MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01), a member of the key House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for all federal discretionary funding, yesterday voted for final House passage of a measure consolidating three more of twelve annual appropriations bills for the current Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 (commencing October 1, 2026).  

The measure, which passed the House, included Case’s requests for funding of hundreds of millions to federal programs of direct benefit to Hawai‘i. It also included all of Case’s six requests for Community Project Funding in these three measures to specific projects throughout his district.  

The measure includes three bills, starting with $39 billion to fund the Department of the Interior, including the National Parks Service (NPS), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Environmental Protection Agency.

The measure also includes $63 billion for the Department of Energy, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ (USACE) civil works programs and various energy programs.

Finally, the measure includes $81 billion for Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) and Related Agencies programs that support the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Department of Justice and various science agencies.   

Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Bill 

The Interior, Environment and Related Appropriations bill funds the U.S. Department of the Interior, including the National Park Service, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Forest Service and various independent agencies including the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities. 

The bill includes Case’s request for a Member-designated Community Funding Project (CPF) of $1,092,000 to the Department of Hawaiian Homelands (DHHL) to upgrade the sewer infrastructure at Papakōlea.  

“Papakōlea is the only Hawaiian Home Lands community located in central Honolulu with more than 300 homes and some 1,300 residents,” said Case.

“As the infrastructure in Papakōlea ages, the sewer system has become susceptible to cracks, root intrusions and other defects that diminish the effectiveness of the service lines. My CPF will assist DHHL to work on a sewer line rehabilitation/replacement program for the community.” 

The House’s CPF rules require that each project must have demonstrated community support, must be fully disclosed by the requesting Member and must be subject to audit by the independent Government Accountability Office.

Case’s disclosures are here: https://case.house.gov/services/funding-disclosures.htm.  

The measure approved several of Case’s priority requests, including: 

·        $4.75 million for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s State of the Birds Activities to respond to the urgent needs of critically endangered birds that now face possible extinction. These funds are helping to save numerous endemic birds in Hawai‘i that have been devastated by climate change and avian malaria.

·        $45.5 million for the U.S. Geological Survey Biological Threats and Invasive Species Research Program.

·        $64 million for the U.S. Geological Survey’s Climate Adaptation Science Centers, which includes the Pacific Islands Climate Adaptation Science Center based out of the University of Hawai‘i-Mānoa. These centers provide regionally relevant scientific information, tools and techniques to resource managers and communities in Hawai‘i in response to our changing climate.  

·        $62 million for State Historic Preservation Offices which help preserve Hawaii’s treasured historic properties.

·        $76 million for State Fire Assistance, which provides financial and technical support directly to states to enhance firefighting capacity, support community-based hazard mitigation and expand outreach and education to homeowners and communities concerning fire prevention. 

·        $4.6 million for Japanese Confinement Site Grants and funding for the Amache National Historic Site, which was one of ten incarceration sites established by the War Relocation Authority during World War II to detain Japanese Americans who were forcibly removed from their communities on the West Coast.  

·        $3 million for the Joint Fire Science Program, which supports a national collaboration of fire science exchanges providing science information to federal, state, local, tribal and private stakeholders.

A summary of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Appropriations is here.

Energy and Water Bill 

The Energy and Water bill funds the Department of Energy (DOE), the USACE’s civil works programs, the Bureau of Reclamation and agencies focused on nuclear energy. 

The bill includes numerous wins for Hawai‘i requested by Case, including funding for USACE programs that aid in the preservation of Hawaii’s coastlines across all seven inhabited islands. Specifically, the bill includes $2 million to study avenues of protection for public infrastructure on small beaches from erosion and damage caused by storms and natural wave currents; $2 million for regional sediment management, construction, operations and regulatory functions in the coastal zone; and $36.5 million for programs which manage aquatic weeds in public waters.

Notably, one of Case’s highest priorities, an instruction to the USACE to improve plans to upgrade Honolulu Harbor, was included in the bill. This provision directs the USACE to investigate modifications to Honolulu Harbor to better handle the impacts of military operations in the state and throughout the Indo-Pacific as a whole, which can open up additional federal resources for the planned improvements of Honolulu Harbor.

