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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter celebrates Committee passage of his bill to protect children’s online safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Reps. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) and Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) today celebrated the Energy and Commerce Committee’s advancement of their bipartisan Sammy’s Law Act, a bill requiring large social media companies to monitor for potentially dangerous online activity involving children under the age of 17.

Sammy’s Law is a bill safeguarding children online by informing parents about dangerous interactions on social media. The bill, which gives parents the choice to use third-party safety software to protect their children from harmful situations on social media, is named after Sammy Chapman, who, at the age of 16, was approached by a drug dealer on Snapchat and was unknowingly a victim of fentanyl poisoning.

“There are sick, evil people who prey on our children from the shadows of social media, selling illicit, even fentanyl-laced, drugs. Tragically, Sammy Chapman was one of those kids who died at just 16 years old, with his entire life ahead of him,” said Rep. Carter. “Parents have the right to know when their child is engaging in dangerous online activity, and this bill will equip them with the best possible technology to protect and keep their children safe from bad actors. I urge a swift vote on the House floor on this critical, bipartisan legislation.”

“All parents worry about what their kids see or receive on social media. As a mother of three children who grew up with the world at their fingertips, I often feared what my children were exposed to online, especially through apps that profit from sharing messages intentionally designed to disappear or be hidden,” said Rep. Wasserman Schultz. “I’m incredibly proud lead this bipartisan bill with my colleagues to give parents more tools to supervise their kids’ online presence during the most vulnerable stages of their life.”

“Sammy’s Law will save thousands of lives once it is passed. We are so pleased that it made it through the committee today,” said Samuel Chapman, father of Sammy Chapman. “It’s an important step along the way to becoming the tool that allows parents to parent online.”

“One of the most effective ways for parents to protect children is by using third-party safety software, which provides alerts to families when dangerous content is shared through children’s social media accounts, enabling life-saving interventions at critical moments,” said Marc Berkman, CEO of the Organization for Social Media Safety. “Sammy’s Law will provide targeted protection for millions of children from the most serious of social media-related harms, like drug trafficking, cyberbullying, and sexual predation, among others.”

Read full bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on President Trump’s removal of Kristi Noem as Secretary for the Department of Homeland Security:

“Good riddance. Kristi Noem’s time as DHS Secretary has been an utter disaster. She was unqualified, incompetent, and cruel from the beginning. Under her leadership, U.S. citizens have been detained and killed, children have been teargassed, CBP and ICE have effectively operated unconstrained, and DHS has repeatedly lied to the American people. And she killed her dog.

“All of this is why I cosponsored Rep. Robin Kelly’s articles of impeachment and have been calling for her removal for months.

“This was incredibly overdue. Apparently, Donald Trump finally got tired of the bad headlines she was constantly generating with her misconduct. Trump and Noem cannot try to save face by moving her to a made-up position. She has no place within the federal government.

“Markwayne Mullin is just as unfit as Noem. I have no confidence whatsoever that he will stand up to Trump’s demands for violence or curb ICE and CBP’s behavior in any way.

“While I am cheered by Noem’s removal, we cannot lose sight of the essential task at hand: Withholding funds from ICE and CBP until significant structural changes are made that protect our communities from unnecessary violence and violations of basic rights.”

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone (D-NJ) today released the following statement after President Trump announced he has fired Kristi Noem from her role as Secretary of Homeland Security: 

 

“Good riddance, Kristi Noem. Her tenure overseeing Trump’s rogue Department of Homeland Security has been defined by chaos, cruelty, and a stunning disregard for basic decency and due process. For nearly a year, my colleagues and I have called for her removal after watching her dismantle FEMA and preside over an ICE operation that killed American citizens and detains tens of thousands in nightmare conditions at places like Delaney Hall. DHS is supposed to protect Americans, not erode the standards that hold our society together. Make no mistake she leaves irreparable damage in her wake, but I am very glad to see her finally gone.”

