Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)
April 4, 2025
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PHOTOS: Rep. Kustoff, Gov. Lee Visit Severe Storm Damage in McNairy County
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN) and Governor Bill Lee visited Selmer in McNairy County to survey storm damage and meet with state and local officials.
“Roberta and I are praying for those who lost loved ones and who have been impacted by the devastating storms in West Tennessee,” said Congressman Kustoff. “Thank you to all of our first responders who are working to help those in need. I am staying in constant communication with state and local officials. Governor Lee and I are committed to ensuring our community has the assistance it needs to rebuild and recover.”
“West Tennesseans face a long road to recovery after severe weather, and there is great hope in seeing how communities are coming together to serve their neighbors in this time of need,” said Gov. Lee. “Maria and I lift all those impacted up in prayer and thank state and local officials, law enforcement, first responders and road crews for their quick response. We will continue to look for every opportunity to support local recovery efforts.”
Click here to download more images from the day.
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Pelosi Statement on President Trump’s Senseless Tariffs
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California
Philadelphia – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on the Trump Administration’s global tariff policies:
“The Trump Administration’s flagrant ineptitude is tanking our economy in a self-inflicted disaster that leaves hardworking American families bearing the brunt of the pain.
“Make no mistake: President Trump’s senseless tariffs will drive prices higher, drain retirement savings and push us to the brink of recession.
“In 1988, President Ronald Reagan said, ‘America’s most recent experiment with protectionism was a disaster for the working men and women of this country. When Congress passed the Smoot-Hawley tariff in 1930, we were told that it would protect America from foreign competition and save jobs in this country. The actual result was the Great Depression.’
“He continued: ‘We should beware of the demagogs who are ready to declare a trade war against our friends – weakening our economy, our national security, and the entire free world – all while cynically waving the American flag.’
“President Reagan’s words were true then and they’re true today. Hopefully Trump and our Republican colleagues will heed his wisdom.”
Larsen, Jayapal, DelBene, Strickland, Randall, Smith and Schrier Call on ICE and DHS to Answer Questions about Bellingham Raid
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02), along with Rep. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Rep. Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Rep. Emily Randall (WA-06), Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09) and Rep. Kim Schrier (WA-08) have sent the following letter to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons and DHS Secretary Noem.
Dear Secretary Noem and Acting Director Lyons:
We write to express our deep concerns over the recent actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) across Washington State. We are especially alarmed at the recent ICE raid that took place in Bellingham, Washington. Raids like this have devastating consequences for our communities.
On Wednesday in Bellingham, ICE officers entered a workplace, pointed guns at employees, and took away 37 community members in unmarked vans. For months, the Trump administration has insisted that their deportation efforts are focused on “the worst of the worst” and true public safety threats. In reality, there is no indication that the people detained this week are anything other than dedicated parents working hard to support their families and positive contributors to their communities.
Because of this raid and other detainments across the country, the fear of being taken away at gunpoint in unmarked vans is becoming widespread. This fear leaves students and employees scared to go to class and to go to work. It cripples our small businesses and local economies. And critically, it makes it more difficult for state and local law enforcement to build and maintain trust with the communities they serve. ICE actions like the raid that took place in Bellingham are making our communities less safe.
Every individual detained has a right to due process, including the right to speak to an attorney. We will be closely monitoring these cases to ensure that ICE is following the law.
To that end, we request that you immediately provide the following information:
- Details on individuals ICE encountered during the enforcement action, including the number of people who were taken into custody, broken down by gender, age, nationality, immigration status, and rationale for targeting them in a raid.
- Information on how many of those arrested had previously received a stay of removal, order of supervision or other form of prosecutorial discretion pursuant to prosecutorial discretion guidelines in place prior to January 2025.
- Information on how many of those arrested have pending asylum claims.
- The manner in which ICE may or may not have collaborated with state and local law enforcement agencies.
We look forward to your response.
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Congressman García’s Statement on the Temporary Release of Constituent from ICE Custody
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)
“Mr. González came to this country to save his brother’s life”
CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) issued the following statement on the temporary release of José Gregorio González from ICE custody:
“I am relieved that my constituent José Gregorio González is free after being detained and sent out of state. What happened in Cicero, in my district, is outrageous. Mr. González came to this country to save his brother’s life by donating a kidney, but ICE locked him up. No one should be arrested for trying to save a life.
“This wasn’t just an attack on José—it was an attack on our values, on our families, on every immigrant who dares to love and care for their own. The Trump administration’s continued weaponization of immigration laws and criminalization of immigrants is a disgrace. It’s wrong, it’s cruel and inhumane, and it must end now. Although we celebrate his release, we will not stand by while our communities are terrorized. We will continue to demand accountability and humanity.”
