MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined nearly 200 Members in calling for independent investigations into Lorenzo Salgado Araujo and Johan Sebastian Guerrero’s deaths. The members are demanding that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) halt removal proceedings against the witnesses.

In their letter, the Members wrote, “Both of these incidents have created enormous fear and outrage in the community, and raise serious questions about the safety of community members, regardless of immigration status. DHS agents have shot at least 22 people just since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. Six of these shootings have been fatal, resulting in the death of U.S. citizens and individuals with no criminal records.”

They continued, “In several of these cases, DHS and its component agencies made unsubstantiated allegations about individuals its agents have shot and even killed, including Renée Good, Alex Pretti, Ruben Ray Martinez, Marimar Martinez, and Julio Sosa-Celis. DHS claimed that the shooting victims were attacking law enforcement officers, attempting to ‘weaponize’ their vehicles, and even called them domestic terrorists. In each case, evidence later emerged that contradicted these claims, showing that DHS representatives made false statements and DHS agents acted inappropriately, resulting in several cases against DHS’s victims to be dismissed with prejudice. As such, Trump’s DHS has lost the trust of the American people and can no longer be considered a reliable source of facts.”

“We are calling for immediate independent investigations into both of these deaths, without interference… Far too many people, Americans and noncitizens alike, are dead as a result of DHS’s reckless actions. There must be accountability and independent investigations,” the lawmakers concluded.

The full text of the letter to DHS Secretary Mullin and ICE Acting Director Venturella is available here.

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

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06), Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI-08), Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) pressed administration leaders at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for answers on the federal response–or lack thereof–to the nationwide outbreak of cyclosporiasis. The parasitic, foodborne infection has spread nationwide, but Michigan has emerged as an epicenter of the crisis, reporting more than 5,000 cases as of July 17.

In their letter to the acting heads of the CDC and FDA, the lawmakers expressed their concerns that recent federal staffing cuts and hollowed-out public health infrastructure are crippling the government’s ability to track the infection, warn the public, and isolate the source.

“While cases have been reported nationwide, Michigan has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, with thousands of confirmed illnesses and new cases continuing to be identified each day. The rapid increase in cases, coupled with the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle our nation’s public health infrastructure, raises serious questions about the federal government’s ability to effectively detect, investigate, and respond to public health emergencies,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers closed the letter with a series of questions and reiterated the importance of a strong public health system: “The people of Michigan — and all Americans — deserve confidence that the food they purchase and consume is safe. They also deserve a strong federal public health system that works in close partnership with state and local h
ealth departments to rapidly identify foodborne threats, provide clear and timely guidance to the public, and prevent additional illnesses.”

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Acting Director Bhattacharya and Acting Commissioner Diamantas:
 
We write as members of Congress from Michigan, with serious concerns regarding the outbreak of cyclosporiasis, a foodborne parasitic infection which has now been detected in at least 34 states and continues to spread without an identified source. While cases have been reported nationwide, Michigan has emerged as the epicenter of the outbreak, with thousands of confirmed illnesses and new cases continuing to be identified each day. The rapid increase in cases, coupled with the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle our nation’s public health infrastructure, raises serious questions about the federal government’s ability to effectively detect, investigate, and respond to public health emergencies.

Cyclosporiasis is a foodborne illness that causes frequent diarrhea, along with other symptoms which can be severe, including abdominal pain, nausea, fatigue, vomiting, and dehydration. To the best understanding of experts in foodborne illness, infection can occur when people consume food contaminated with infected human fecal matter. It generally does not spread from person to person, and the incubation period can take days to weeks after exposure, making outbreaks difficult to trace and contain. Furthermore, many individuals never receive diagnostic testing, while others experience mild or no symptoms, meaning numerous infections likely go unreported. As a result, the official case numbers may represent only a fraction of the outbreak’s actual size.

Michigan has reported more than 3,700 cases — by far the largest concentration identified anywhere in the country — with reported cases increasing by approximately 20 to 30 percent each day. Michigan records roughly 50 cases of cyclosporiasis annually, meaning the current numbers are extremely alarming. The scale of the current outbreak represents one of the largest foodborne illness investigations the state has undertaken in recent years.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has been working tirelessly to interview individuals testing positive for cyclosporiasis for common food exposures. Their work has pointed to potential sources of illness, including lettuce and salad greens. However, identifying the contaminated product and preventing additional illnesses requires the full capacity of our nation’s public health infrastructure, particularly where supply chains cross state and international borders.

