MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Representatives Haley Stevens (D-MI), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Jen Kiggans (R-VA) introduced the bipartisan Prevent Release of Toxic Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer (PROTECT) Act to close major regulatory gaps and strengthen federal oversight of PFAS air pollution – an urgent issue for communities across Michigan.

PFAS are toxic “forever chemicals” that persist in the environment, contaminate the air we breathe and water we drink, and accumulate in the human body. Michigan has hundreds of confirmed and thousands of suspected PFAS-contaminated sites, making Michigan one of the hardest-hit states by PFAS pollution nationwide.

“Michigan communities have lived with PFAS contamination for too long. The PROTECT Act closes dangerous loopholes in how these toxic chemicals are regulated, strengthens oversight of PFAS air pollution, and holds polluters accountable,” said Rep. Stevens. “This is about protecting the public health and safety of every Michigander and delivering real results for Michigan families.”

Rep. Stevens has championed efforts to reduce PFAS exposure to deliver results for Michigan families by strengthening drinking water reporting, securing major PFAS cleanup funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, and introducing the PFAS Free Procurement Act. The PROTECT Act builds on her record of action to address PFAS contamination.

“PFAS are pervasive, man-made chemicals that pose an urgent threat to public health and our environment, and the number of contaminated sites is growing at an alarming rate throughout Michigan and across the country,” said Rep Dingell (D-MI).“I’m proud to be a partner on the bipartisan PROTECT Act to finally address the threat of PFAS in the air we breathe by adding it to the list of hazardous chemicals under the Clean Air Act.”

“It’s more urgent than ever that Congress compels the EPA to act to protect our communities from PFAS forever chemicals,” said Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). “The PROTECT Act will force the EPA to do its job and begin setting emissions reduction standards so our communities can breathe clean air.”

“Clean air isn’t a luxury – it’s a right for every Michigander and every American,” said Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-MI). “As a member of the Congressional PFAS Task Force, I have worked to get PFAS contamination out of our lakes and rivers. Now, I’m proud to be leading the charge to implement emission reductions for these forever chemicals. This is commonsense, bipartisan legislation, and I look forward to working across the aisle to get it passed.”

Clean air protections should reflect how pollution actually occurs,” said Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Co-Chair of the Congressional PFAS Task Force. “PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ are released into the air and spread beyond their point of origin, yet they are not fully regulated as hazardous air pollutants. The bipartisan PROTECT Act corrects that failure by bringing PFAS under the Clean Air Act, strengthening EPA’s ability to prevent exposure and protect public health in Bucks and Montgomery Counties and across the country.”

“Protecting public health is a top priority, which is why I am proud to support the PROTECT Act,” said Rep. Lawler (R-NY). “By classifying all PFAS as hazardous air pollutants, this bill strengthens oversight of toxic emissions and reduces harmful exposure for all Americans. Environmental accountability today ensures a healthier, safer economy tomorrow.

“The science is clear: PFAS causes irreparable damage to the human body and is a major public health concern. Congress must act to ensure distributors of this harmful chemical are put on notice,” said Rep. Jen Kiggans (R-VA). “That is why I am proud to co-lead the PROTECT Act to compel EPA action under the Clean Air Act and ensure the American people are safer from the dangers of PFAS. This bill demands accountability, action, and urgency from our federal agencies to protect families, communities, and future generations.”

The PROTECT Act would:

• Require the EPA to officially classify certain PFAS as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act.
• Identify industries and facilities that release PFAS into the air.
• Begin setting enforceable limits on PFAS air pollution from major sources.
• Strengthen cleanup responsibility and public reporting when PFAS are released into the environment.

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Secretary RFK Jr. and the Department of Health and Human Services announced an overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule.

In response to RFK Jr.’s reckless actions threatening Michigan families, MI Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement.

“RFK Jr. is ignoring decades of reliable science and making our children less safe—this is the latest step. The Secretary of Health and Human Services is supposed to protect the health of the American people. Instead, at every turn, RFK Jr. actively chooses to make our country sicker.

“RFK Jr.’s conspiracy agenda is dangerous and unacceptable. He must be impeached. I urge my colleagues in Congress to join me in holding RFK Jr. accountable and cosponsor my Articles of Impeachment. As elected officials, we have a responsibility to end this dangerous anti-science agenda and keep Michigan families safe.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. –

In response to today’s military actions in Venezuela, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“Without Congressional approval, President Trump launched strikes on a foreign capital and seized the leader of another country. I’m grateful our service members made it home, but they never should have been sent on this mission in the first place. Michiganders don’t want more wars. I voted to put a stop to Trump’s military buildup in Venezuela, and I will work with my colleagues in Congress in the coming days to demand answers and accountability.

