Wildlife, and Environment America.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today announced the process for applying to her office for Community Project Funding, formerly known as earmarks, for fiscal year 2026 (FY26). For a Community Project Funding request to be considered, eligible entities must submit an application by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 21^st to NortonCommunityProjectFunding@mail.house.gov.

Under the House Committee on Appropriations’ eligibility requirements for FY26, only governmental entities and public institutions of higher education will be eligible for projects under the T-HUD Economic Development Initiatives program. Memorials, museums, and commemoratives (i.e., projects named for an individual or entity) are not eligible for Community Project Funding. The subcommittees’ requirements can be found here. All projects that were included in House Reports for Fiscal Year 2025 are eligible in Fiscal Year 2026 but must be resubmitted for consideration.

Late or incomplete applications, including applications that do not provide the information required by the relevant subcommittee, will not be considered. The project must be located in the District of Columbia.

An application consists of all the information about the entity and project required by the applicable subcommittee, as well as the following:

• Name of the recipient
• Address of the recipient
• Amount of the request
• Explanation of the request, including purpose, and a justification for why it is an appropriate use of taxpayer funds
• Evidence of community support
• If on behalf of a non-profit, evidence the entity is a non-profit organization as described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, and evidence non-profit’s work is primarily focused on D.C.

The Appropriations Committee is only permitting certain programs within specific subcommittees, listed below, that are going to participate in the Community Project Funding process.

Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies

• Department of Agriculture–Farm Production and Conservation Programs
  • Natural Resources Conservation Service (Conservation Operations)
• Department of Agriculture–Research, Education, and Economics
  • Agricultural Research Service (Buildings and Facilities)
• Department of Agriculture–Rural Development
  • Rural Housing Service (Community Facilities)
  • Rural Utilities Service (ReConnect Program)
  • Rural Utilities Service (Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants)
  • Rural Utilities Service (Rural Water and Waste Disposal Grants)

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies

• Department of Commerce
  • NIST—Scientific and Technical Research
  • NOAA—Coastal Zone Management
• Department of Justice
  • COPS Technology and Equipment
  • Byrne Justice
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration
  • Safety, Security, and Mission Services

Energy and Water Development

• Army Corps of Engineers (Civil Works)
  • Investigations
  • Construction
  • Mississippi River and Tributaries
  • Operation and Maintenance
• Department of the Interior/Bureau of Reclamation
  • Water and Related Resources

Homeland Security

• Federal Emergency Management Agency
  • Federal Assistance—Emergency Ops. Centers
  • Federal Assistance—Pre-Disaster Mitigation

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies

• Environmental Protection Agency
  • STAG—Clean Water State Revolving Fund
  • STAG—Drinking Water State Revolving Fund

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies

• Army
• Army National Guard
• Army Reserve
• Navy & Marine Corps
• Navy Reserve
• Air Force and Space Force
• Air National Guard
• Air Force Reserve
• DoD, Defense-Wide

Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

• Department of Housing and Urban Development
  • CDBG – Economic Development Initiatives
• Department of Transportation
  • Airport Improvement Program
  • Highway Infrastructure Projects
  • Transit Infrastructure Projects
  • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements
  • Port Infrastructure Development Program

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Washington, DC) — U.S. Representative Ed Case (Hawai‘i-First District) today announced introduction of his Indigenous Diplomacy and Engagement Act  “to ensure that our country’s foreign affairs efforts fully encompass and incorporate the independent interconnectedness of our world’s indigenous peoples.”

“The estimated 476 million indigenous peoples spread across all parts of our world are bound together by a common heritage, common wisdom and common challenges that transcend often artificial lines of national sovereignty,” said Case in remarks on introduction. “To recognize their international status and leverage their collective knowledge, in 2007 the international community adopted the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.”

“Rather than step away from the international stage, we must redouble efforts for meaningful engagement wherever and however we can. This includes strengthening our relationships and partnerships with international indigenous peoples to more fully include their special perspective and connectedness in an inextricably interlinked world.”

