MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

Last week, all HHS staff who manage LIHEAP were fired, leaving the program at risk and the families that rely on it vulnerable to higher energy costs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

PASADENA, CA — Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement on upcoming soil testing of the impacted Eaton Fire areas of northern Pasadena and Altadena:

“I have asked the EPA and FEMA to do soil testing in Altadena and Pasadena, and I was disappointed when they flat-out said no. They said they haven’t paid for soil testing after debris removal since 2019, and they have concluded that whatever is found below the 6 inches is preexisting before the fires.

“While I support efforts to continue to pressure EPA and FEMA, I understand the need for immediate solutions. That is why I will also continue to pursue other means for soil testing for residents.  I have met with the Community Action Project Los Angeles, which is starting its soil testing of 1200 homes this week.  These are homes that signed up with them and approved entry on the property.  I am pursuing additional funding that would expand the number of houses tested in the burn area.”

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

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to amend the District of Columbia Home Rule Act (HRA) to permit the Chairman of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit legislation to Congress in the form of the Chairman’s choosing, including electronic form. This bill seeks to modernize the method D.C. legislation is transmitted to Congress for the congressional review period.

The HRA requires that D.C. legislation be transmitted to Congress for a congressional review period before the legislation can take effect. While the HRA does not specify the method that the Chairman must use to transmit the legislation, House and Senate precedent require that the legislation be physically transmitted to the Speaker of the House and the President of the Senate. 

Norton has also introduced legislation to eliminate the congressional review period for D.C. legislation.

“While I do not believe there should be a congressional review process for D.C. legislation, the current requirement that D.C. physically transmit its legislation imposes unacceptable costs on both the Council and Congress,” Norton said. “The D.C. Council currently engages in a burdensome 12-step process to physically transmit legislation, including printing two copies of each bill and committee report, arranging a time for delivery of these documents to the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate and having two staffers drive to the Capitol to deliver the documents—two are necessary because of parking restrictions. It’s time to bring this onerous process up to date and allow D.C. to use current technology to transmit its legislation to Congress.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

on the Introduction of the District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act

April 7, 2025

Today, I introduce the District of Columbia Electronic Transmittal of Legislation Act, which would permit the Chair of the Council of the District of Columbia to transmit legislation to Congress in the form of the Chair’s choosing, including electronic form.  This bill would bring the congressional review process for legislation enacted by D.C. into the electronic age.  In the 117^th Congress, the Committee on Oversight and Reform passed this bill. 

While I do not believe there should be a congressional review process for D.C. legislation—and I have introduced a bill to eliminate the review process—this bill would not change the review process, except that it would give D.C. flexibility in the form it transmits legislation to Congress.  This bill’s only purpose is to reduce administrative burdens on D.C. and Congress.

The D.C. Home Rule Act requires the Chair of the D.C. Council to transmit legislation to Congress for a review period. The legislation takes effect upon the expiration of the review period, unless a resolution of disapproval is enacted into law during the review period.  The Home Rule Act is silent on the form of transmittal, but Congress has always required the legislation to be physically transmitted.

Electronic records are recognized as valid under federal and state law, and federal, state and local governments conduct official business electronically.  For example, under the Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, which was enacted into law more than 20 years ago, with respect to any interstate transaction in which the parties consent, “a signature, contract, or other record relating to such transaction may not be denied legal effect, validity, or enforceability solely because it is in electronic form.”  In 2002, the E-Government Act, which facilitated the federal government providing information and services to the public electronically, was enacted into law.

Federal agencies transmit regulations and other documents to the Federal Register electronically.  Congress is also capable of conducting official business electronically. For example, the House permits Members, including acting through their staff, to introduce legislation and submit statements into the Congressional Record electronically. 

The requirement that D.C. physically transmit legislation imposes costs on the Council.  The Council engages in a 12-step process to physically transmit legislation, including printing two copies of each bill and committee report, arranging a time for delivery of these documents to the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate and having two staffers drive to the Capitol to deliver the documents—two are necessary because of parking restrictions.

