MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

For Immediate Release                             Contact: Tionee Scotland

July 16, 2026                                                    202-808-6129

PRESS RELEASE

CONGRESSWOMAN PLASKETT STATEMENT ON THE 21ST CENTURY ROAD TO HOUSING ACT BECOMING LAW

Washington, D.C. — Congresswoman Stacey E. Plaskett (D-USVI) issued the following statement after the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act became law, following the expiration of President Trump’s ten-day window to sign or veto the bipartisan legislation:

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act authorizes the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program for three years and establishes a dedicated Long-Term Disaster Recovery Fund in the Treasury Department. For the people of St. Croix, St. Thomas, and St. John, who know all too well what it means for Congress to pass one-off recovery funding after a storm has already taken everything, this is not an abstract policy win. It means faster resources, fewer bureaucratic delays, and a program that exists before disaster strikes rather than one we have to fight to rebuild from scratch every hurricane season.

“This law also removes the requirement that manufactured homes be built on a permanent chassis, a change that will lower construction costs and open up new design options for families in the Virgin Islands who rely on manufactured and modular housing to recover after a storm. It also directs the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to study how building codes and financing can expand modular construction, and reauthorizes the PRICE grant program for seven years for the repair, preservation, and improvement of existing manufactured homes and manufactured home communities.

“The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act also strengthens financing for families trying to rebuild their homes. It creates a Whole-Home Repairs pilot program to provide grants and forgivable loans directly to homeowners and landlords for repairs and modifications, and a small-dollar mortgage pilot at the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) to expand access to loans under $100,000. It also raises the loan limits on FHA-insured manufactured housing loans, so families can finance the full cost of the homes many of them depend on.

“This bill passed both chambers of Congress with large bipartisan majorities. It reflects the work of members on both sides of the aisle, including a new Treasury program pairing larger banks with Minority Depository Institutions and rural banks, and streamlined chartering rules to help new community banks form in underserved areas. 

“The people of the Virgin Islands do not have the luxury of treating disaster recovery as a political football. We have lived through Hurricanes Irma and Maria. We know what it costs a family, a business, a whole community, when Washington drags its feet. This law does not fix every inequity faced by the Virgin Islands, but it is a meaningful step toward the kind of dependable disaster recovery infrastructure the Virgin Islands has needed for generations.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

July 16, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON–U.S. Representative Greg Steube announced today he introduced articles of impeachment against John E. Steele, Senior District Judge for the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida, for high crimes and misdemeanors after he ordered the release of a convicted plane hijacker from ICE detention, disregarding the immediate danger the individual posed to the public and giving the executive branch less than 24 hours to appeal. “This is exactly the kind of activist judicial overreach the American people are sick of. ICE had a convicted aircraft pirate in custody while pursuing his removal, and Judge Steele ordered him released within 24 hours despite obvious public safety concerns,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Judges do not get to override the safety of the American people because it is inconvenient for their docket. I introduced these articles of impeachment because federal judges must be held accountable when they abuse their office and put criminal aliens ahead of the communities they are sworn to protect.” The Department of Homeland Security also condemned Judge Steele’s decision, with DHS Acting Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis calling it “yet another example of an activist judge trying to thwart President Trump’s mandate from the American people to remove criminal illegal aliens from our country.” On July 8, 2026, Judge Steele granted a habeas corpus petition and ordered the release of Miakel Guerra Morales from an ICE detention facility. Guerra Morales is a Cuban national who took part in the 2003 hijacking of a commuter aircraft in Cuba, forcing the pilot to land in Key West, Florida. He was sentenced to 264 months in prison for aircraft piracy and conspiracy to interfere with a flight crew. After completing his sentence, ICE detained Guerra Morales in December 2025 while pursuing his removal from the country. The articles of impeachment allege that Judge Steele abused his judicial discretion, ignored federal regulations authorizing continued detention of aliens who pose a special danger to the public, and ordered Guerra Morales’ release within 24 hours, denying the executive branch the opportunity to pursue appellate review. The resolution states that Judge Steele cited an alleged case management backlog as a basis for releasing an individual convicted of aircraft piracy back into American communities. The resolution argues that Judge Steele’s ruling placed the interests of a criminal illegal alien above the security of the United States and the American people, and that his conduct constitutes an egregious dereliction of duty unbecoming of a federal judicial officer. The full text of the resolution is available here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“So, until we are able to codify gender equality in the Constitution, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion policies have supported women in every aspect of their lives.”