To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) — the two regulatory entities primarily responsible for responding to foodborne illness outbreaks — have yet to identify a specific source responsible for the outbreak, meaning Americans searching for the best available guidance from experts on how to keep themselves and their families safe are left without one reliable, central source for information. It is more important than ever that Americans receive timely, detailed, and science-based guidance on how to reduce their risk of infection and how to best protect themselves and their families.

While the nature of the parasite is likely a factor in a source not yet being identified, staffing cuts at key agencies like CDC and FDA raise serious questions about a lack of necessary expertise and of the ability to adequately respond to the outbreak. Since Fiscal Year 2024, CDC staffing has reportedly declined by about 27 percent, including staff at the National Center for Emerging and Zoonotic Infectious Diseases (NCEZID), which is responsible for preventing the spread of illnesses like cyclosporiasis. Likewise, thousands of employees were fired from the FDA in early 2025, including staff from the Human Foods Program, which oversees food safety at the agency. These cuts have limited agencies’ ability to prevent, track, and respond to this kind of outbreak.

We are also concerned by changes that have weakened the nation’s foodborne illness surveillance systems. The Administration has made states use of FoodNet, the Foodborne Diseases Active Surveillance Network, optional for all but two pathogens, limiting yet another tool we have historically relied on. FoodNet has long provided critical data to help investigators identify, monitor, and track cases of foodborne illness caused by eight specific pathogens including cyclospora. Experts have warned that the loss of this data could hinder health officials’ ability to track cases and identify trends that could point to a particular source.

Given the seriousness of this outbreak and the concerns surrounding the ability of CDC and FDA to manage this ongoing outbreak with limited resources, we respectfully request your response to the following questions by July 24, 2026.

1. What is CDC’s current assessment of the scope of the ongoing cyclosporiasis outbreak, including the total number of confirmed and suspected cases by state?

a. Can you explain what factors may be limiting the ability to obtain an accurate case count?

2. What investigative steps have CDC and FDA taken to identify the source of this outbreak? Has the CDC and FDA met with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services regarding this outbreak?
   
3. Do CDC and FDA agree with the assessment of Michigan health officials identifying lettuce or salad greens as the possible source of illness?

4. What barriers are preventing CDC and FDA from acting on leads identified by Michigan investigators?

5. When do CDC and FDA anticipate being able to identify the source of this outbreak?
  
6. How many CDC and FDA personnel are currently assigned to this investigation, and how does that compare to staffing levels for comparable foodborne illness outbreaks over the past five years?
  
a. Do you plan to hire additional staff to manage and investigate the source of this outbreak?

7. How has making states’ participation in FoodNet optional for cyclosporiasis surveillance affected CDC’s ability to detect, monitor, and investigate the current outbreak?
 
a. Is there any plan for CDC to recommend restoring mandatory participation in FoodNet? If not, why?

8. Can you detail the coordination between CDC, FDA, state health departments, and other partners to identify the source of contamination?

9. What steps is CDC advising the public to take to keep themselves safe? Please share the latest food safety guidance that has been issued.

10. What efforts are CDC and FDA taking to spread awareness and educate the public on the risks of illness and preventative measures?

The people of Michigan — and all Americans — deserve confidence that the food they purchase and consume is safe. They also deserve a strong federal public health system that works in close partnership with state and local health departments to rapidly identify foodborne threats, provide clear and timely guidance to the public, and prevent additional illnesses. We appreciate your prompt attention to this matter and look forward to your response.

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

Today, New Democrat Coalition Chair Brad Schneider (IL-10) and New Dem Trade & Tariffs Task Force Chair Don Beyer (VA-08) issued a statement in opposition to the Sanctioning Russia Act, which would grant the President power to enact more sweeping tariffs without Congressional approval.

“The American people do not want and cannot afford more of President Trump’s illegal, cost-raising tariffs. Unfortunately, the Sanctioning Russia Act is nothing more than a backdoor attempt to greenlight tariffs of up to 100 percent on our major trading partners while surreptitiously handcuffing Congress’ ability to stop Trump from further escalating his global trade war.