Also included in the bill is $9.5 million for a USACE program that aids in the planning, designing and construction of small projects for commercial navigation purposes such as channels, breakwaters and jetties. This funding will assist in statewide harbor modifications.

Other energy and water related programs and provisions requested and secured by Case in the measure include: 

·        $2 million for the USACE’s beach erosion and hurricane and storm damage reduction activities.

·        $40 million for flood control and coastal emergency efforts.

·        $18 million for the USACE’s National Coastal Mapping Program, which provides high-resolution elevation and imagery data along the U.S. shorelines on a recurring basis which can provide a better understanding of human uses, issues and constraints in coastal regions.

·        $36.5 million for the USACE’s Aquatic Plant Control Program, which conducts research and development of biological, chemical, cultural and ecological capabilities for controlling invasive aquatic plants.

·        Language modifying a clean energy program under DOE that has been widely beneficial for Hawai‘i. The newly named Energy Technology Innovation Office, previously known as the Energy Transitions Initiative, supports island and remote communities by providing personalized technical and financial assistance. Case recently introduced legislation to make this program permanent. (See here for more details.)

·        Language directing the DOE to investigate potential benefits of small-modular nuclear reactors as a source of clean, domestically sourced electricity for remote, noncontiguous U.S. areas such as Hawai‘i.

A summary of the energy and water provisions is here.

 CJS and Related Agencies 

The CJS and Related Agencies Appropriations bill supports the U.S. Department of Commerce, including the International Trade Administration, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Institute of Standards and Technology; the U.S. Department of Justice; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA); the National Science Foundation (NSF) and more.

During deliberations last year in his Appropriations Committee, Case secured a direction to the federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to produce its agreements with other federal agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for use by those other agencies of BOP facilities such as the Federal Detention Center (FDC)-Honolulu. The amendment was prompted by BOP’s refusal to provide Case its agreement with ICE and details on ICE’s use of FDC-Honolulu and other facilities for ICE detainee needs.

Case remarked that a request by a Member of Congress for such information was a normal part of legislative, funding and oversight duties and any refusal to produce such information was not acceptable.

His amendment was adopted, and his remarks in Committee (which also addressed support for funding of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), especially given Hawaii’s recent tsunami and hurricane close calls) are here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7mFWp4FpWc 

Through his assignment on the Committee, Case also secured his following five Community Project Funding requests that specifically focused on local needs in Hawai‘i: 

·        $1 million for the Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources to survey and remove invasive coral spread at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam. 

·        $1 million  for the University of Hawai‘i for its Fireshed Partnerships program, which would facilitate wildfire risk reduction.  

·        $1 million for the Hawai‘i Division of Aquatic Resources to restore fishpond habitat and enhance water quality at Maunalua Fishpond.  

·        $1.15 million for Hawai‘i Pacific University to develop its Aquaculture Program, improving the workforce pipeline and bolstering the aquaculture industry in Hawaiʻi. 

·        $1 million for the Honolulu Police Department to do acquire a new Emergency Mobile Command Vehicle to replace its current vehicle which is over 20 years old.  

Other provisions which Case requested and were included in the measure to fund the Department of Justice include:

·        $397 million for Byrne Justice Assistance Grants (Byrne-JAG). Byrne-JAG is the leading federal source of criminal justice funding to state and local jurisdictions. The funds are used to support a range of program areas including law enforcement; prosecution and court; prevention and education; corrections and community corrections; drug treatment and enforcement; planning, evaluation and technology improvement; and crime victim and witness initiatives.  

·        $800 million for Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS). The COPS program provides funding directly to law enforcement agencies to hire and/or rehire additional career law enforcement officers to increase their community policing capacity and crime prevention efforts.  

·        $54 million for grants to reduce the sexual assault kit backlog.

·        $48 million for the Anti-Methamphetamine and Anti-Heroin Task Forces.  

·        “Rising crime, both related and unrelated to gun violence, is of great concern to us all, and must be combatted at all levels of government,” said Case. “State and local law enforcement need increased assistance from our federal government to address crime at the state and local level.”