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

From day one of her tenure as the so-called Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem has proven to be a deeply unqualified, unhinged, out-of-control, pathological liar who repeatedly abused her power. She was a complete and total disaster. We made clear weeks ago that Kristi Noem must be fired or she would face impeachment. Her well-deserved termination is long overdue, consistent with what we have demanded.

Under her watch, taxpayer dollars have been weaponized by DHS to kill American citizens, brutalize communities and violently target law-abiding immigrant families, all while she paraded around in a luxury jet and wasted public funds to glorify her ICE Barbie self-image. We will hold her accountable for every single dollar that was corruptly spent at DHS.

Kristi Noem’s removal is only the first step towards reforming the lawless Trump DHS. A change in personnel is not sufficient. House Democrats will continue to demand bold, meaningful and transformational changes until ICE, CBP and all DHS agencies and officers conduct themselves in a manner consistent with every law enforcement agency in the country. The American people deserve nothing less.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed Energy Subcommittee Chairman Bob Latta’s SECURE GRID Act, bipartisan legislation that empowers states to fully assess risks to the electric grid from extreme weather, physical and cyber threats, and other vulnerabilities. This bill is co-led by Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA-07).

“States must have a fully accessible plan in place to respond when threats are posed to the electric grid. As Chairman of the Energy Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce and Co-Chair of the Grid Innovation Caucus, ensuring America’s electric grid is secure and resilient for families and businesses across the country remains a top priority. I thank my Energy and Commerce Committee colleagues for advancing this legislation at today’s markup, and I urge the House to swiftly bring it to a vote,” said Latta. 

“Keeping the lights on should never be a gamble. Across America, a power outage can mean a life-threatening scenario during extreme temperatures, a parent scrambling to keep insulin cold, or a senior worrying about a medical device. The SECURE Grid Act takes a commonsense step to strengthen the local grid that serves our communities and protect it from extreme weather, physical threats, and cyberattacks. I’m glad this bipartisan bill passed out of committee, and I’ll keep pushing to get it to the House floor,” said Matsui.  

Background on the SECURE Grid Act: 

States must submit a State Energy Security Plan (SESP) annually to receive funds from the State Energy Program. State Energy Offices use these funds to implement energy security and resiliency plans, invest in domestic energy resources, reduce energy waste, pilot innovative energy projects, and more. A state’s SESP allows it to recognize, respond to, and mitigate weaknesses in its energy infrastructure. 

While SESPs are currently required to consider broad vulnerabilities, including physical and cyber-attacks, the SECURE Grid Act adds necessary detailed data to these reports, requiring states to consider: 

• threats posed to local distribution facilities and supporting grid infrastructure, like distribution substations; 
• the risks posed by increasing grid demand; 
• available technologies to mitigate threats to energy distribution and rising grid demand; 
• the distinctions between weather-related threats and threats from a physical act of violence; 
• the utility of public-private partnerships in meeting energy security needs; 
• the availability of innovative financing models that may save taxpayer dollars and increase access to digital grid technology; and 
• the role of vendors in maintaining a secure, reliable, and resilient energy distribution system. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24), a member of the House Agriculture Committee, issued the statement below following the House Agriculture Committee’s passage of the farm bill.

“The Republican farm bill fails to address the urgent crises facing agricultural communities across the country, including on the Central Coast. Our farmers are being squeezed by both sides of Trump’s trade war. The tariffs are increasing farmers’ production costs while their customer base overseas shrinks as nations retaliate with their own trade barriers. Furthermore, this legislation ignores the devastating SNAP cuts included in the ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ which threaten food security for our most vulnerable citizens as grocery prices continue to skyrocket. This bill was a missed opportunity for bipartisan, commonsense solutions. Instead, this bill betrays our farmers, which is why I voted against it and will continue to stand up for our rural communities.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) joined U.S. Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Congressman Brad Finstad (R-MN) in introducing the Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to create a government-wide shared services lending platform known as “Lending.gov.”

The platform would provide a single, modern front door for borrowers and a standardized set of back-end loan management capabilities for participating agencies while preserving each agency’s program authorities.