The physical transmittal process also imposes costs on Congress.  The following congressional offices and committees are involved in the physical transmittal process: the offices of the Speaker and President of the Senate, the House and Senate parliamentarians, the House Clerk, the Senate Secretary, the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

The aftermath of the January 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol highlighted the burdens of physical transmittal.  After temporary fencing was installed around the Capitol, D.C. employees could not enter the Capitol.  This delayed transmittal of D.C. legislation until Council and congressional staff developed a workaround, which consisted of staff meeting outside the fencing to transmit legislation.

I recognize that Congress requires all so-called executive communications, including D.C. legislation, to be physically transmitted, but D.C. is the only entity required to transmit legislation to Congress for a review period. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

The American Dream has lived in the hearts and minds of Americans for countless generations – the idea that your class or your past does not define you or determine your value and that your success can be achieved through hard work and dedication – not the family you were born into or even your past. 

In 1931, American writer and historian, James Truslow Adams, popularized the concept of the American Dream in his book, “The Epic of America” as, “not a dream of motor cars and high wages merely, but a dream of social order in which each man and each woman shall be able to attain to the fullest stature of which they are innately capable, and be recognized by others for what they are, regardless of the fortuitous circumstances of birth or position.”

This week, I was pleased to introduce a bipartisan, bicameral resolution to recognize April as Second Chance Month. For millions of Americans who have served time behind bars for the crimes they have committed, there is an exceptional challenge they face when reentering society. 

Looking for well-paying jobs to support a family is already difficult for most, but under the current circumstances and stigmas placed on formerly incarcerated individuals, this becomes a nearly impossible task. The unfortunate reality of this situation is that the likelihood for these individuals to return to prison is high – because of the discouraging lack of resources and community support that is so desperately needed. 

In his State of the Union Address in 2004, President George W. Bush stated, “We know from long experience that if [incarcerated individuals] can’t find work, or a home, or help, they are much more likely to commit more crimes and return to prison…. America is the land of the second chance, and when the gates of the prison open, the path ahead should lead to a better life.” Even twenty years later, this remains a fact — as it has for the decades before the former president’s speech. 

Rising crime rates are a constant concern for communities across our nation. While it’s certainly most ideal that no one commits a crime that would send them behind bars, it is an unfortunate reality. However, if we can provide better reentry programs and community support that will supply these individuals with the tools they need to succeed, we may see crime rates drop, along with recidivism rates, as we restore confidence back into these individuals.

Recognizing April as Second Chance Month is an excellent opportunity to raise awareness on the importance of creating pathways for the millions of Americans previously and currently incarcerated, who have paid their debt to society, and experience the innumerable barriers to successfully re-entering their communities. Each of these Americans has an intrinsic value and is worthy of the dignity that comes with establishing hard-earned jobs and gaining sought-after respect. Everyone deserves a second chance. Let’s build upon the American Dream together, by breaking down the stigmas attached to incarceration and working toward reducing recidivism rates.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tennessee members of the House of Representatives published an op-ed in Agri-Pulse titled, “Trump Chose the Right Man to Help Make American Agriculture Great Again”. In the op-ed the members argue that Judge Stephen Vaden, a West Tennessee native, is the right choice to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Trump Chose the Right Man to Help Make American Agriculture Great Again
By: Reps. David Kustoff (TN-08), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Scott DesJarlais (TN-04), Andy Ogles (TN-05), John Rose (TN-06), and Mark Green (TN-07)

As Tennessee members of the House of Representatives, we are honored to support the nomination of Stephen Alexander Vaden as deputy secretary of the Department of Agriculture. 

A native of west Tennessee, Vaden is currently serving a lifetime appointment as a judge on the U.S. Court of International Trade. Vaden combines a wealth of legal expertise, extensive agricultural experience, and a nuanced understanding of global trade. These qualities make him exceptionally suited to help lead the USDA in advancing policies that serve American farmers, ranchers, and rural communities.

President Donald Trump has always been a champion for rural America. His nomination of Vaden reinforces that commitment. By selecting a farmer from rural west Tennessee, Trump is placing a leader in his administration who deeply understands the realities of rural life and the agricultural industry.