“The funding I secured in the bill will help local and state law enforcement to not only investigate and prosecute crime but will also go to prevention and education programs to stop crime before it happens.” 

The provisions which Case won support to fund various science initiatives include:

·        $250 million for the Established Program to Stimulate Competitive Research, which enhances the research competitiveness of Hawai‘i by strengthening STEM capacity and capability.

·        $104 million for the Climate Laboratories and Cooperative Institutes program to support the maintenance and needed repairs at the Atmospheric Baseline Observatories, including the Mauna Loa Observatory where the famous Keeling Curve proving rapid climate change was developed.  

·        $143 million for STEM Engagement Programs at NASA including Space Grant, to inspire young people to pursue future careers in science and engineering.  

·        $33.5 million for the Coral Reef Conservation Program.  

·        $67 million for Sanctuaries and Marine Protected Areas, which supports Papahānaumokuākea and our Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale sanctuaries.  

·        $178 million for Marine Mammals and Sea Turtles Protection, which safeguards our Hawaiian monk seals, dolphins, false killer whales and green sea turtles.  

·        $47.5 million for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), which supports our Hawaii’s Pacific Island (Pac) IOOS. PacIOOS provides easily accessible coastal and ocean observing and forecasting to increase ocean safety and protect public and environmental health.

·        $17 million for the Regional Integrated Sciences and Assessments program, which provides vital research that allows communities to prepare for and respond to long-term shifts in weather patterns, resource availability and coastal conditions.

·        $34 million for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System, which includes support for education and restoration of coastal and marine habitats in He‘eia .

·        $80 million for the Sea Grant Program, which supports the Hawaiʻi Sea Grant Program at the University of Hawaiʻi that promotes healthy coastal ecosystems, sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, resilient communities and economies and environmental literacy and workforce development.  

Provisions which Case secured to promote commerce in Hawaiʻi include:

·        $175 million for the Manufacturing Extension Partnership Program. This public-private partnership has centers in all 50 states, including Hawaiʻi, dedicated to serving small and medium-sized manufacturers.

·        $4 million for the Minority Business Development Agency specifically for the Native American Business Development Program that awards grants to Tribes and American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian populations to address barriers to economic development, and another $5 million for grants to American Indian, Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian entities qualified to provide business, financing and technical assistance.   

·        $3.5 million for the Assistant Secretary of Travel and Tourism position, which Case worked to establish in the Visit America Act to drive a cohesive federal response to the challenges facing the industry.

A summary of the CJS and Related Agencies Appropriations funding bill is here. 

The omnibus measure funding these agencies now moves on to the full U.S. Senate for consideration.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas)

WASHINGTON – This week, Congressman Ron Estes (R-Kansas) joined Bipartisan Fiscal Forum (BFF) Co-Chairs Bill Huizenga (R-Michigan) and Scott Peters (D-California), in addition to Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-Pennsylvania), and Mike Quigley (D-Illinois), to introduce House Resolution 981 establishing a clear fiscal goal – reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product (GDP) or lower. Known as the “3% Resolution,” this measure establishes growing bipartisan agreement that Congress must adopt a concrete, achievable target to begin restoring fiscal discipline and confronting the nation’s escalating debt crisis.

With the federal deficit hovering around 6% of GDP in Fiscal Year 2025 and the national debt at historic levels, the 3% Resolution boldly calls for a straightforward, no-nonsense framework for action to put the nation on a more sustainable fiscal path and protect future generations from severe economic consequences. 

You may read the text here. In addition to Rep. Estes and the two cochairs, the 3% Resolution is also cosponsored by the entire BFF Steering Committee, including Reps. Ed Case (D-Hawaii), Steve Womack (R-Arkansas), Jimmy Panetta (D-California), Erin Houchin (R-Indiana), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Washington), Blake Moore (R-Utah), Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pennsylvania), Dusty Johnson (R-South Dakota), and Jared Golden (D-Maine), as well as House Budget Chairman and BFF Co-Chair Emeritus Jodey Arrington (R-Texas).

In addition to the entire BFF Steering Committee cosponsoring the legislation, the 3% Resolution has gained significant support right out of the gate. 