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Rep. LaMalfa Recognized for Leadership in Forestry and Rural Industry
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Doug LaMalfa 1st District of California
Washington, D.C.—Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Richvale) was selected to receive the 2025 Congressional Leadership Award from the American Loggers Council (ALC) and the American Biomass Energy Association (ABEA) for his work to support the timber and biomass industries, improve forest management, and reduce wildfire risks. Each year, ALC and ABEA recognize one Republican and one Democrat in Congress for their leadership on forestry policy.
“Our forests are in trouble, and the policies coming out of Washington have too often made things worse. Decades of hands-off management have left our forests overgrown and our logging infrastructure on the verge of collapse, all while catastrophic wildfires get worse,” said Rep. LaMalfa. “We need active management, and we need it now. I appreciate this recognition from the American Loggers Council and the American Biomass Energy Association, and I’ll continue working towards solutions that keep our forests healthy and our rural economies strong.”
Rep. LaMalfa has led efforts in Congress to cut red tape and restore active management, pushing for legislation that prioritizes wildfire prevention, hazardous fuels reduction, and timber industry stability, including:
- The Fix Our Forests Act, which cuts bureaucratic red tape to allow for better forest management.
- The TORCH Act, which streamlines wildfire prevention efforts.
- The Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act, which provides critical funding to rural areas affected by declining timber receipts.
- $75 million in federal funding for shaded fuel breaks across California.
Congressman Doug LaMalfa is Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus and a lifelong farmer representing California’s First Congressional District, including Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, Siskiyou, Sutter, Tehama and Yuba Counties.
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Schweikert Leads Legislation Targeting Fentanyl and Foreign Evasion
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman David Schweikert (R-AZ), alongside China Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar (R-MI), Ranking Member Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), and Congressman Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) introduced the Manifest Modernization Act— legislation that will help law enforcement track fentanyl precursors entering the U.S., identify major sanction evasions schemes meant to skirt American law, and will uncover Uyghur and forced labor in supply chains. Currently, only ocean vessels must publicly disclose manifest information. The bill would extend the public disclosure requirement to aircraft, truck, and rail manifests.
Millions of shipments entering the country each day face little scrutiny. Public disclosure of shipping manifests is critical for tracking imports of unsafe or illegal goods like fentanyl, goods made with forced labor, trade-based money laundering and illicit finance, sanctions evasion, and counterfeit goods.
“Modern problems require modern solutions. Transparency and advanced data analytics can close the gap drug traffickers and bad actors exploit to smuggle illicit drugs and goods into the country,” said Rep. David Schweikert [AZ-01]. “The Manifest Modernization Act is like putting headlights on a car that was driving with one out—you’re not reinventing the system; you’re just completing it.”
“The Manifest Modernization Act closes a critical loophole, ensuring air, truck, and rail shipments are held to the same standards as goods arriving by ship. By requiring public disclosure of this shipment data, we’ll improve enforcement against unsafe and illicit goods—effectively stopping fentanyl, counterfeits, and products made with forced labor. This legislation also targets PRC companies that transship through third countries to dodge President Trump’s tariffs, leveling the playing field for American workers,” said House Select Committee on China Chairman John Moolenaar [MI-01].
“The Manifest Modernization Act will strengthen and secure our supply chains by improving transparency and efficiency at our ports of entry. By modernizing outdated customs processes, this bipartisan bill will help prevent illicit goods, such as fentanyl, and products made with forced labor in the PRC from entering our country while ensuring lawful shipments can move swiftly and safely,” said Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi [IL-08].
“We need to shine a light on the labor and supply chains responsible for unsafe shipments entering the United States by air, land, and rail. Hiding import data allows the abuse of human rights to flourish in the shadows,” said Rep. Lloyd Doggett [TX-37]. “Our legislation seeks to improve accountability while giving American consumers the confidence they are not purchasing products that contributed to environmental harm, forced labor or any other form of wrongdoing, or laced with fentanyl.”
Background on the Manifest Modernization Act:
- Under current law, when an import enters the U.S. via ocean carrier, vessel manifest information must be publicly disclosed while imports that arrive via aircraft, truck, or rail do not.
- Ocean vessels have long been required to disclose manifest information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), including the name and address of the shipper, general character of the cargo, number of packages and gross weight, name of vessel or carrier, port of exit, port of destination, and country of destination.
- In 1996, Congress expanded disclosure requirements to include aircraft manifests to help law enforcement and trademark holders track counterfeit goods.
- However, due to a drafting error in a later bill, courts have ruled that aircraft manifests are not subject to public disclosure. Vehicles, including trucks and rail, have never been required to disclose manifest information.
- Today, nearly half of the value of imports comes either by air or land. Ocean manifest data has aided investigations that have identified major Russia sanctions evasion schemes, uncovered Uyghur forced labor in supply chains, tracked tainted pharmaceutical products, and helped law enforcement find shipments linked to criminal activity, including drug smuggling.
- Businesses also rely on data gleamed from ocean manifests to find and evaluate suppliers, identify new customers, research market trends, and protect their intellectual property.
- The Manifest Modernization Act would simply require all imports to be publicly disclosed by CBP to the American public.