Case said that his proposal arose in part from the success of the 13^th Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture, a gathering of the indigenous peoples of Oceania in Honolulu in June 2024. “The Pacific Festival was a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of the indigenous peoples of the Pacific and of mutual commitment across national boundaries to addressing the challenges of our times, and we should take those lessons in our own responses.”

Case further said that, to better coordinate focus on indigenous peoples worldwide and engage internationally on issues important to indigenous peoples, including Native Hawaiians, his bill would create an Office for Indigenous Affairs at the Department of State responsible for coordinating all efforts of the federal government regarding diplomacy and engagements with international indigenous peoples.

“The office would be headed by a Coordinator for Indigenous Affairs, appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. The coordinator would be tasked with establishing a comprehensive international strategy for promoting diplomacy and engagement with indigenous peoples.”

“The strategy would be developed in coordination with various federal departments and agencies as well as an Advisory Commission on Indigenous Peoples established by the bill. The Commission would consist of members appointed by the Secretary of State, President Pro Tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House, as well as representatives from the National Congress of American Indians, Alaska Federation of Natives and Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the representative entities for the largest groups of our country’s own indigenous peoples. This will help more directly link our nation’s indigenous peoples with efforts to build relationship with those in other countries.”

Case added that his bill would also require Foreign Service Officers to be trained on the history and culture of indigenous communities that reside near their posts of assignment. He said Foreign Service Officers will often be the primary American officials for interaction with these communities and should be well versed in specific indigenous peoples’ issues.

·        Copy of bill is here

·        Case remarks in the Congressional Record is here

·        Pictures of Congressman Case at the Closing Ceremony for the Festival of Pacific Arts and Culture on June 16, 2024

 

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

Pair of Bills Would Address Pushout of Black Girls, Invest in Counselors and End Over-Policing of Public K-12 Schools

Ending PUSHOUT Act | Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act

WASHINGTON – Today, as Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and Republicans attack public education, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) is leading her colleagues in reintroducing a pair of bills, the Ending PUSHOUT Act and Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would collectively end the discriminatory treatment of Black and brown students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students with disabilities in schools, and invest in safe, nurturing learning environments for all students.

“Classrooms should be a place for students to learn, grow, and thrive – not be overpoliced and criminalized. With Republicans gutting public education and attacking vulnerable students, our bills would help protect our students by promoting trauma-informed policies and investing in counselors, nurses, social workers, and other trained professionals who actually make our schools safer,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m grateful to my House and Senate colleagues for their ongoing partnership and for the coalition of individuals and organizations from across the country who joined us in support of these bills. We must affirm the right for every student to learn in a setting free from fear.”

Rep. Pressley is joined by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), and Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) in reintroducing the Ending PUSHOUT Act, which would end the punitive pushout of girls of color from schools. 

“Over the last 25 years, more than $1 billion in federal funds have been used to put police officers in our nation’s schools without any evidence that this funding has improved school safety or student outcomes,” said Senator Booker. “Additionally, research shows that students of color, particularly girls, are often subjected to harsher and more frequent disciplinary action compared to their white counterparts. The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act and Ending PUSHOUT Act are critical bills that invest federal dollars in counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed personnel to support students so we can keep create safer academic environments for all students to thrive.”

“I want my granddaughter to learn, grow, and receive an education in an environment where she is loved and valued,” said Rep. Watson Coleman. “But we know, both from the data and our own experience, that this is not always the case for Black girls. They are disproportionately likely to face severe punishment for similar behaviors compared to their white peers and we must take action to dismantle this systemic discrimination. The school-to-prison pipeline is real, and it has specifically harmed and targeted Black girls. I’m proud to support Rep. Pressley’s End PUSHOUT Act to put an end to this injustice, and foster a learning environment where every student, regardless of race, gender, or ZIP code, has the opportunity to thrive.”