“Reining in the deficit is essential for protecting taxpayers and preserving economic opportunity. This bipartisan resolution by Reps. Bill Huizenga and Scott Peters establishing a 3% deficit-to-GDP goal over five years provides a meaningful benchmark for getting our fiscal house in order. The best way to meet this target is for Congress to pursue thoughtful, long-term spending reforms and tax policies that encourage investment, work, and innovation. The resolution also gives the Congressional Budget Office an important role in assessing how major legislation would affect progress toward meeting these deficit-reduction goals, helping to keep lawmakers on track,” said Demian Brady, Vice President of Research, National Taxpayers Union Foundation.          

“Only Congress can fix federal finances. That’s why it’s good to see an emerging new framework from Representatives Huizenga, Peters, Smucker, and Quigley: reduce the deficit to 3% of GDP through an effective congressional budget process with credible backstops. Building consensus on the goals can open the door to serious conversations about how to get there,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy, Americans for Prosperity.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) announced the inclusion of funding totaling more than $19,792,000 that she secured for California’s 26th Congressional District in the Fiscal Year 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act (H.R. 6938). This funding ensures continued federal investments in important infrastructure and public safety initiatives across the region.

“Every year, I am eager to deliver for my constituents by fighting for the federal funding that is needed to keep our communities moving forward,” said Congresswoman Brownley. “I am so proud to have continued my strong partnership with local leaders and community stakeholders across the region as we advanced our shared commitment to improving and strengthening the lives and livelihoods of all those who call Ventura County home.

“From securing critical resources to support victims of crime to replacing dilapidated pipelines across the county to bolstering engines of job growth like our ports and harbors, this package of bills allows for substantial investments that will upgrade regional infrastructure, strengthen our local economy, and improve public well-being.

“I am so pleased that the House approved funding for these critical community initiatives with overwhelmingly bipartisan support. As these spending bills get considered by the Senate and make their way to the President’s desk, my hope is that the important provisions included for Ventura County in the funding package will be delivered promptly and without modification.”

The FY2026 Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies portion of the bill includes the following Community Projects:

• $1,031,000 for the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office East County Family Justice Center Project
• $900,000 for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department DNA Automated Workflow Project

The FY2026 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies portion of the bill includes the following Community Projects:

• $1,092,000 for the Calleguas Municipal Water District Lake Bard Pump Station Project
• $1,092,000 for the City of Oxnard for Cast Iron Pipe Replacement Project
• $1,092,000 for the City of Santa Paula Cross-Town Pipeline Project

Additionally, the Energy and Water Appropriations portion of the bill continues programmatic funding championed by Brownley for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers projects in Ventura County, including:

• $8,230,000 for dredging of Channel Islands Harbor
• $5,980,000 for dredging of Ventura Harbor
• $375,000 in donor port funds for the Port of Hueneme

In total, Brownley secured over $19,792,000 million for critical investments throughout Ventura County and the Conejo Valley in this appropriations package.

The text of the funding package and Joint Explanatory Statements for each division are available here. 

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on January 8, 2026 with a strong bipartisan vote of 397-28. The legislation is expected to be considered by the U.S. Senate in the coming days before heading to the President for signature.

In December, the first 3 appropriations bills were enacted. Congress is still working to come to agreement on the remaining 6 appropriations bills ahead of the January 30th expiration of the current continuing resolution.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Local Issues, Transportation and Infrastructure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) joined Representatives Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), Darren Soto (FL-09), House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (NY-5), and 69 House Democrats in a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem demanding they immediately restore Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Venezuelans following the Trump Administration’s military action in Venezuela.

On Saturday, January 3, 2026, the Trump Administration conducted a major military operation in Venezuela, without Congressional authorization or notification, to depose and arrest Nicolás Maduro, leading to further instability in the nation. TPS is designed to protect immigrants from nations destabilized by war, violence, or natural disasters from deportation back to unsafe conditions.

“Hundreds of thousands of lawful Venezuelan residents who benefited from TPS…are facing deportation in the coming weeks to instability, desperate poverty and danger—conditions that have become even more dangerous since President Trump ordered military strikes and special operations to remove dictator Nicolás Maduro,” the Members wrote. “Many Venezuelans are hiding out in their homes, terrified of follow-on strikes or harassment by the regime which remains in place.”

