MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11) joined Congresswomen Nikema Williams (GA-05), Alma Adams (NC-12), and Deborah Ross (NC-02) in introducing a suite of legislation designed to help federal student loan borrowers recover from default and rebuild their financial futures.

The Clean Slate through Consolidation Act, Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act, and Clean Slate through Repayment Act would remove default records from the credit histories of borrowers who have taken meaningful steps to resolve their federal student loan debt.

Across Michigan and the nation, millions of borrowers face long-term financial barriers due to student loan defaults, even after taking steps to repay their debt. These barriers can limit access to housing, transportation, and small business opportunities. The Clean Slate legislative package ensures that borrowers who act responsibly are not permanently penalized. The Clean Slate through Consolidation Act, which Stevens wrote, wipes away borrowers’ bad credit history from a defaulted student loan once they have obtained a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan.

“Michiganders who make a good faith effort to pay off their student loans deserve a fair chance to reestablish their credit and participate in our economy,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “I am proud to join with my colleagues on this legislation that empowers borrowers to get back on track and start saving for their future.”

“I struggled to repay my student loans long after graduating. I understand the burden they place on a budget,” said Congresswoman Nikema Williams. “Today, default and delinquency rates are reaching record highs, while Trump kicks over 7 million people off of the SA VE Program. We cannot abandon our students to drown in their debts. The student debt crisis demands a response, especially while everything from housing to groceries is getting more expensive. The Clean Slate series offers people the second chance they need to build on their education and escape the crushing weight of student loan debt.”

“As a first-generation college student, I know how hard it is to make ends meet and pay for college,” said Congresswoman Adams, founder and co-chair of the HBCU Caucus. “That’s why the Clean Slate Series is so necessary. Burdensome student loan debt is dragging down millions of our best and brightest, preventing borrowers across generations from qualifying for the credit they need to buy a house, lease a car, or start a business. These three bills help borrowers hit the reset button and unlock a brighter future for themselves and their families. Especially in the wake of the Supreme Court’s denial of debt relief to millions of Americans, student loan debt remains a serious and often unfair burden for our families. I promised action on student loan debt, and with these three bills, Congresswomen Stevens, Ross, Williams, and I intend to deliver.”

“Our nation is facing an unprecedented student debt crisis, and many young Americans are burdened with an adverse credit history as a result,” said Congresswoman Ross. “Students should not be punished for seeking an education, but the high cost of learning has prevented many young people from pursuing their dreams. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing a series of bills that will help borrowers recover from crippling student loan debt and reach their goals – whether it’s buying a home, owning a car, starting a business, or saving for the future.”

This legislation has been endorsed by the National Education Association (NEA), American

Federation of Teachers (AFT), The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS), the

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and the Center for Responsible Lending.

Text of the Clean Slate through Consolidation Act.

Text of the Clean Slate through Rehabilitation Act.

Text of the Clean Slate through Repayment Act.

 

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

WASHINGTON, D.C.- This week, Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05) co-sponsored the SWALWELL Act, which would prohibit the use of taxpayer funds for settlements of workplace misconduct claims involving Members of Congress or their senior staff, require personal financial accountability, ensure transparency of past settlements while protecting victims, and mandate referral of criminal allegations to the Department of Justice.

The introduction of the bill by Congressman Paul Gosar (AZ-05) responds to a pattern of Members of Congress committing serious crimes or indiscretions and American taxpayers footing the bill for the settlements arising from the unethical or illegal actions. Most recently, Eric Swalwell resigned from the U.S. House of Representatives after horrifying allegations were revealed about his behavior in office, including with a member of his congressional staff, prompting the legislation.

“For far too long, many Members of Congress have used their shielded positions of power to harm and exploit vulnerable individuals, all while misusing the trust and dollars of hardworking taxpayers without any transparency,”said Congressman Biggs.“This behavior is beneath the sacred trust given by the American people, and it’s past time for these disgusting actions to end. That’s why I’m co-sponsoring the SWALWELL Act to send a message to future violators that they will be held accountable while protecting victims’ privacy and safety.”

Read the bill here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) released the following statement upon the resignations of Representatives Eric Swalwell (CA-14) and Tony Gonzales (TX-23) from Congress.

“The departures of Mr. Swalwell and Mr. Gonzales from Congress represent steps in a more constructive direction. While they have a right to due process and their individual day in court, it is both a privilege and a sacred responsibility to the public, not a right, to serve in the House of Representatives. Their alleged behavior is an attack on the integrity of the Congress and made them unfit to serve the American public in Congress. Their constituents deserve better. I am horrified, particularly as a member of the Bay Area delegation, to have learned of Mr. Swalwell’s alleged behavior last week and remain committed to ensuring justice for all victims.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Congresswomen Alma Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) and Lauren Underwood (D-IL-14), along with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), introduced the bicameral resolution recognizing April 11 through April 17 as Black Maternal Health Week. 