“Today, the federal government operates more than 175 loan programs on outdated, fragmented systems that waste billions of taxpayer dollars and leave the door open to fraud,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi said. “Our legislation establishes Lending.gov as a single, secure, modern platform that will streamline operations, strengthen fraud detection, and ensure assistance reaches Americans who qualify without unnecessary delays. By consolidating these systems, we can save at least $2 billion annually while delivering faster, more accountable service. This is smart government: cutting waste, protecting taxpayers, and making federal programs work the way they should.”

“Tennesseans, small businesses, and families across the country deserve a simple process that makes accessing federal loans easier,” Senator Blackburn said. “The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act would streamline the process for borrowers and federal agencies, replacing the confusing patchwork of loan programs that frustrates Americans every day. It would also stop waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars.”

“The federal government is one of the largest lenders in the world, with programs that support housing, small businesses, infrastructure, disaster recovery, and national security. But the outdated systems used by many of these lending programs cost billions and have allowed tens of billions in fraud,” Senator Hassan said. “This bipartisan bill will modernize federal lending through a shared services platform known as Lending.gov, helping make our government more user friendly, combat fraud, and save taxpayer dollars.”

“By creating Lending.gov as a single, secure access point for federal loan programs, the Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act finally brings our loan systems into the 21st century,” Congressman Finstad said. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation with Sen. Blackburn and Rep. Krishnamoorthi to improve efficiency and streamline access across agencies, minimize opportunities for fraud, and deliver the kind of commonsense modernization that makes government work better for the people it serves.”

Summary of the Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act

• The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act would:
• Build on successful centralized platforms such as Grants.gov; and
• Test a scalable model for shared services in lending that could set a precedent for future shared services initiatives in other mission areas.
• In addition to improving efficiency and customer experience, the Lending.gov platform is intended to significantly reduce fraud.
• Modern loan management systems routinely used in the private sector incorporate tools such as;
• Enhanced identity verification;
• Cross-program data matching;
• Real-time risk analytics and alerts; and
• Standardized underwriting and servicing controls.
• A centralized platform would make these capabilities more accessible across agencies, enabling earlier detection of fraudulent or ineligible applications and reducing improper payments.

The text of the bill is available here.

Endorsements of the Legislation

This legislation is supported by the Center for USA Lending, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste, Association of Government Accountants, Shared Services Leadership Council, and the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

“The communities that depend most on federal credit programs, small businesses, first-generation homeowners, students, are also the ones most harmed when systems are slow, uncoordinated, and unreliable. The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act gets at something fundamental: that good lending policy requires good lending infrastructure. The Center for USA Lending strongly believes this proposal warrants prompt action, and we’re committed to keeping borrower experience at the center of this conversation,” said Doug Criscitello, Executive Director, Center for USA Lending.

“The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act would establish a new website, Lending.gov, as a centralized federal lending platform.  This consolidation of information about federal loans would facilitate access and increase transparency for borrowers, reduce duplication, and improve the detection and prevention of waste, fraud, abuse, and mismanagement.  Agencies would benefit from the website’s shared services and infrastructure while maintaining control over their individual lending programs.  The Council for Citizens Against Government Waste supports this legislation and urges all members of Congress to support its passage,” said Tom Schatz, President, Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.

“Like in so many areas of government operations, fragmented lending systems cost taxpayers money and make it harder for agencies to do their jobs. The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act is a practical, common-sense response to a problem that federal financial managers have flagged for years. AGA supports advancing this concept now. Modernizing shared infrastructure while keeping agencies in control of their programs is exactly the right approach,” said Ann Ebberts, CEO, Association of Government Accountants.

“Shared services works and federal lending is exactly the kind of function that stands to benefit from a common platform approach. The Federal Loan Systems Modernization Act aligns closely with what the shared services community has advocated for years: modern infrastructure, reduced duplication, and agency autonomy preserved. We’re encouraged by the direction this proposal takes and believe it deserves serious attention from both the Administration and Congress,” said John Marshall, Executive Director, Shared Services Leadership Council.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), a senior member of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), are pushing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem to definitively rule out developing any ICE facilities in New Hampshire without state and local support. 