Vaden grew up on his family farm in Union City, Tennessee. It was there that he developed a deep appreciation for the hard work, dedication, and challenges that American farmers face every day. Today, he continues to manage operations there, carrying forward his family’s agricultural legacy. Vaden understands firsthand the hardships of fluctuating commodity prices, rising input prices, and an increasingly complex regulatory environment. These experiences have fueled his passion for ensuring that agriculture remains a viable and thriving industry.

Throughout his career, Vaden has consistently demonstrated unwavering support for America’s producers. As general counsel at USDA during Trump’s first term, he led efforts to streamline regulatory processes to better serve rural communities and implemented the 2018 farm bill. His focus on expanding international markets and advocating for free trade will be crucial for the future of agriculture. With the U.S. set to hit a record agricultural trade deficit, Vaden’s leadership will be essential in addressing this imbalance and leveling the playing field for American farmers.

What further distinguishes Vaden is his service as a federal judge. Vaden was nominated by Trump and confirmed by the Senate to serve on the U.S. Court of International Trade. His legal skill and in-depth knowledge of trade law enable him to offer sound guidance to the USDA as it develops effective policies and regulations. In this day and age, international market forces are rapidly shifting, and the agricultural sector is facing increased volatility. Vaden’s ability to ensure both efficient and fair executive practices will prove vital for domestic producers. As a judge, he has presided over key trade cases, including rulings on unfair trade practices and import restrictions that posed a threat to domestic producers. These decisions have directly strengthened the stability of U.S. agriculture in an increasingly competitive global market.

In Tennessee, agriculture is not just an industry but a way of life. We look forward to having a deputy secretary who understands the unique challenges facing our rural communities. With his roots in Union City, Vaden is uniquely qualified to advocate for policies that will keep our farms competitive on the global stage. In the coming years, Vaden’s leadership will be crucial as Congress negotiates a new farm bill that addresses labor issues, improves market access, and strengthens the resilience of our supply chains.

We are confident that Vaden’s confirmation will be a crucial step in securing a prosperous future for the Americans who feed, clothe, and fuel the world. Trump has chosen the right man to help make American agriculture great again.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON– On Saturday, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke at the Hands Off! People’s Veto Rally at the National Mall in Washington D.C.

Rep. Ilhan Omar called out the chaos, corruption, and callousness of the Trump Administration. She emphasized the importance of fighting and defending our democracy and upholding our Constitution.

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“Hello everyone! 

It is so good to be here with over 100,000 American patriots. 

It is a reminder that the American fighting spirit is alive, because folks we are in a fight! 

We are in a fight for our democracy.

We are in a fight for our constitution.

We are in a fight for our families.

We are in a fight for the kind of future we want for this country.

We are currently living through a president who wants to be a dictator.

In America, we do not accept dictators and we do not accept kings.

We have a billionaire who has bought a seat next to the President, using him as a puppet.

American democracy has never been for sale and it won’t be today.

We are seeing a cowardice — congressional Republicans that are utilizing the chaos our fascist president is creating to cut Medicaid, Social Security and take away our rights, while they give $4.5 trillion in tac cuts to their billionaire puppeteers.

None of this is normal!

This is why we have to fight for our constitution. Because here is the thing, no matter who you are, Elon Musk and Donald Trump and corrupt congressional Republicans are coming for you.

If you are a mother struggling to put food on the table, they are coming for you.

If you have elderly parents that you are trying to put in a nursing home, they are coming for you.

If you are a senior relying on Social Security, they are coming for you.

If you have disabled children and you’re trying to make sure they have access to education, by cutting the Education Department, they are coming for you.

So they want you to believe— they want you to believe to look at your neighbor as your enemy.

They want you to believe that it is because of trans kids that you can’t have the necessary access to the programs we already paid for.

They want you to think it is okay to snatch people in the middle of the night and disappear them.

They want to take away our pride, as Americans, in the constitution and due process by putting people in foreign prisons in a dark hole.

They want to crash the economy so that they can set up a process of punishment and reward.

So they can grab more power for who will bend the knee and give them access.

None of this is normal!

So if you want a country that has the marvelous constitution we have, we have to fight for it!

If you want a country that still believes in due process, we have to fight for it!

If you believe in a country where we take care of our neighbors, look after the poor and make sure our children have a future they can believe in, we have to fight for it!