This resolution serves to bring national attention to the maternal health crisis in the United States and the critical need to reduce maternal mortality and morbidity rates among Black mothers.

“Our annual Black Maternal Health Week resolution says, unequivocally, that Black Moms matter,” said Congresswoman Adams, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “This week is a time for us to raise awareness around the maternal mortality and morbidity epidemic Black mothers face and urge our Congressional and state leaders to take action. We need to see a real commitment from Congress to address this crisis, and I am dedicated to working with our Black maternal health advocates across the country to make that happen. Black mamas can’t wait!”

“Our country’s Black maternal health crisis demands urgent action,” said Congresswoman Underwood, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “In 2019 I co-founded the Black Maternal Health Caucus with Congresswoman Alma Adams to respond to this crisis and advance evidence-based solutions that will save lives and end disparities. I’m thrilled to continue this work by introducing this resolution with Congresswoman Adams and Senator Booker to recognize Black Maternal Health Week 2026. I am thinking of the families and moms who have been impacted by this crisis like Mercedes Wells, Karrie Jones, and Dr. Janell Green Smith who we tragically lost, and I’m grateful to the Black Mamas Matter Alliance for their leadership in establishing this critical week of awareness and action. We must continue to elevate Black maternal health as a national priority, and we must pass the entire Momnibus.”

“It is unacceptable that Black women continue to face a maternal mortality rate two to three times higher than White women because of deep, systemic failures in our health care system,” said Senator Booker. “This resolution is not just about acknowledging the disparities Black women face. It is about recognizing that Congress must do more to protect the lives of Black mothers by addressing the structural barriers that drive them and ensuring that every mother has a safe and healthy pregnancy and the care they deserve.”

In the United States, Black women face a maternal mortality rate that increased to 50.3 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, even as rates declined for white, Hispanic, and Asian women. Yet studies show that 80% of all maternal deaths are preventable. The resolution calls on Congress to support and promote policies that address the ongoing Black maternal mortality crisis.

“2026 marks more than a decade of Black Mamas Matter Alliance (BMMA) building the skills, convening, and mobilizing the global Black perinatal, maternal, and reproductive health workforce to END maternal mortality. Over the past 10 years, BMMA has worked to establish the global Black Maternal Health Movement, centering the organizing and collaborative efforts of Black perinatal and maternal professionals. That is our midwives, our physicians, our doulas, our nurses, advocates, healing practitioners, and even artists. We have built this movement on the intellectual traditions of Black feminism, womanism, and the principles of reproductive justice and birth justice.” said BMMA, Inc. Co-Founder & Executive Director Angela D. Aina, who is also a 2026 TIME100 Health Honoree.

“As we launch our 9th annual Black Maternal Health Week, we do so rooted in both the weight of this moment and the joy of this movement,” Aina continued. “We are witnessing unprecedented attacks on Black families, on reproductive rights, and on the very institutions meant to protect our health and dignity. And yet, we remain rooted. Justice and joy are not separate — they are the foundation of everything we do. BMHW26 is a time for community rooted action in addressing maternal health inequities and ensuring that everyone, especially Black Mamas, receive the resources needed to thrive.”

The text of the resolution can be found here.

The resolution was cosponsored by 37 members of Congress.

Emilia Sykes

Mary Gay Scanlon

Shomari Figures

LaMonica McIver

Summer Lee

Jennifer McClellan

Julie Johnson

Sanford D. Bishop, Jr.

Paul Tonko

Debbie Wasserman Schultz

Alina Philip

Bennie G. Thompson

Yvette Clarke

Tim Kennedy

Ritchie Torres

Ayanna Pressley

Steve Cohen

Rashida Tlaib

Gregory W. Meeks

Joseph Morelle

Raja Krishnamoorthi

Ro Khanna

Nanette Barragan

Shontel Brown

Jonathan Jackson

Norma Torres

Eleanor Holmes Norton

Kelly Morrison

Sidney Kamlager-Dove

Josh Gottheimer

Bonnie Watson Coleman

Lateefah Simon

Sylvia R. Garcia

Robin Kelly

Andrea Salinas

Jahana Hayes

Ilhan Omar 

You can read the full letter of support for the resolution by the Black Mamas Matter Alliance here.