“New Dems wholly support leveraging strict sanctions to punish those who fuel, drive, and profit from Russia’s war of aggression on Ukraine. There are many commonsense proposals in Congress to support Ukraine’s efforts to defend its freedom and sovereignty – this legislation is most definitely not one of them. Instead, it undermines U.S. support for Ukraine when they need us most.

“We urge our colleagues to block this effort to hand over more tariff power to a President who is hellbent on spreading chaos and corruption, raising costs on American families, and destroying our most vital trade relationships.”

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

Washington, D.C, – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Bill Keating, Ranking Member of the Europe Subcommittee, led Democrats today in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio raising concerns that the State Department is politicizing counterterrorism work at the expense of American national security.

The letter comes as the Department hosts a so-called international conference focused exclusively on left-wing political extremism even as it guts the vital offices and programs that once combated violence and extremism of all forms through apolitical data-driven expertise.

A PDF copy of the letter can be found here.

“While the strategy notes that ‘counterterrorism operations will be executed apolitically and founded upon reality-based threat assessments,’ the absence of basic data or evidence within the strategy to justify the ranked order is deeply concerning, especially in light of previous Democratic and Republican administrations, including the first Trump administration, highlighting the domestic terrorism threat posed by a range of groups; including the threat of racially-motivated violent extremism. For example, in a 2019 Congressional testimony, former FBI Director Christopher Wray testified in response to a question about the Bureau’s response to a prevalence of violent extremist murders being committed by White supremacists or other far-right groups saying violent extremism, including racially-motivated violent extremism, posed a significant threat to the United States and was thus elevated to a national threat priority on par with ISIS…

“In an official statement to the Times, the State Department said it was working with international partners to counter “antifa-aligned terrorism.” The same Times investigation reported that the State Department was planning a summit later this month focused on addressing far-left extremism. In a June 5 briefing to Congress, senior State Department officials stated that while a summit was being planned for this summer, its focus and scope had not yet been finalized. 

“The Department’s reported focus on far-left extremism at the expense of other kinds of violent extremism is troubling on several grounds: First, the State Department does not have a domestic mandate that would encompass “Antifa” in the United States. The Department has failed to clarify whether taxpayer dollars will be used illegally to target U.S. citizens in the United States or abroad as it purportedly counters far-left extremism. Second, the State Department has made no indication that it is taking an apolitical and comprehensive approach to countering violent extremism.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued the following statement raising serious concerns with the Senate’s Russia sanctions bill:

“I’ve said it repeatedly: we need to help Ukraine and sanction Russia to end its brutal war of aggression against its neighbor. I am encouraged by the Senate’s renewed urgency to pass Russia sanctions legislation in honor of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, but the text released this week misses the moment.

“This is not so much a sanctions bill as it is a massive backdoor authority for President Trump to impose more tariffs, including on our European allies, that hurt American families. The sanctions the bill does contain are entirely at Donald Trump’s discretion, and he has made clear repeatedly that he would rather waive sanctions on Russia than impose new ones.

“I urge my colleagues in the Senate to redirect this momentum toward a bipartisan, bicameral product that would actually mandate devastating sanctions on Russia and those fueling its illegal war. This does not require starting from scratch; I remain open to negotiating a good faith compromise built on the Ukraine Support Act that passed the House in June on a bipartisan basis. What I won’t support is handing President Trump a Trojan horse for tariff authorities he has repeatedly abused. That does nothing to help Ukrainians under Russian attack, and nothing to help the American families who pay the price for Trump’s tariffs.”

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Bryan Steil (Wisconsin-1)

Janesville, WI – Today, Congressmen Bryan Steil (WI-01), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), Glenn Grothman (WI-06), Tom Tiffany (WI-07), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), and Tony Wied (WI-08) wrote to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, requesting the department review available actions under the U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement (AQA) to help address ongoing wildfire smoke in Wisconsin originating from Canada. 

“Record-breaking wildfire smoke is inflicting real harm on Wisconsin families. We cannot allow this to continue. Canada must meet its clean air promise and prevent future wildfires from impacting Wisconsin families,” wrote the Representatives. “We write to respectfully request that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) take all appropriate measures under the U.S.-Canada AQA to address the impact of Canadian wildfire smoke on families in the Great Lakes Region and the Northeast.”

Read the letter here.