“It’s heartbreaking but not surprising that across the country, Black girls and Indigenous girls are still being pushed out of classrooms at staggering rates. Black students in Minnesota are eight times more likely to be suspended than white students. For Indigenous students, it’s ten times,” said Rep. Omar. “The Ending PUSHOUT Act is about creating school environments where girls of color feel safe, supported, and free to learn. I’m proud to stand with Congresswoman Pressley and Congresswoman Watson Coleman to say our girls deserve better and we’re going to fight for them.”

Rep. Pressley is joined by Congresswoman Omar (MN-05), Congresswoman Summer Lee (PA-12), and Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) in introducing the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, which would invest in safe and nurturing school climates that support all students and end over-policing in our nation’s public K-12 schools.

“Every kid deserves to feel secure and supported in their classroom. But too often students, especially kids of color and students with disabilities, are arrested at school instead of getting the help that would actually address the root causes of their behavioral issues. While a number of school districts across the country have made progress by taking police out of classrooms and giving our kids the kind of support that we know leads to better results, other schools have gone back to old rules that just punish kids but don’t help them get back on track. This legislation would put more counselors and social workers in schools and make sure school districts have the resources they need to make classrooms safe for all students,” said Senator Murphy.

“Our children deserve to feel safe, supported, and seen in their schools, not criminalized for simply being kids. Schools have increasingly relied on policing to manage behavior in our classrooms, a practice that has disproportionately harmed Black, brown, LGBTQ+, and disabled students,” said Rep. Omar. “This bill moves us toward justice by directing resources toward counselors, social workers, and the support systems our students actually need to thrive. I’m proud to join my colleagues in fighting for a future where every child has the freedom to learn in an environment that uplifts their potential instead of policing their existence.”

“Schools should be a place our students feel safe and supported without fear of surveillance or punishment,” said Rep. Summer Lee. “Rather than increasing police presence in schools, the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would invest in trauma-informed counselors and social workers to create more positive learning environments. We should be bringing students in, not pushing them out—especially marginalized students disproportionately criminalized for normal childhood and adolescent behavior.”

Across the country, the education of Black and brown students is often disrupted as a result of discriminatory and punitive discipline policies that criminalize and push them out of school. In particular, Black girls are suspended, expelled, referred to law enforcement, and arrested on school campuses at disproportionately higher rates than white girls due to unfair dress code and hair policies and a lack of understanding of the historical, social, and economic inequities such as poverty, trauma, hunger, and violence that often impact student behavior. Overall, Black girls, girls of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities are disproportionately subjected to exclusionary school discipline policies such as suspension and expulsion, which can have long-term effects on the safety, wellbeing, and academic success of all students.

Additionally, research shows that the presence of mental and behavioral health personnel in schools, like counselors, social workers, and psychologists, improves educational outcomes for kids, specifically by improving attendance and graduation rates while lowering the rates of suspension, expulsion and other disciplinary incidents. Meanwhile, the presence of police in schools leads to an increase in arrests of students — disproportionately students of color, LGBTQ+ students, and students with disabilities — often for common misbehavior that a school could address without the involvement of law enforcement. 

The Ending PUSHOUT Act will work to disrupt the school-to-confinement pathway by investing in safe and nurturing school environments for all students, especially girls of color.  Specifically, the bill would:

• Establish new federal grants to support states and schools that commit to ban unfair and discriminatory school discipline practices and improve school climate.
• Protect Civil Rights Data Collection and strengthen the Department of Education’s (ED) Office for Civil Rights (OCR).
• Establish a federal interagency taskforce to end school pushout and examine its disproportionate impact on girls of color.

The Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act would:

• Prohibit the use of federal funds for maintaining police in schools: Since 1999, the federal government has spent more than $1 billion to increase the number of police in schools. However, evidence does not show this funding has improved student outcomes and school safety. This legislation would prohibit federal funds from being used to hire or maintain police in K-12 schools, diverting that funding toward other uses related to school safety within applicable grant programs.
• Invest billions to help schools hire counselors, social workers, and other trauma-informed support personnel necessary to create safe, supportive learning environments for all students: This legislation helps schools build safe and positive learning cultures by establishing a new $5 billion grant program to support the hiring of counselors, social workers, school psychologists, and other personnel. The grant would also help schools implement programs to improve school climate, such as school-wide positive behavioral interventions and supports, as well as invest in trauma-informed services and professional development. As more schools move away from policies that criminalize students and push them out of school, this historic investment will ensure districts have the resources to provide students with the support they need to feel safe in school and thrive.