The resolution has been endorsed by the following organizations:

BMMA, Inc. (Black Mamas Matter Alliance) 

4Kira4Moms, Inc 

A Better Balance 

Abortion Care Network 

Alabama Prison Birth Project 

Alexis Alsup

All* Above All 

American Association of Birth Centers 

American College of Nurse-Midwives 

Amplify Georgia Collaborative 

Ancient Song, Inc.

 Baobab Birth Collective 

Black Feminist Future 

Black Maternal Health Federal Policy Collective 

Black Women for Wellness 

Black Women’s Health Imperative 

Bloom Collective 

California Black Women’s Health Project 

Center for Maternal Health Equity 

Center for Reproductive Rights 

Cherishing Life Beginnings Divine Mother Foundation LLC 

Colorado Consumer Health Initiative 

Commonsense Childbirth Inc. 

Desert Star Institute for Family Planning, Inc. 

Destiny S, WomBeyond Doula Services 

Diversity Uplifts Inc. 

Dr. Sayida Uplifts, LLC. 

Dr. Zsakeba Henderson 

DwanElani DBA Mermama Birthwork Services 

Every Mother Counts 

Feminist Center for Reproductive Liberation 

Frontera Fund 

Frontline Doulas 

Fund Texas Choice 

Georgia Black Doula Network 

Georgia Legislative Black Caucus 

HEART 

In Our Own Voice: National Black Women’s Reproductive Justice Agenda 

InnerLight Holistic Doula & Perinatal Consulting, LLC

Institute for Women’s Policy Research

Jamarah Amani, Southern Birth Justice Network 

Janita Wiley, LMSW 

Medical Students for Choice 

Middle Georgia 4 Choice 

Miraae Insights, LLC 

MomsRising 

Most Beautiful W.O.M.B. Inc 

National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum 

National Association of Certified Professional Midwives 

National Health Law Program 

National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice 

National Partnership for Women and Families 

New Voices for Reproductive Justice 

Nicole Clark Consulting, LLC 

Not On My Watch Consulting Partners 

Okunsola M. Amadou, Qiana Lewis 

National Association of Certified Professional Midwives 

Oshun Family Center 

Our Justice 

PEACE FOR MOMS 

Pennsylvania House of Representatives 

Planned Parenthood Federation of America 

Remnant Community Outreach, Inc. 

Reproductive Freedom for All 

Research!America 

Sankofa Birthworkers’ Collective of the Inland Empire 

Shades of Blue Project 

Sisters in Loss 

SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective 

SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Justice Collective Board of Directors 

SiX Action 

SPARK Reproductive Justice NOW!, Inc. 

Speaking of Birth 

Spiritual Alliance of Communities for Reproductive Dignity 

Summit Medical Associates P.C. 

Teonia Burton, LM CPM

The Melanated Mammary Atlas 

The Social Justice Center 

We Testify 

Women Engaged 

Women’s Health Specialists 

MomsRising

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference where he highlighted that while Donald Trump and Republicans continue to waste taxpayer dollars on a war of choice in the Middle East as costs rise here at home, Democrats remain committed to reining in this lawless administration.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Yesterday was Tax Day, and House Republicans decided to celebrate the fact that, in connection with their One Big Ugly Bill, they enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, ripping healthcare away from 14 million Americans. As a result of their toxic policies, hospitals, nursing homes and community-based clinics are closing all across the country, particularly in rural America, as a direct result of what Republicans have done in their One Big Ugly Bill. In that same piece of legislation, Republicans ripped food assistance away from hungry children, seniors and veterans with the largest cut to SNAP—$186 billion—in American history. And why did they do all of this, which they celebrated yesterday? To provide their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks, to continue to subsidize the lifestyle of the rich and shameless.

We are now in the midst of an ongoing war of choice in the Middle East that is reckless and costly, where billions of dollars are being spent every day while Republicans are unwilling to spend a dime to make life more affordable for the American people. All of this, of course, is unfolding in the midst of an affordability crisis that Donald Trump continues to maintain is a hoax. And as a direct result of the costly and reckless Republican war of choice, gas prices have skyrocketed, putting more cost pressure on working-class Americans, everyday Americans and middle-class Americans. Enough. Donald Trump and Republicans have failed the American people. House Democrats, in partnership with Senate Democrats, are going to continue to focus on driving down the high cost of living because we know that life has become far too expensive in the United States of America as a direct result of policies that Donald Trump and compliant Republicans continue to jam down the throats of the American people.
 