While DHS recently confirmed that it was not moving forward with its planned project in Merrimack, the agency has refused to rule out the potential of restarting the project and refused to provide any information about whether it was pursuing plans elsewhere in New Hampshire. 

“Last week, in response to congressional inquiries, ICE stated that the agency is not moving forward with plans for a facility at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack at this time. However, ICE explicitly refused to comment on any other plans for ICE facilities in New Hampshire,” wrote the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation. “The people of New Hampshire have clearly and repeatedly voiced their concerns regarding potential new ICE facilities in the Granite State… While the plans for this specific proposed facility have now been paused, we continue to have strong concerns that DHS has or may develop other plans for a new ICE facility in New Hampshire without listening to and accounting for the concerns of Granite Staters.” 

In their letter, the Congressional Delegation pushed Secretary Noem to publicly provide any sites that it has evaluated for use as an ICE facility, in Merrimack or elsewhere in New Hampshire, as well as the current status of its plan, and a commitment from DHS that it will not develop or operate these facilities unless it obtains the support of local leadership, including state and local elected officials as well as law enforcement and emergency services. 

The New Hampshire Congressional Delegation has continued to push the Department of Homeland Security to listen to local voices when it comes to the development of ICE facilities. The Delegation repeatedly highlighted for Secretary Noem the local concerns with its planned facility in Merrimack, which resulted in the cancellation of the project. The New Hampshire delegation introduced bicameral legislation requiring DHS to solicit public comments and receive written approval from state and local officials before constructing, acquiring, or operating any new ICE facility. 

Click here to read the New Hampshire Congressional Delegation’s letter to Secretary Noem, or see below: 

Dear Secretary Noem: 

We write today to seek information about Department of Homeland Security (DHS) plans regarding new Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities in New Hampshire.  

Last week, in response to congressional inquiries, ICE stated that the agency is not moving forward with plans for a facility at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack at this time. However, ICE explicitly refused to comment on any other plans for ICE facilities in New Hampshire. 

The people of New Hampshire have clearly and repeatedly voiced their concerns regarding potential new ICE facilities in the Granite State. Local leaders were left out of discussions with DHS regarding the facility at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack, creating a situation where DHS plans continued to move forward without crucial local input. While the plans for this specific proposed facility have now been paused, we continue to have strong concerns that DHS has or may develop other plans for a new ICE facility in New Hampshire without listening to and accounting for the concerns of Granite Staters. 

Please provide answers to the following questions no later than Friday, March 13, 2026: 

• We understand that DHS has paused its plan to purchase property and operate an ICE facility at 50 Robert Milligan Parkway in Merrimack, New Hampshire. Is DHS guaranteeing that project will not move forward, or leaving open the possibility of resuming it in the future?
• Since January 20, 2025, has DHS evaluated any sites in Merrimack for potential use as ICE facilities other than 50 Robert Milligan Parkway? 
  • If so, please provide a list of locations considered, the current status of these projects, and all documents prepared for these projects including but not limited to any economic impact analyses. 
• Since January 20, 2025, has DHS evaluated any other locations for potential new ICE facilities elsewhere in New Hampshire?
  • If so, please provide a list of locations considered, the current status of these projects, and all documents prepared for these projects including but not limited to any economic impact analyses. 
• Since January 20, 2025, has DHS evaluated expanding or increasing capabilities at any existing federal government owned or operated locations in New Hampshire to support DHS immigration enforcement, detention, or removal operations? 
  • If so, please provide a list of locations considered, the current status of these projects, and all documents prepared for these projects including but not limited to any economic impact analyses.
• Is DHS continuing to explore the possibility of developing and operating a new ICE facility in New Hampshire at this time?
• Will DHS consider developing and operating a new ICE facility in New Hampshire in the future?
• Will DHS commit to not developing or operating any new ICE facilities in New Hampshire unless it obtains the support of local leadership, including state and local elected officials as well as law enforcement and emergency services? 

Thank you for your attention to this matter.