So are you ready to fight?

Are you ready to fight?

Let’s go fight and win!

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Recently, Representative Sharice Davids urged U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Jamieson Greer to amend a new shipping policy that would hurt Kansas businesses, farmers, and U.S. national security. The plan would impose massive fees on American shipping companies that rely on foreign-built ships — costs so high that Merriam-based Seaboard Corporation warns that its Marine Division could be forced out of business.

“While I support strengthening America’s shipbuilding industry and the American workers employed by the sector, I am concerned that the Proposed Action, as currently written, will have unintended consequences that would be devastating for United States-owned international ocean carriers and employment at dozens of ports around the country,” wrote Davids. “I urge you to consider the broader impacts on the U.S. shipping and agriculture industries as USTR moves ahead with the Section 301 process.”

The initial policy — outlined in Section 301 Investigation of China’s Targeting of the Maritime, Logistics, and Shipbuilding Sectors for Dominance — is meant to boost American shipbuilding, but Davids and industry experts warn it could backfire, leaving fewer shipping options for U.S. exporters, driving up costs, disrupting supply chains, and giving Chinese companies an advantage. Davids is urging the USTR to amend the policy to protect U.S.-owned shipping companies while also encouraging the long-term growth of American shipbuilding. 

“Kansas Farm Bureau fully supports Rep. Sharice Davids’ efforts to ensure U.S.-owned shipping companies and their customers, which include farmers and ranchers, aren’t caught in the crosshairs of misguided policy,” said Joe Newland, President, Kansas Farm Bureau. “We support efforts to increase America’s competitiveness in shipbuilding, but the USTR’s existing plan would raise shipping costs, destroy jobs and make Kansas agricultural products less competitive in global markets.”

Seaboard Corporation, a Fortune 500 company based in Merriam, Kansas, owns Seaboard Marine, the largest U.S.-owned international shipping carrier. The company says that under the proposed policy, they and other U.S.-owned shipping companies would be forced to pay enormous fees — up to $1.5 million every time a foreign-built ship docks at a U.S. port, even if the ship was bought when no such rule existed. Additional penalties would apply to companies that have already ordered new ships from foreign shipyards, further squeezing U.S. businesses.

The impact wouldn’t just be felt in the shipping industry. Kansas farmers rely on global shipping to export crops and import necessary supplies like fertilizer and seed. In 2022, Kansas exported $7.2 billion in agricultural products. If shipping options shrink or costs rise, farmers could be left paying more or struggling to sell their goods abroad.

Right now, the U.S. does not have enough shipbuilding capacity to meet the demand for new commercial vessels. Only ten container ships were built in the U.S. between 2010 and 2023. Davids argues that without a reasonable transition period, U.S. shipping companies will be forced out of business while foreign competitors gain even more market control. She continues to advocate for policies that protect Kansas businesses, create good jobs, and strengthen America’s position in global trade.

Read a full copy of Davids’ letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Angus King, and Representatives Chellie Pingree and Jared Golden today announced that Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH) has received full reimbursement due to them from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for domiciliary care provided to veterans since 2021. In 2020, Congress passed legislation authorizing the VA to cover the costs of nursing home care provided by state veterans’ homes for veterans with early-stage dementia after it abruptly stopped covering these payments in 2019. Unfortunately, the VA delayed the required rulemaking by more than two years. This lag forced MVH to pay out-of-pocket for the care costing approximately $130,000 per month and over $3 million since 2019.

“For decades, Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH) has provided quality care to Maine veterans; working hard to make good on our nation’s promise to give back to those who served,” said Senators Collins and King and Representatives Pingree and Golden. “However, for years, MVH has faced financial strain due to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) delay in reimbursing it for nursing home care for veterans battling dementia, putting additional burdens on Maine veterans and their families. We are excited to share that MVH has finally received full reimbursement from the VA for this care — an important step that will ensure its doors can stay open, and our veterans can continue to access important care and support.”

Domiciliary care was established by the VA after the Civil War as a type of assisted living that is provided to older veterans who are independently mobile, or semi-mobile and incapable of living alone. Over 115 MVH residents receive domiciliary care, 80 percent of whom are on Medicaid.

The Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act, signed into law on January 5, 2021, authorized the VA to resume reimbursements for domiciliary care at state homes like MVH. Since then, the Maine Congressional delegation has continuously pushed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse Maine Veterans’ Homes. In spring of 2023, the delegation introduced the Reimburse Veterans for Domiciliary Care Act, which would require the VA to restart payments for current care as mandated by law and retroactively provide MVH with the reimbursements for past care. Months later, the delegation received news the VA had agreed to resume reimbursing Maine Veterans’ Homes (MVH) for domiciliary care, but did not follow through on delivering the funds. After pressure from the Maine delegation, in September 2023 the VA announced a proposed rule that would retroactively reimburse MVH for the care they’ve provided back to January 2020. Last spring, the delegation wrote a letter to the former Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Secretary Denis McDonough requested an update on the rule and in October 2024, the VA announced the finalized rule that would provide retroactive reimbursement for MVH.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

On March 25th, Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), alongside Senator Todd Young, received the Publius Award from the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress –– a non-partisan, non-profit dedicated to promoting bipartisan leadership. The award honors political leaders who put the public good and pragmatism over partisanship and special interests. Past recipients include Secretary Ash Carter, Senator Tim Kaine, Congressman Mike Gallagher, and Justice Sandra Day O’Connor. 

“I was honored to receive the Publius Award alongside Senator Young, with whom I co-authored the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to invest in innovation, good-paying jobs, and the revitalization of communities left behind by the offshoring of manufacturing. At a moment of deep division in Washington, we can’t lose sight of delivering for working-class people and strengthening our economy. Thank you to President Glenn Nye and the Center for the Study of the Presidency and Congress for this honor and for your work to promote cooperation and innovative problem solving,” said Rep. Ro Khanna. 

“CSPC is proud to honor Rep. Ro Khanna, together with Senator Todd Young, with our Publius Award, recognizing their bipartisan leadership on American competitiveness and innovation. This kind of cooperation doesn’t usually make headlines, but it is vital for our country to honor such statesmanship,” said CSPC President and CEO Glenn Nye. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Reps. Bill Foster (D-IL) and Mike Lawler (R-NY) announced the reintroduction of the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act to make certain advanced Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) degree holders eligible for permanent resident status. This would allow these graduates to remain in the United States following their graduation and would remove barriers for them to work in the United States.

The Senate companion bill is led by Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Senator Mike Rounds (R-SD). 

“We must expand America’s STEM workforce to compete in the global economy,” said Congressman Bill Foster. “Our country gives international STEM students a world-class education, only to turn them away when they want to stay in the United States after graduation and contribute their skills to our economy. Allowing these graduates to stay would help put our country on the cutting edge of scientific research and technological development and create good-paying American jobs along the way. I’m proud to lead this bipartisan effort to build up our STEM workforce.”

“I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Keep STEM Talent Act of 2025. Our universities attract some of the brightest minds from around the world, yet too often, these students leave the United States after graduation. This bill will incentivize international STEM graduates to stay and contribute to our economy, ensuring America continues to lead the world in science and technological innovation,” said Congressman Mike Lawler.

“Maintaining a strong STEM workforce strengthens our economy, creates jobs, and enhances our ability to compete on the world stage,” Senator Dick Durbin said. “By denying international students with advanced STEM degrees the opportunity to continue their work in America, we are losing their talents to countries overseas and won’t see the positive impacts of their American education. I thank Senator Rounds for joining me in this commonsense and bipartisan effort.”

“Legal, highly skilled STEM immigration is crucial for our nation and has opened doors for talented immigrants like Albert Einstein to come to America,” said Senator Mike Rounds. “Particularly with the advancements of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, we must keep talent in the United States and stay ahead of our near peer competitors such as China and Russia. This bill enhances national security by imposing new, stringent vetting requirements, while also making certain talent stays serving the United States, not our adversaries.”

The Keep STEM Talent Act is endorsed by the American Mathematical Society, the American Physical Society, the Department for Professional Employees, AFL-CIO, The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, MIT Graduate Student Council, MIT Science Policy Initiative, and the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students.

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