“While Maduro was captured and brought to the United States to face justice, his criminal accomplices remain in power,” wrote the Members. “We are disturbed that the Administration has vocally backed these individuals, who are complicit in the worst abuses of the Venezuelan regime over the last decade, while dismissing the pro-democracy leadership of the legitimate president-elect, Edmundo González, and Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader María Corina Machado.”

Other signers of the letter include: Reps. Amo, Balint, Barragán, Bell, Bonamici, Brown, Carson, Casten, Castor, Cherfilus-McCormick, Chu, Cisneros, Cleaver, Conaway, Crockett, Dean, DeSaulnier, Doggett, Elfreth, Escobar, Espaillat, Frankel, Frost, Robert Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Goldman, Gottheimer, Green, Huffman, Jonathan Jackson, Julie Johnson, Kamlager-Dove, Krishnamoorthi, Larson, Susie Lee, Lieu, Lynch, McBride, McGovern, McIver, Menendez, Meng, Moskowitz, Moulton, Nadler, Norton, Pallone, Panetta, Pingree, Pou, Pressley, Raskin, Rivas, Salinas, Scanlon, Schakowsky, Scholten, Robert Scott, Titus, Tokuda, Torres, Trahan, Vargas, Waters, Watson Coleman, and Wilson.

The lawmakers’ full letter to Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem is available HERE and below:

Dear Secretary Rubio and Secretary Noem:

We write to urge you to immediately restore Temporary Protected Status for Venezuelans following the Trump Administration’s military action in Venezuela. Conditions in the country are deeply unstable and dangerous, and the still-intact Venezuelan regime, emboldened by support from the President of the United States, has doubled down on repression and brutality since taking power.

The Trump Administration’s calamitous decision to terminate TPS for Venezuelans in January 2025 was rooted in a determination that conditions in the country had improved. This claim was baseless at the time, and, with the regime left in place, it is certainly untrue now. This termination of lawful status has caused unimaginable fear and anxiety for law-abiding Venezuelan families, who passed criminal background checks, earned work permits, and paid fees and taxes.

Hundreds of thousands of lawful Venezuelan residents who benefited from TPS are set to lose their employment authorization, which will have devastating economic consequences for essential sectors in Florida and across the country. Many are facing deportation in the coming weeks to instability, desperate poverty and danger—conditions that have become even more dangerous since President Trump ordered military strikes and special operations to remove dictator Nicolás Maduro.

This administration has not just abandoned Venezuelans in the diaspora, they have abandoned the Venezuelans that remain in Venezuela, who yearn for freedom and a democratic transition. While Maduro was captured and brought to the United States to face justice, his criminal accomplices remain in power, including de facto interim president Delcy Rodriguez, Defense Minister Vladimir Padrino López, and Interior Minister Diosdado Cabello (who was indicted alongside Maduro in 2019). We are disturbed that the Administration has vocally backed these individuals, who are complicit in the worst abuses of the Venezuelan regime over the last decade, while dismissing the pro-democracy leadership of the legitimate president-elect, Edmundo González, and Nobel Peace Prize winning opposition leader María Corina Machado.

The worst fears of the Venezuelan community were confirmed as President Trump stated that Delcy Rodriguez will be empowered to “make Venezuela great again” and underscored that his objective was extracting oil resources from the country rather than ending the suffering of Venezuelans and promoting a peaceful, democratic transition of power.

In the days since the U.S. military operation commenced, which included missile and drone strikes in densely populated areas of Caracas that damaged residential buildings and injured innocent bystanders, the Venezuelan regime has enacted a new law criminalizing any expression of support for Maduro’s exit from the country. Dozens of people have been arrested and jailed, including journalists, for sending text messages or issuing social media posts related to the news. Many Venezuelans are hiding out in their homes, terrified of follow-on strikes or harassment by the regime which remains in place.