WASHINGTON – During a House Oversight Committee Task Force on Defending Constitutional Rights and Exposing Institutional Abuses hearing, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) blasted Trump and Republicans for their anti-DEIA attacks and harmful impact on women. In her remarks, Rep. Pressley emphasized the importance of enshrining the Equal Rights Amendment into law while demanding answers and transparency on the administration’s anti-DEI policy changes. 

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s remarks is available below and the video is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

July 16, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. —Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) led a group of 111 Democratic House members in a nationwide call to end family detention and shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in South Texas. In the letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the lawmakers highlight the brutality of family detention and the lasting trauma inflicted on children.

The lawmakers outlined the conditions at the facility leading to lasting trauma, writing, “Parents describe horrendous conditions at Dilley, leading to severe depression, hopelessness, and suicidal ideation amongst their children. Children have reported that their food is often contaminated with worms and mold and that they feel sick after drinking tap water. Families also report not being able to sleep at night because the lights are kept on in their rooms throughout the night….Medical care provided by CoreCivic staff is delayed, denied, and in many cases outright dismissed, even when children are suffering life-threatening medical emergencies.”

The lawmakers highlighted DHS’s violations of court-ordered protections of children’s rights, writing, “Despite this cruelty, your agency violates the Flores Settlement Agreement by routinely detaining children and families past the general 20-day detention limitation governed by the Flores Settlement Agreement (FSA). The FSA requires that children in immigration custody must be held in the least restrictive setting appropriate to their needs and be detained no longer than 20 days in unlicensed facilities. The Trump Administration consistently and systematically violates these requirements.”

The lawmakers called on DHS to terminate its contract with CoreCivic and shut down the facility, writing, “Many kids cannot comprehend why their lives suddenly went from spending their days at school learning and playing with their friends to being imprisoned at Dilley with no end in sight. We demand that you terminate CoreCivic’s contract to operate the Dilley facility and shut down the Dilley Immigration Processing Center immediately.”

BACKGROUND:

The Biden Administration shut down Dilley in June 2024 after several human rights violation concerns were raised, such as inhumane conditions inflicting trauma on children, women, and families. Since January 2026, Congressman Castro has conducted six congressional oversight visits to the Dilley Trailer Prison to inspect conditions and meet with mothers, children, and fathers.

Congressman Castro added, “No child should be in a place like the Dilley Trailer Prison. Under Trump, ICE is ripping children away from their families, school, and lives. They are given food and water that makes them sick. The lights never go off and they can’t sleep. When they need medical care, they are often ignored. So many kids I met with, like Liam Ramos, are depressed. They don’t understand what they’ve done wrong to be locked away. They should be treated like kids—not criminals. I am grateful that over 100 of my colleagues in Congress are joining the fight to shut down the Dilley Trailer Prison. Dilley must be shut down and we will not stop until we free the children.”

The letter is co-signed by: Gabe Amo (RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Ami Bera (CA-06), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), André Carson (IN-07), Greg Casar (TX-35), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Lou Correa (CA-46), Angie Craig (MN-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Veronica Escobar (TX-16), Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús G. “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Al Green (TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Pablo Hernández (PR-AL), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Jonathan Jackson (IL-01), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), John Larson (CT-01), George Latimer (NY-16), Summer Lee (PA-12), Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Mike Levin (CA-49), Sam Liccardo (CA-16), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), James McGovern (MA-02), LaMonica McIver (NJ-10), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Rob Menendez (NJ-08), Grace Meng (NY-06), Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (NY-12), Richard Neal (MA-01), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Frank Pallone (NJ-06), Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Nellie Pou (NJ-09), Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Greg Stanton (AZ-04), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Ritchie Torres (NY-15), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), Marc Veasey (TX-33), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Nikema Williams (GA-05), Frederica Wilson (FL-24).

Read the full letter here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and Pat Ryan (NY-18), co-chairs of the Monopoly Busters Caucus, are introducing the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act, legislation to break up dominant meatpacking monopolies, rein in foreign-controlled corporate giants, and end unfair pricing practices that raise costs for American families and box out local farmers and ranchers. The legislation is bicameral, introduced in the Senate by Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY).

“Massive corporations are driving up prices, making it unaffordable for working people to put food on the table,” said Jayapal. “It is a failure of our government to have allowed these corporate interests to swallow up the market, raising costs and putting hundreds of thousands of family farms out of business in the process. This bill is a critical step to level the playing field — to give independent ranchers and farmers a fair shot while ultimately lowering grocery bills for American families.”