“While the people of Venezuela and the world are safer with Maduro’s violent regime out of power, the Trump Administration is putting the world on a slippery slope to a more dangerous, lawless future. Simultaneously, rather than work with Congress to lower costs for Michigan families, President Trump is planning to force Michiganders to cover the billions of dollars it will take to rebuild and run Venezuela. Taking over another country while Americans can’t afford their rent and groceries is unacceptable.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, voted to pass the bipartisan Breaking the Gridlock Act, legislation that would end the Republican-driven health care price hike by extending Affordable Care Act premium tax credits for three years and helping millions of Americans afford their health coverage.

“Republicans broke our health care system, exploding costs for hardworking families so they could pay for a tax cut that overwhelmingly benefits the wealthiest in our country,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Today’s bipartisan vote in the House sends a clear message to the GOP-controlled Senate – pass this legislation immediately and save Americans’ health care.”

As of January 1, 2026, Republicans in Washington allowed critical Affordable Care Act premium tax credits to expire, driving up health insurance costs for millions of Americans who purchase coverage on their own. The impact has been immediate and severe, hitting working families, small business owners, and the self-employed with dramatic premium increases they cannot afford. In Massachusetts alone, an estimated 328,000 people were set to see their health care costs rise, including 65,400 individuals at risk of losing coverage altogether.

Despite months of efforts by House Democrats to prevent this crisis before the end of 2025, Republicans in Congress rejected every opportunity to reach a bipartisan agreement to protect Americans’ health care. Instead, they approved the longest government shutdown in history and later advanced supplemental legislation that would have resulted in an additional 100,000 Americans losing their health coverage.

In December, House Democrats filed a discharge petition to extend the ACA premium tax credits for three years. That effort secured the required 218 signatures to bring the Breaking the Gridlock Act to the House floor, leading to today’s vote. Seventeen Republicans joined all House Democrats in passing the legislation, sending the bill to the Senate for further consideration.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Today, Lois Frankel (FL-22) released the following statement after voting to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits for three years.

“Everyday costs are already too high, and extending Affordable Care Act assistance will help keep millions of Americans from being forced to choose between seeing a doctor and paying their rent,” said Rep. Frankel. “Senate Republicans and Donald Trump must now step up to stop a full-blown health care crisis.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
January 9, 2026                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT SECURES CRITICAL FUNDING FOR VIRGIN ISLANDS IN BIPARTISAN APPROPRIATIONS PACKAGE

Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-VI) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Commerce, Justice Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026. This legislation provides critical funding for the U.S. Virgin Islands, rejects the Trump Administration’s proposed $163 billion in cuts from domestic programs, and protects funding for clean energy, environmental protection, scientific research and public safety grants. The legislation will now be taken up and considered by the U.S. Senate before moving to the President’s desk for signature.

“This funding package delivers meaningful results for the Virgin Islands while standing firm against reckless cuts that would have devastated our communities,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “I am pleased to announce the bill includes $1,172,000 in Community Project Funding specifically for critical Virgin Islands programs: $1,031,000 for the Family Resource Center Emergency Shelter and Victim Services Expansion Project and $141,000 for Project Cultiv8te, which provides after-school programming as a gun violence intervention strategy for at-risk youth.

“These funds are in addition to eight Community Project Funding requests secured in November of 2025, which included two significant mental health projects, $857,000 to the St. Clair Institute to renovate the St. Clair House of mental health and substance abuse recovery services and $788,000 to the Bush Tea and Therapy Foundation to expand the Frederiksted Center for Community Wellness.  Just as importantly, Democrats eliminated every single extreme policy provision Republicans attempted to attach to this bill.”

“This is what effective representation looks like,” Congresswoman Plaskett stated. “We delivered direct resources for our community while protecting the programs Virgin Islanders depend on. We rejected Trump’s slash-and-burn approach and eliminated every poison pill Republicans tried to attach.” 

This funding package provides $117,217,000 to the Office of Insular Affairs, which administers federal assistance to the U.S. territories and freely associated states, for general technical assistance, maintenance, disaster assistance, coral reef initiatives, and natural resources activities.