In light of these developments, we urge you to immediately rescind the revocation of TPS for Venezuelan beneficiaries and extend these critical protections for law-abiding Venezuelans who are genuinely fearful of being sent back to the same murderous regime under new management.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Today, Reps. Jack Bergman and Sarah Elfreth introduced bipartisan legislation to strengthen care for Veterans living with traumatic brain injuries (TBI). The BEACON Act modernizes the Department of Veterans Affairs’ approach to TBI treatment by expanding access to innovative, evidence-based, non-pharmacological therapies that support long-term recovery and quality of life.

Since 2000, hundreds of thousands of Veterans have sustained a traumatic brain injury, often accompanied by complex mental health challenges. Traditional treatment models have relied heavily on medication-centered approaches, which have not always fully addressed the long-term and individualized needs of these Veterans, leaving gaps in recovery, wellness, and post-service outcomes.

“The men and women who served our country deserve access to the best care available, especially when it comes to invisible injuries like traumatic brain injury,” said Rep. Bergman. “The BEACON Act strengthens the VA’s ability to deliver modern, effective care by bringing proven innovation, academic expertise, and community partnerships to the table, while supporting the important work the VA is already doing.”

“As the granddaughter of a veteran who suffered from PTSD, I’ve seen firsthand the complex mental health challenges that our veterans and their families face. I’ve also seen how traditional VA treatments have come up short for decades to fully address the complex challenges our veterans face – and unfortunately, my family’s story is far from unique,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “I’m proud to work with Congressman Bergman on the bipartisan BEACON Act to expand veterans’ access to nontraditional, evidence-based therapies, as well as integrate civilian and academic research and expertise into VA treatment. For the hundreds of military families I have the honor of representing, this expansion of care will make a real difference.”

The BEACON Act establishes two complementary grant programs within the Department of Veterans Affairs to accelerate the development, evaluation, and adoption of innovative, non-pharmacological treatments for mild to moderate traumatic brain injury. These programs are designed to close gaps in care by supporting evidence-based therapies that improve mental health recovery, reduce suicide risk, and strengthen long-term health outcomes for Veterans.

Through a TBI Innovation Grant Program, the legislation supports clinical studies, clinician training, Veteran and family outreach, and partnerships between community providers, academic institutions, and the VA. An Independent Research Grant Program further advances third-party research and the implementation of proven alternative treatments, with oversight by an independent entity modeled after the VA’s National Center for PTSD to ensure scientific rigor and accountability.

By integrating civilian and academic expertise into VA treatment strategies, the BEACON Act enhances Veterans’ access to modern, effective care while complementing and strengthening existing VA programs. The legislation prioritizes recovery, resilience, and quality of life for Veterans as they transition to post-service life.

The BEACON Act is backed by a number of key organizations:

“Veterans deserve a system that can identify what works, validate it, and scale it quickly. The BEACON Act does exactly that through VA grants supporting innovative treatment, clinician training, outreach, and partnerships. Avalon Action Alliance is honored to serve veterans through our six TBI centers nationwide, and we thank Reps. Bergman and Elfreth and the original cosponsors for recognizing this need and working together for those who have served,” said Joe Brennan, CEO of Avalon Action Alliance.

“As a congressionally chartered organization with more than 250,000 members nationwide, AMVETS believes veterans deserve every effective tool available to heal from TBI. The BEACON Act will expand access to innovative, evidence-based care and promote partnerships that meet veterans where they live. We thank Reps. Bergman, Elfreth, and the original cosponsors for advancing a bill that prioritizes better outcomes, including stronger mental health recovery and suicide prevention,” said Joseph R. Chenelly, Executive Director of AMVETS.

“The effects of a traumatic brain injury can’t always be seen from the outside, but show up around kitchen tables, in broken sleep, and strained marriages. Too often, we have asked veterans to navigate a system that treats symptoms instead of people. A system that relies on pills instead of purpose. A system that, despite good intentions, has left too many veterans feeling unseen, unheard, and alone. The American Legion refuses to accept that as the best our nation can do,” said Cole Lyle, Director of Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation at The American Legion. “Over the years, VA has gotten closer to the veterans it serves. From VAMCs to CBOCs to Vet Centers, and now innovative grant programs like the BEACON Act. This bill reflects a concerted effort by lawmakers and advocates to listen to veterans’ needs and act on their expertise. The bill represents progress. The American Legion is proud to support the passage of the BEACON Act and thanks Representatives Bergman and Elfreth for their leadership on this issue. Because when America commits its sons and daughters to war, it must be just as committed to making them whole when they come home.”