“Meatpacking monopolies are crushing hard-working small farmers, ranchers, and business owners—and are jacking up food prices for all of us,” said Congressman Deluzio. “In the richest country in the history of the world that likes our meat, we can’t let it become a luxury good. Let’s pass this bill to break up these monopolies and bring some relief to everyone they’re squeezing at the grocery store right now.”

“Every time we walk into the grocery store, Hudson Valley families are getting squeezed by high prices because a few greedy corporations are raking in record-breaking profits. That’s unacceptable. Instead of taking on the monopolies driving up costs, like the four meatpacking companies that dominate the market, our fundamentally broken system rewards their greed while punishing our family-run grocers, farms, and restaurants,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “As the President’s wars and tariffs hurt our small businesses, we should be focused on lowering costs, strengthening our supply chains, and putting working families ahead of corporate special interests. This bill would break up the monopolies jacking up costs and give our local grocers and farms some extra support. I’ll keep fighting to crack down on price gouging, take on greedy monopolies, and make sure every family can afford to put food on the table.”

“Trump keeps driving prices higher and higher. The American people are rightfully fed up,” said Leader Schumer. “Every visit to the grocery store has turned into relentless sticker shock for working families. It’s a consequence of Trump’s failed economic policies and the stranglehold the meatpacking monopoly holds over supply chains and grocery stores. Democrats in the Senate and House are united in bringing down costs for consumers, and I’m proud to champion the Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act to tackle the skyrocketing food costs and deliver the relief working families demand and deserve.

Consolidation in the meatpacking industry is rampant. For instance, 85 percent of the U.S. beef market is controlled by just four companies: Cargill, JBS, Tyson, and the National Beef Packing Company. This corporate consolidation allows these giants to unfairly extract value and take home maximum profits at the expense of farmers and consumers. 

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act imposes structural reforms to restore competition to the industry. Specifically, it: 

1. Makes it unlawful for a major meatpacking conglomerate to control more than one major type of meat, i.e., pork, chicken, beef;
2. Imposes hard caps on the concentration of beef markets at both the regional and national levels and authorizes the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to order divestiture from the market if those caps are exceeded;
3. Prohibits foreign leverage over the domestic meat market, empowering FTC to protect competition and national security;
4. Directs the FTC to enforce against discriminatory pricing practices in retail and wholesale meat markets that hit independent and neighborhood grocers the hardest;
5. Authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide financial assistance, loan guarantees, and technical assistance to farmers’ cooperatives and small business concerns to acquire meatpacking facilities divested under the Act; and
6. Creates enforceable penalties for corporations that fail to properly divest, enforceable under the FTC Act. 

This legislation builds upon a field hearing hosted by the Monopoly Busters Caucus earlier this year in which an independent rancher testified to the harmful effects of consolidation in the meatpacking industry.

“North Dakota has some of the highest quality beef in the nation, and my fellow ranchers deserve a larger share of the profit for their hard work,” said Travis Anderson, North Dakota cattle rancher and member of Dakota Resource Council and the National Family Farm Coalition. “Breaking up the dominant meat processing companies while addressing horizontal integration would make the overall industry more fair and competitive, while also providing consumers with more affordable and abundant choices at the grocery store.”

“The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act takes on a root cause of the factory farm system that has devastated rural communities, workers, public health, and family farmers – the market power of a handful of giant meatpackers,” said Patty Lovera, policy advisor for the Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment. “It’s time to break up the massive companies that have consolidated livestock production and rigged the market against independent producers.”

“Today, we will lose 63 farmers, and at the same time, Americans struggle to feed their families, and that’s no accident,” said Joe Maxwell, president of Farm Action Fund. “It’s the predictable result of decades of unchecked consolidation that has allowed a handful of corporations to control our food system. As a fourth-generation family farmer, I have witnessed this takeover firsthand. The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act begins restoring the freedom to farm, the freedom to compete, and the freedom for families to afford the food they need. We applaud Representatives Jayapal, Deluzio, Ryan, and the other sponsors for confronting concentrated corporate power and standing with America’s farmers, workers, and consumers.”

“For decades, four meatpacking giants have used their monopoly power to drive up grocery bills and squeeze out the farmers and ranchers who feed America,” said Morgan Harper, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the American Economic Liberties Project. “Rep. Jayapal’s bill takes direct aim at the root of the problem by breaking up the big four meatpackers and restoring real competition. Americans deserve food markets that reward hard work, not corporate gatekeepers. Congress should seize this opportunity to stand with families, farmers, and independent businesses instead of monopoly power.”