You can read the full bill text here.
SCHNEIDER LEADS HOUSE DEMS IN DEMANDING ANSWERS ON IRS FIRINGS, IMPACTS FOR TAXPAYERS
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)
The Department of Treasury’s plan to shrink the IRS workforce will have devastating effects on taxpayer service, tax compliance and enforcement, and, ultimately, revenues
WASHINGTON, DC – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, is leading a group of 22 Democrats in demanding answers from Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent about IRS workforce cuts, revenue losses, and his plan to maintain quality of services despite cuts.
In a letter sent on April 2, 2025, the group of lawmakers relayed their deep concerns that the Treasury Department has not fully considered the real-world impact of its actions to gut the IRS and requests the Department:
- Provide details on its specific target for the number of workforce cuts at the IRS, including the timeline for staff reductions and departments where reductions will occur;
- Share the estimate of the expected revenue loss from the scheduled staff reductions at the IRS;
- Detail the steps being taken to ensure the remaining IRS workforce is adequately equipped to provide the services needed by taxpayers; and,
- Provide its plan to ensure taxpayers receive timely, excellent service after staff reductions are complete.
“We have seen concerning media reports that the IRS is rolling back audits as the Treasury Department reduces the IRS workforce and cuts thousands of jobs,” the members wrote. “The Administration has already fired 7,400 probationary employees—or seven percent of all IRS employees, mostly from enforcement staff—and has implemented a hiring freeze. Additionally, 4,700 employees at IRS have accepted the deferred resignation offer. Reporting has shown that as IRS agents leave the agency, the IRS is closing audits before they are complete, and some were even closed without seeking money owed.”
“We are deeply concerned the Treasury Department has not fully considered the real-world impact that these actions would have on the American public,” the members continued. “Implementing major changes to the workforce will no doubt result in diminished taxpayer services, which would have devastating consequences for taxpayers in need of assistance. Laying off thousands of employees that are directly involved in collecting unpaid taxes does not improve the efficiency or effectiveness of the IRS; it will only reduce taxpayer services and ultimately cost the government tens of billions of dollars in revenue, thereby increasing our nation’s deficit and adding to our debt.”
Full text of the letter is available here.
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SCHNEIDER ON TRUMP TARIFFS: TRUMP’S MAKING THE WRONG KIND OF HISTORY
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)
WASHINGTON – Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s announcement of reciprocal tariffs:
“The President keeps using tariffs. I don’t think tariffs work the way the President thinks. The headlines tell the story…
The Wall Street Journal: “The Dumbest Trade War in History.”
CNN: “Trump aide says tariffs will raise $6 trillion, which would be largest tax hike in US history”
Daily Telegraph: “Trump is plotting the biggest tax rise in global history”
Trump’s making the wrong kind of history.
Republicans must join with Democrats and put Congress back in the driver’s seat.”
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Congresswoman Norma Torres Blasts Trump’s Tariffs for Harming California Families and Businesses
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
April 04, 2025
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Norma Torres today condemned President Donald Trump’s newly announced tariffs, warning that they represent an existential threat to working families and businesses in California’s 35th Congressional District.
“Donald Trump’s tariffs are a direct tax on working families, and we’re already paying the price. This is an economic nightmare that will force businesses to slash costs, which means layoffs, higher prices, and an impending recession,” said Congresswoman Torres. “The residents of my district—many of whom are already scraping by—cannot afford the chaos Trump is creating.”
California’s Inland Empire, a key economic engine for the state, relies heavily on trade and manufacturing industries such as agriculture, logistics, and construction. These sectors will be obliterated by Trump’s tariffs. Businesses that depend on imported goods will face immediate cost hikes that could bankrupt them, resulting in widespread job losses and economic collapse. Union jobs, the lifeblood of working-class families, will be first on the chopping block as businesses struggle to survive.
“He’s not just hurting businesses—he’s jeopardizing the futures of millions of seniors,” Torres continued. “Just look at the stock market today—retirement accounts are hemorrhaging, and for millions of Americans, their life savings are disappearing. These are people who’ve worked their entire lives, only to be told by Trump that they’ll never retire with dignity. For seniors on fixed incomes, like Social Security, the damage is immediate and irreversible. These price hikes will crush them—forcing them to choose between food, medicine, or basic necessities. And for those with their savings tied up in 401(k)s, retirement is slipping farther out of reach. This is financial ruin for the most vulnerable among us. This is economic malpractice, and I will fight it with everything I’ve got!”
The ripple effect of Trump’s tariffs will be catastrophic. As people lose their retirement savings, they will cut back on spending, throwing local economies into a tailspin. Small businesses will close, and demand for goods and services will plummet. This isn’t just a downturn—it’s an economic meltdown. If Trump’s tariffs are allowed to stand, the damage will devastate California’s economy for years to come, increase inflation, and raise the cost of housing. This will hit hardest in the communities that can least afford it.
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