Last year, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi and House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro released a groundbreaking report they requested from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), which found that across the United States, Black girls face disproportionately severe discipline compared to other girls and receive harsher punishments than their white peers for similar behaviors. These disparities are further exacerbated for Black girls with disabilities and Black girls that are part of the LGBTQIA+ community. 

Both bills are informed by Rep. Pressley’s People’s Justice Guarantee and is a continuation of her longstanding history of working to address issues of disparate school discipline and education inequities during her tenure on the Boston City Council.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Riley Moore (WV-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Riley M. Moore issued the below statement applauding President Trump’s new executive order to reinvigorate the American coal industry.

Rep. Moore was a guest at the formal signing ceremony at the White House this afternoon.

Congressman Moore issued the following statement:

“President Trump is the first president in my lifetime to highlight the critical need for coal to power our economy and ensure national security. Today’s executive order confirms our new Golden Age will be coal-fired!

“This action from President Trump sends the right message to our brave miners and the entire energy industry at a time when ‘transitioning away’ from coal and other fossil fuels has been the number one priority of the radical climate cabal.

“We have hundreds of years of coal reserves under our feet in West Virginia, and extracting them will be critical to powering our AI revolution and continuing to provide cheap and reliable electricity for consumers.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Congresswoman Dina Titus will reintroduce her Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act with Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick this week. This bill would permanently ban the use of bump stocks that convert rifles into machine guns and allow mass shootings like the 2017 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas that claimed 60 lives.

“Nearly eight years after the Harvest Festival massacre we still do not have a federal law banning these deadly devices,” said Congresswoman Titus. “Bump stocks continue to pose a threat to innocent lives and Congress must act. Without a federal law firmly banning them, federal regulations and court rulings could allow bump stocks on our streets and in our neighborhoods, raising the risk of more mass shootings.”

It is important to act now because the Trump administration has already begun to roll back gun safety measures. Attorney General Bondi said Monday that the Department of Justice “believes that the 2nd Amendment is not a second-class right.” They are examining a requirement that people purchasing stabilizing braces, which convert pistols into rifles, undergo background checks, as well as another requirement that more gun sellers get federal licenses and undergo background checks.

“The work to close the bump stock loophole and keep these dangerous devices out of the hands of criminals is critical to our mission of protecting communities from gun violence,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick, a former federal gun crimes prosecutor and FBI agent. “This bipartisan legislation strengthens law enforcement and reinforces our commitment to safety without compromising constitutional rights. I will continue working across the aisle to advance commonsense solutions that keep our neighborhoods safe while upholding the rights of responsible gun owners. Congress can and must do both.”

The U.S. Supreme Court in June 2024 struck down a Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives regulation that classified rifles equipped with bump stocks as machine guns which are illegal. Congresswoman Titus’s Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act would prohibit the sale and possession of bump stocks and other devices or modifications that convert semiautomatic firearms into fully automatic weapons. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) has companion legislation in the U.S. Senate to ban bump stocks.

“For too long, Congress has failed to stem the onslaught of mass shootings. Our work in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act was critically important, but more must be done,” said Heinrich. “I’m introducing my BUMP Act to deliver on that unfinished work to save lives and make our communities safer. As a sportsman and gun owner, I’m committed to upholding the laws that protect responsible gun ownership, but we must do more to prevent deadly weapons from reaching those who are all too ready to turn them against our communities.”