The Family Grocery and Farmer Relief Act is also sponsored by Representatives Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Jesus G. “Chuy” Garcia (IL-04), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Henry C. (“Hank”) Johnson, Jr. (GA-04), Summer Lee (PA-12), Emily Randall (WA-06), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

It is endorsed by American Economic Liberties Project (AELP), Campaign for Family Farms and the Environment (CFFE), Consumer Federation of America, Demand Progress, Farm Action Fund, Food & Water Watch, Groundwork Action, Montana Cattlemen’s Association (MCA), National Family Farm Coalition (NFCC), Open Markets Institute (OMI), and Small Business Majority.

Issues: Jobs, Labor, & the Economy

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (R-NC) applauded House passage of the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act, legislation he originally sponsored alongside Representative Riley Moore (R-WV) and Representative Andy Barr (R-KY), to stop financial institutions from tracking law-abiding Americans who shop at gun stores.

“Law-abiding gun owners should not have their purchases tracked just because they are exercising their Second Amendment rights,” said Rep. Hudson. “I was proud help lead this legislation from the start, and I’m glad the House passed it to protect the privacy and Constitutionally protected freedoms of Americans.”

In addition to Representatives Hudson, Moore, and Barr, the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act is cosponsored by 132 House Republicans. The bill prohibits credit card companies and banks from using Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) to separate firearm retailers from other sporting goods or general merchandise stores, which could be used to monitor lawful gun purchases and build a backdoor registry of Americans exercising their Second Amendment rights.

Read more about the bill in Washington Examiner and Breitbart News.

Background

In February 2025, Congressman Hudsonjoined Congressman Moore and Congressman Barr as an original cosponsor of the Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act for the 119th Congress.

In February 2024, Congressman Hudson joined Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Barr in introducing the bill and it received widespread support.

After Visa, Mastercard, and American Express paused the rollout of the gun store code in March 2023, Congressman Hudson continued fighting to protect the privacy of lawful firearm and ammunition owners.

In September 2022, Congressman Hudson joined House Republicans in raising concerns that the new code could make it easier to track law-abiding Americans who are simply exercising their Second Amendment rights.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (Thursday, July 16, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement after his legislation to name the Department of Veteran Affairs multispecialty clinic in Marietta, Georgia, after Colonel Michael H. Boyce (H.R. 5362) passed in the House:

“My good friend and well-respected community leader, Colonel Mike H. Boyce, spent much of his life in service to his community, state, and nation. Through his service as an officer in the U.S. Marine Corps and later in elected office as the Chairman of the Cobb County Board of Commissioners, Mike was a tireless advocate for the health and welfare of our active duty servicemembers and our veterans.

“Mike worked to ensure our servicemembers had the tools to succeed and was instrumental in establishing the Cobb County VA Clinic, which remains a vital resource for those who served our country honorably.

“Recognizing Colonel Boyce through this legislation is a fitting tribute to an American hero whose service and advocacy inspired so many, and I greatly appreciate his wife, Judy, for working to continue his incredible legacy.”

Additional Quotes

“Colonel Michael H. Boyce was a distinguished veteran, valued community member, and church leader,” said Rep. Austin Scott (GA-8). “I am proud to be a part of this legislation that serves to honor his life and legacy of service to his country and neighbors.”

“Colonel Michael Boyce dedicated his life to serving our nation and improving the lives of Georgia’s veterans,” said Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (GA-1). “His leadership in establishing the Cobb VA Clinic helped ensure that those who answered our nation’s call have greater access to the care they have earned. I’m proud to join Congressman Loudermilk and my Georgia colleagues in supporting this legislation to honor Colonel Boyce’s enduring legacy of service. Future generations will remember his unwavering commitment to freedom and those who protect it.”

“Colonel Mike Boyce courageously served our nation, passionately led his community, and tirelessly advocated for his fellow veterans,” said Rep. Andrew Clyde (GA-9). “I’m proud to support Rep. Loudermilk’s effort to name the Marietta VA Multispecialty Clinic after Colonel Boyce to honor his remarkable life and service.”

“Mike Boyce lived a life of extraordinary service, service to his country, the people of Cobb County, and the veterans of Georgia. He led the charge in establishing the first Cobb VA clinic and the county’s first Veterans Service Office,” said Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-6). “I cannot think of a more fitting tribute than to name the clinic in his honor as a thank you for the veterans he helped in his lifetime, and for all the servicemembers he will continue to help through his legacy.”