This bill provides $10.4 billion in water infrastructure through the Army Corps of Engineers ($3.8 billion above the request), $3.1 billion for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy programs ($2.2 billion above the request), and $8.8 billion for the Environmental Protection Agency (nearly double the requested funding). It preserves programs President Trump tried to eliminate, including funding the Weatherization Assistance Program at $329 million,  the National Endowments for the Arts and Humanities at $207 million respectively, and increasing Violence Against Women Act grant funding to $720 million.

Beyond funding allocations, the bill includes strong guardrails against executive overreach and strengthens congressional oversight. It mandates minimum staffing levels for key agencies including the EPA, Forest Service, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service, and Bureau of Land Management—preventing the Trump administration from undermining their core missions. The Administration would be required to notify Congress before moving funds and the bill secures appropriations levels through detailed funding tables, preventing unilateral shifts of hundreds of millions of dollars. The package secures resources for the Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum and National Museum of the American Latino.

“The Virgin Islands and communities across America are better off because Democrats held the line on our values and priorities,” said Congresswoman Plaskett. “We reasserted Congress’s power of the purse, addressed rising energy costs, invested in community safety and water infrastructure, and protected the environment—all while eliminating every extreme policy provision that would have harmed our communities.”

Background: This appropriations package builds on P.L. 119-37, the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2026, which provided continuing appropriations through January 30, 2026, and full-year appropriations for Agriculture, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction-Veterans Affairs. The current package does not provide funding for other departments or agencies, including Defense, Financial Services, Homeland Security, Labor-HHS-Education, State-Foreign Operations, and Transportation-HUD, which have temporary funding expiring at the end of this month. Congresswoman Plaskett will continue to advocate for full-year appropriations for these remaining departments to ensure stable funding for critical services affecting the Virgin Islands.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (USVI)

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland
January 9, 2026                                                   202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

PLASKETT STATEMENT ON SHARK ATTACK AT DORSCHE BEACH

St. Croix, USVI –  Congresswoman Plaskett released the following upon learning about the horrific shark attack at Dorsche beach:

“It is with profound sadness that we acknowledge the tragic death of Arlene Lillis, 56, of Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, who lost her life Thursday following a shark attack at Dorsch Beach on St. Croix.

“Our hearts go out to her husband, Richard Lillis, and to all of her family and friends during this unimaginably difficult time. The loss of a loved one under such devastating circumstances is beyond words, and our entire community shares in their grief.

“We are deeply grateful to the emergency responders who acted swiftly in their efforts to provide assistance, along with the brave bystanders who stepped in; we extend our sympathies to all those affected by this heartbreaking incident.

“Ms. Lillis’ family remains in our thoughts and prayers.”

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

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today voted for U.S. House passage of a measure to revive and extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits for another three years. The premium tax credits, which assist over twenty million Americans including over 24,000 Hawai‘i residents with their health care, expired at the end of last year.

 “Today’s successful bipartisan vote in the House confirms what I have been saying all along: that while Americans, including Members of Congress, can disagree on various issues, nobody can disagree that the cost of living and overall affordability, including health care, are unacceptably high for all Americans and getting worse,” said Case.

“This House approval offers a ray of hope not only for a bipartisan solution to our many challenges, but specifically to the millions who depend on the ACA for their basic health care. With mutual commitment, we should be able to solve this challenge and move on to our many others.”

The measure, which was forced to a full House vote against the opposition of the current House majority leadership by a rare procedure referred to as a “discharge petition”, which Case signed, passed the House on a vote of 230-196. It now moves to the U.S. Senate.

Case is part of a bipartisan group of Representatives and Senators who have been working for months (more here) and met again today to further develop a compromise measure that can pass both the House and the Senate.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06) helped to successfully force a vote in the U.S. House of Representatives to lower health care costs for hundreds of thousands of Coloradans.

Crow voted to extend lifesaving Affordable Care Act tax credits to make health care more affordable for over 300,000 Coloradans. Despite Republican opposition, the bill passed the House and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

In a statement, Congressman Crow said:

“Life is too expensive for Colorado families. The costs of health care, housing, and education continue to rise under Trump, and Coloradans deserve action.

“For months, Democrats have sounded the alarm to protect health care, but Republicans have refused to act. Thanks to the leadership of House Democrats, today’s vote was a crucial step towards lowering health care costs for millions of hardworking Americans. 

“As Trump engages in rank corruption and wastes taxpayer dollars on foreign nation-building, I’m focused on what matters to Colorado families: making life more affordable and lowering the cost of health care. Now, the Senate needs to do its job and pass this bill. Coloradans can’t afford to wait.”

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