Background:

• Smoke from recent wildfires, including those originating in Canada, has drifted into the United States, creating hazardous air quality ratings across Wisconsin.
• On Thursday, July 16, 5 of the 10 worst areas for air quality in the world were in southern Wisconsin. 
  • Air Quality Index ratings exceeded 500 in many portions of Wisconsin, including Brown, Waukesha, and Kenosha Counties. 
  • Milwaukee saw its worst air quality on record, with an AQI of 566 – significantly higher than cities like Beijing (73) and Delhi (160).
• Wildfires like those originating in Canada are a source of significant pollutants including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulate matter.

• The U.S.-Canada Air Quality Agreement was signed by the U.S. and Canada in 1991 and expanded in 2000. The agreement is designed to help reduce toxic air pollutants including ozone and particulate matter.

• The letter requests that the EPA utilize this mechanism to address the impacts of ongoing wildfires and help mitigate future occurrences.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. District Judge Sunshine S. Sykes has ordered the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to immediately overhaul conditions at the Adelanto ICE Processing Center after finding that detainees are likely to succeed on claims that their constitutional and disability rights are being violated. 

The ruling stems from a class-action lawsuit brought by detained immigrants and immigrant rights organizations citing detainee deaths, inadequate medical care, insufficient nutrition, and unsafe drinking water, unsanitary living conditions, and failures to accommodate people with disabilities. 

Judge Sykes ordered DHS and ICE to implement sweeping reforms to medical care, sanitation, food service, recreation, disability accommodations, and visitation while the litigation proceeds. Within 14 days, ICE must submit a comprehensive remedial plan for medical care and disability accommodations, and two independent, court-appointed monitors will oversee compliance.

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), who has conducted oversight of the Adelanto facility, pressed ICE officials over documented abuses, and has called for its closure for more than a decade released the following statement: 

“Today’s ruling affirms what we have known all along. Detainees held at Adelanto have been suffering and dying in unacceptably cruel and inhumane conditions. And those who have raised the alarm, including detainees participating in a hunger strike whom I met with last month, have faced solitary confinement or even deportation in retaliation for speaking out.

ICE must comply fully and immediately with the court’s order, implement every required reform without delay, and ensure that every person in its custody receives the constitutional protections and basic human dignity they are owed.

While this ruling is an important victory for detainees and their families, it cannot erase the years of preventable suffering that occurred before the court intervened. I will continue fighting to permanently close the Adelanto ICE Processing Center because no amount of court supervision can fix a detention system that has repeatedly failed to protect human life.”

Since the start of President Trump’s second term, five people have died while in ICE custody at Adelanto or shortly after being transferred from the facility. At least 13 people have died in connection with Adelanto since it opened, making it one of the deadliest ICE detention centers in the country. Over the years, detainees, advocates, medical professionals, and oversight officials have documented serious concerns at the facility, including delayed medical treatment, unsanitary conditions, inadequate access to hygiene products, barriers to communicating with attorneys and family members, and deaths that even ICE has deemed preventable.

The Adelanto ICE Processing Center is operated by GEO Group, a private prison contractor that receives millions of taxpayer dollars each year to detain immigrants on behalf of the federal government.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, D.C.) — On Friday, July 17, 2026, Congressman Al Green commemorated the enduring legacy of civil rights icon and former Congressman theHonorable John Lewis, whose remarkable courage and commitment to justice helped transform America by securing and protecting the fundamental right to vote.

Congressman John Lewis’ leadership during the Civil Rights Movement, including his willingness to face violence on the Edmund Pettus Bridge during the historic march known as Bloody Sunday, inspired the conscience of our nation and helped lead to the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. His sacrifice, along with the sacrifices of countless others, expanded the promise of democracy and reaffirmed that every American deserves an equal voice at the ballot box.

Congressman Al Green stated, “Today, I honor my friend and former colleague, Congressman John Lewis. His leadership was a testament to the power of courage, conviction, and nonviolent resistance. On the Edmund Pettus Bridge, he and others endured unspeakable brutality so that generations of Americans could exercise the right to vote. We must never forget what it took to secure the right to vote, because it takes less to keep it than to get it. It is a peaceful instrument through which every American can make their voice heard, hold government accountable, and help shape a more perfect union. As we commemorate and honor Congressman John Lewis’ legacy, let us continue making good trouble by defending the right to vote and by renewing the call to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act.”