“Mike Boyce was a tireless advocate for Cobb’s military community and a steadfast partner to the Cobb Chamber,” said Cobb Chamber President & CEO Sharon Mason. “His legacy of service, both to our nation and to Cobb County, has left a remarkable impact. Renaming the VA clinic in his honor is a fitting tribute to his commitment to veterans and military families, and we are proud to support this recognition.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Announces $3,012,885 HHS Grant to Twin Counties Region Head Start Programs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Announces $5.5 Million FAA Grant Supporting Eppley Airfield Expansion

Funding Brings Federal Support Bacon Has Helped Secure for Eppley to More Than $120 Million

Washington, D.C. – Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) announced today that Eppley Airfield received a $5,520,462 Fiscal Year 2026 Airport Improvement Program grant from the Federal Aviation Administration to support infrastructure improvements tied to the airport’s ongoing expansion. The funding will support reconstruction of the existing Locust Street Pump Station, including electrifying the pump motors and upgrading the control system to bring the airport into conformity with current standards.

Throughout his ten years in Congress, Rep. Bacon has made improvements to Eppley Airfield one of his top priorities, helping secure more than $120 million through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Congressionally Directed Spending, Airport Improvement Program grants and other funding sources. These investments are supporting Eppley’s ongoing modernization, improving airport infrastructure, expanding capacity and strengthening Omaha’s connection to the rest of the country and the world.

“It has been thrilling to see construction on the airport expansion take place and realize how much this will add to Omaha’s entrance,” said Rep. Bacon. “This latest grant builds on more than $120 million we have helped secure for Eppley Airfield and will support important infrastructure upgrades as the airport continues its transformation. This expansion will enable Eppley to meet the travel needs of the growing metropolitan Omaha area and welcome international flights. It will shape our region’s future for many decades to come and be vital for Omaha’s economy. I’m pleased to work with the leaders at Eppley and Sen. Fischer in creating what will become the best airport in the Midwest.”

“This is fantastic news for Eppley Airport and the millions of travelers who rely on it. These continued federal investments are helping improve the capacity, safety, and efficiency of the airport. I am proud of the work Rep. Bacon and I have done to direct federal resources to Eppley over the years, and we will continue to do so in the future,” said Sen. Fischer.

“The Omaha Airport Authority was pleased to be notified by Congressman Bacon’s office that Eppley Airfield will be receiving a Federal Aviation Administration grant from the Airport Improvement Program for upgrades to utility infrastructure at Eppley Airfield,” said Dave Roth, Chief Executive Officer of the Omaha Airport Authority. “The funds will support resilience of critical systems including upgrades to the primary storm water pumping station for the airfield and terminal areas.”

The Locust Street Pump Station project will replace and enhance existing diesel-fueled pump equipment with electric drive motors, rehabilitate stormwater pumps, upgrade controls and support related electrical improvements. The grant funds a portion of the project and is associated with a Congressionally Directed Spending grant that funds the remaining eligible portion.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Slams Trump Administration Plan to Weaponize Federal Grant Dollars to Undermine Civil Rights

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON –Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) sent a letter to U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought urgingOMB to withdraw the Trump Administration’s proposed rule, entitled Regulation for Federal Financial Assistance, that would politicize how federal grant dollars are managed and administered.

Ranking Member Scott warned that the sweeping changes in the Proposed Rule would upend the continuity of federal programs, harming individuals’ and communities’ access to essential services, as well as federally supported research that informs virtually every sector of our lives and policymaking at all levels of government.

In his letter, Ranking Member Scott argues that the new rule is simply another attempt by President Trump to overreach his executive power by granting political appointees authority to review how grant dollars are spent.

“The Proposed Rule attempts to codify multiple executive orders (EO) issued by President Trump—orders that espouse radical interpretations of civil rights and constitutional law that are currently the subject of numerous legal challenges. The Proposed Rule embeds divisive and questionable legal doctrine promoted by the Trump Administration in every federal grant; exceeds the authority of the Executive Branch; and ignores decades of best practices in research and science supposedly in the name of transparency, accountability, and oversight. The Proposed Rule would give more discretionary power to a Chief Executive who has proven willing to use the power he does have to punish political enemies and those who disagree with him … This Proposed Rule should be abandoned in its entirety. Moreover, any future changes made to the Uniform Guidance should de-emphasize the role of political appointees; embrace the concepts of scientific peer review, integrity, and independence; and not place the political pursuits of the President above the Constitution and laws of our country,” wrote Ranking Member Scott.

To read the full letter, click here.

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