Congresswoman Titus’ legislation is endorsed by national gun safety organizations:

“Guns outfitted with bump stocks fire like machine guns, and they kill like machine guns — and now Congress needs to take action and regulate these devices, just like we do with machine guns,” said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. “We applaud Senator Heinrich and Congresswoman Titus for championing this lifesaving legislation, which would prevent potential mass shooters from being able to wreak havoc by firing up to 800 rounds per minute.”

“As a grassroots group formed after the Sandy Hook shooting, we are committed to turning our community’s tragedy into meaningful change,” said Po Murray, Chairwoman of the Newtown Action Alliance “That’s why we strongly support the bipartisan Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act led by Representatives Titus and Fitzpatrick. Bump stocks serve only one purpose — to make guns fire like machine guns and cause mass destruction. We saw this in Las Vegas, where a shooter used a bump stock to fire over 1,000 rounds in minutes, killing 60 people and injuring hundreds more. If the Sandy Hook shooter had used a bump stock to convert his AR-15, even more lives might have been lost. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn the federal ban puts more communities in danger. Congress must act now to pass this life-saving bill and help prevent more tragedies.”

“Devices that transform semiautomatic firearms into automatic machine guns, like bump stocks, have no place on our streets and communities,” said Mark Collins, Director of Federal Policy, Brady United. “We have seen how they have been used to destroy communities, including in the October 2017 Las Vegas shooting, where 60 people were killed and almost 500 more were shot. It is past time we take concrete action to prevent the proliferation of these dangerous tools of mass violence. Brady is grateful to Rep. Titus and Rep. Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan leadership and proud to endorse the Closing the Bump Stock Loophole Act.”

“Bump stocks turn semi-automatics into essentially machine guns— the kind that can shoot hundreds of people in minutes. These devices have already enabled unimaginable tragedy in Las Vegas, and more lives will be lost if we continue to do nothing about them,” said Emma Brown, Executive Director of GIFFORDS & GIFFORDS Law Center. “This legislation sends a clear message that our communities deserve safety. We’re grateful to Representatives Titus and Fitzpatrick, and Senators Heinrich, Collins, and Cortez Masto for taking action to keep families safe from gun crime and senseless violence.”

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

Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI) and Lisa McClain (R-MI) reintroduced their bipartisan Great Lakes Mapping Act, legislation that would provide a better understanding of the unseen, unexplored lakebeds of America’s Great Lakes, and further our knowledge of their environmental, social, and economic impact.
 
The Great Lakes Region provides over $6 trillion to America’s GDP, supports 51 million jobs, and is a critical shipping lifeline for much of the country with more than 200 million tons of cargo shipped through the Great Lakes. Despite the far-reaching economic, social, and environmental significance of the Great Lakes, we lack a thorough understanding of their underwater environment.
 
“In Michigan, the Great Lakes are a way of life, and their impact is felt across our country and beyond. Protecting these waters is personal to me and to so many who call the Heartland home,” Dingell said. “Comprehensively exploring and mapping the Great Lakes will strengthen our understanding of their underwater environment so that we can better protect them and the many species they contain and continue to foster the economic prosperity they have supported for generations.”

“Only 13 percent of the Great Lakes is mapped to modern standards. Imagine how much more these bodies of water can be used to strengthen our economy if the remaining 87 percent is utilized,” McClain said. “We have a unique opportunity to unlock the region’s economic potential. Advanced mapping will give us a deeper understanding of how we can tap into and protect one of American’s most valuable natural resources. My legislation with Rep. Dingell will take Michigan’s economy to the next level.” 

The Great Lakes have never been fully explored. Thousands of shipwrecks lay hidden in the depths. Ancient civilizations have left their cultural imprint hundreds of feet below the surface. Marine life is crucial for Great Lakes fisheries; however, their habitats are barely understood.

This bill would direct the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to conduct high-resolution bathymetric mapping of the lakebeds of the Great Lakes by 2030. Throughout this process, NOAA would work with consulting bodies and regional coastal observing systems, such as the Great Lakes Observing System, to map the lakebeds and then make all relevant data available to the public. 
 
View the full bill text here.