“Studies and reporting show time and again a connection between service-related blast overpressure injuries and increased rates of suicide among service members and veterans. This bipartisan legislation brings together government, academia, and the private sector to align and accelerate research and treatment for traumatic brain injuries to reduce the skyrocketing suicide rates among active duty service members and veterans,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “With Honor is proud to endorse the Veterans TBI Adaptive Care Opportunities Nationwide Act, and we thank For Country Caucus member Rep. Jack Bergman, and our Senate ally, Sen. Dave McCormick, for accelerating innovative, non-pharmacological treatments for traumatic brain injuries.”

In addition to Avalon Action Alliance, AMVETS, The American Legion, and With Honor, the BEACON Act has been endorsed by the Marcus Institute for Brain Health, University of Colorado Anschutz, Disabled American Veterans, America’s Warrior Partnership, Boulder Crest Foundation, Mission Roll Call, and Veterans of Foreign Wars.

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

Rep. Don Beyer will award Nancy Eslick, who most recently served as Senior Deputy Assistant to the Administrator of the Resilience, Environment & Food Security (REFS) Bureau at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award at his Annual Women’s Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience on Thursday, January 15 at George Mason University’s new Fuse building in Arlington.

Since joining USAID in 2001, Nancy Eslick dedicated her career to serving vulnerable communities across the globe. She held key leadership roles including Mission Director in Bosnia & Herzegovina, Cambodia, and Jordan; Global Water Coordinator; and Deputy Assistant Administrator for Private Sector and Donor Coordination, Europe and Eurasia (E&E) Bureau. In February of 2025, Nancy Eslick was one of thousands of USAID employees who lost their job following Donald Trump’s illegal attacks on the agency.

“Nancy’s more than two decades of leadership at USAID is a reminder of the profound difference American leadership can make in the world. The loss of her expertise and dedication, compounded with the loss of so many of her colleagues in the federal foreign and civil service, will do lasting damage to people in this country and around the world. It means fewer children with safe drinking water, fewer women with access to resources that allow them to thrive, and fewer communities with the tools needed to weather conflict, economic instability, and climate disasters,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Honoring Nancy is not only a celebration of her extraordinary service, but also an urgent reminder to continue defending USAID’s mission. We owe it to Nancy, her former colleagues, and the communities they served to ensure that this mission endures.”  

Rep. Beyer’s Annual Women’s Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience program will feature a discussion with Brooke Sydnor Curran, founder of Move2Learn; Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium; Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR); and Zuraya Tapia-Hadley, Executive Director of the Dream Project and Arlington County School Board Member. The discussion will be moderated by Nyree Wright, Executive Vice President of Crisis & Risk Communications at Edelman. The event is free to the public but capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register online.

Rep. Beyer created the Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award while Ambassador to Switzerland in 2011. It is named after his grandmother, who is credited with convincing the Roosevelt Administration to appoint Frances Perkins, the first female Cabinet Secretary in the United States. Clara Beyer served as Secretary Perkins’ right hand, working on child labor issues. She was the first woman appointed as U.S. Representative to the International Labor Organization in Geneva. 

The award is given annually to recognize exceptional work to empower women. Previous awardees include Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Tanya J. Bradsher, Dr. Tahera Ahmadi, journalist Marie Ridder, gun violence prevention advocate Naomi Wadler, rock climber Sasha DiGiulian, diplomat Betty King, PeaceWomen founder Ruth Gaby Vermot, journalist Lisa Feldmann, Arlington community activist Portia Clark, and immigration advocate Ofelia Calderón.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jerrold Nadler (10th District of New York)

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) introduced a resolution opposing elective cat declawing, reflecting the growing consensus among veterinarians, public health experts, and animal welfare advocates that the practice is inhumane and unnecessary. 

Declawing is an invasive procedure where the last bone of each toe is amputated, equivalent to cutting off a human finger at the last knuckle. Surgery is typically performed for the owner’s convenience rather than medical necessity. Research shows that declawing causes lifelong physical and behavioral problems, including chronic pain, mobility issues, and increased aggression.   

New York was the first state to ban elective cat declawing, with a bill spearheaded by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan).  

“Elective declawing is a cruel and outdated practice that offers no medical benefit to cats and instead causes lasting harm,” said Congressman Nadler. “Congress has both the opportunity and the responsibility to voice its opposition to this unnecessary procedure and to support humane, evidence-based alternatives. As the first state to ban elective declawing, New York led the way, and this resolution urges the rest of the country to follow suit.” 

“Paws up to Congressman Nadler for shining a federal spotlight on the grossly inhumane and unnecessary practice of cat declawing,” said New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Sponsor of first-in-the-nation legislation banning cat declawing in New York. “Safeguarding furniture should never come at the expense of our furry family members’ health. I gladly teamed up with the Paw Project to prohibit this abusive practice, and now almost six years later, states across the country are replicating New York’s success.” 

“Cat declawing is a serious surgical procedure that comes with risks to the animal’s wellbeing and should never be performed for the sake of convenience as a way to prevent cats from expressing their natural behaviors” said Allison Ludtke, Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “This resolution builds on the momentum of states and municipalities across the country that have already banned the procedure. ALDF will continue to advocate for similar laws to protect cats from unnecessary harm, and applauds Congressman Nadler for his commitment to animal welfare and the protection of pets nationwide.” 

“The US Congress Resolution to condemn the declawing of cats, introduced by Congressman Jerry Nadler, is an important step in the crusade to protect American cats from a lifetime of pain and suffering caused by declawing, which is actually an amputation of their toe bones. The Paw Project is extremely grateful for this help in our efforts to stop this inhumane surgery,” said Dr. Jennifer Conrad, veterinarian and Director of the Paw Project. 

“Declawing a cat is no different from amputating a human’s fingers at the knuckle, and PETA and the cats we rescue thank Rep. Nadler for helping cats hang on to the claws they need as much as fish need their fins,” said Dan Paden, Vice President of Legal Advocacy at PETA. 

“Elective declawing is a painful and unnecessary procedure that permanently harms cats,” said Allie Taylor, President at Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR). “Voters For Animal Rights applauds Congressman Nadler for introducing this resolution and helping advance a national standard of humane, evidence-based animal care — building on progress already made in states like New York.” 

The resolution highlights concerns raised by veterinary and public health experts, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance discouraging declawing, as well as opposition from organizations such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association. 

The measure also acknowledges the growing number of jurisdictions acting on this issue: in addition to New York, states including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the District of Columbia have enacted bans, while several others have pending legislation. 

The resolution is cosponsored by André Carson (IN-07), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

It is endorsed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Protection League of New Jersey, Animal Rescue League of Boston, Animal Welfare Institute, Associated Humane Societies, Best Friends Animal Society, DC Voters for Animals, Humane World for Animals, Humane World Action Fund, Missouri Alliance For Animal Legislation, MSPCA-Angell, North Shore Animal League America, Paw Project, PETA, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), and Voters for Animal Rights. 

The bill text can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after Julia Brownley announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Congresswoman Julia Brownley is a principled public servant and an incredible advocate for the communities that she so ably represents in Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

From her local school board days advocating for her daughter and other students with disabilities to the California State Assembly where she prioritized the health, safety and well-being of her constituents, Rep. Brownley’s career has been defined by a commitment to making life better for others. She has been an incredible advocate for our veterans, service members and military families, particularly our women veterans. She led passage of the Female Veterans Suicide Prevention Act and the Deborah Sampson Act, critical pieces of legislation supporting the women who have bravely served our nation in uniform. 

A member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Julia has prioritized securing federal funding for the modernization and improvement of the infrastructure that creates jobs and economic growth across Southern California and the nation.

Rep. Brownley is an amazing classmate and good friend with whom I’ve been honored to travel through this congressional journey. She will be missed by the House Democratic Caucus and we wish her and her family the very best in this new chapter. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)