Full event can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Questions Secretary of Agriculture in Oversight Hearing

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar questioned Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins during an Appropriations Committee, Subcommittee on Agriculture budget hearing. During the hearing, Moolenaar praised the Trump administration’s efforts to support Michigan farmers and requested information from Rollins on how her department is confronting threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party. 

“I appreciate the Department of Agriculture’s efforts to ensure USDA programs deliver for Michigan farmers and they can compete on a global stage. USDA is on the front lines protecting our food security and ensuring American farmland is not purchased by our adversaries like the CCP. I remain committed to working with the administration on strengthening farm programs, stopping the CCP from buying American farmland, and ensuring rural communities have the tools they need to succeed,” said Moolenaar. 

Moolenaar is the only member of the House Appropriations Committee from the State of Michigan and the Chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party. 

Full video of Moolenaar’s questioning can be found here. A transcript of Moolenaar’s questioning is included below. 

Congressman John Moolenaar: Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and Madame Secretary, Thanks for being here today, and also for visiting Michigan last week. And we appreciate all you and President Trump are doing to support our farmers in Michigan. A few questions, this may have come up in some of your meetings, but our domestic sugar producers in Michigan, we have sugarbeet growers and family farmers are being undercut by foreign competitors, and I wonder if you could talk about the actions you’re taking to ensure that out sugar  producers are being treated fairly. 

Secretary Brooke Rollins: I think that sugar is the top of the list. Certainly, I had the seafood guys in yesterday, we opened the Office of Seafood the first time USDA has ever had that to offer so many programs there to our seafood producers, our farmers of the sea. Whether it is seafood, where it’s sugar, a lot of our citrus growers, the crushing that has happened by foreign imports is real, and it has devastated so many of our industries. It is unbelievable. Sugar obviously remains a priority, I know it was included in the last farmer bridge assistance payment. We will continue to make it a priority and welcome the conversations anytime on that. I think that this President and our US Trade Rep. Jamieson Greer, whom I speak with almost daily at this point, is very focused on ensuring we are America First and we are protecting our American food growers. Obviously USMCA is coming up for renegotiation we’ve got a lot going on around the world, but anything you hear Congressman, that you think will be helpful for me anyway, anyway I can lean in. I’ve visited some sugar growers in Florida. I didn’t get a chance to go in Michigan, to the beets, been up in Minnesota with the beets. But would love to get more involved in that but we are making progress. Bui it does need to remain a priority, national security, etc. 

Congressman Moolenaar: Thank you, I appreciate also you mentioned your Farm Security Action Plan, one of your priorities is to stop China from buying up our farmland. Could you outline what you’re doing to prevent our farmland from being controlled by China? 

Secretary Rollins: This is, if not everyone in this room including all of you, who I am speak to today, I don’t know that there is a more perilous threat in front of us that the international purchasing- foreign adversaries, and otherwise, but certainly foreign adversaries of our farmland and our agricultural companies. In 1983, China about 2000 acres in America. Today, they own 300,000 acres of what was good American farmland. A lot of it around military bases, et cetera. We’ve been working with all of you, I think we got it really close, we didn’t make it to the finish line, to the President’s desk for a Congressional directive on that. But in the meantime, working alongside all of the states. I am very big believer in the ability of the states to act as guardians of the gate on key issues like that and some of our – a lot of our states – about 20, have really leaned in and have passed legislation. Arkansas, I think has been probably the most forward leaning, Sarah Sanders there not only passed barring the future sale of farmland, but also has begun clawing some of it back, and I think is a really important piece of this puzzle as we move forward. So, I look forward to continuing work with all of you to champion this here in Washington. But as we wait for Washington to move forward on that, the Sates can actually make good advancements and I am working with a lot of those governors on that.

Congressman Moolenaar: Thank you, and also just the area of research security in our agriculture research service, I want to put that on your radar screen, because we know China is also engaging in the coordinated effort to steal US technology and intellectual priority. 

Secretary Rollins: that is exactly right, and I was with Michigan State in your great land grant on Monday, we actually talked about this specifically, there have been cases in America. Our USDA has – our OIG working with Secret Service and others have arrested some of our students from other countries who have been caught red-handed, basically trying to steal our secrets, but also trying to disrupt our system. So, this will continue to be a major issue. 

Congressman Moolenaar: Thank you very much, I yield back.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations Committee, lead a hearing to discuss the Department of Energy’s funding for the 2027 fiscal year. 

“As Chairman of the Energy and Water Appropriations, it has been an honor to work with Secretary Wright to deliver the agenda the American people demanded of us. I am working with my colleagues to support the aggressive pace of the Administration to do just that, whether it’s unleashing our energy abundance or revolutionizing scientific discovery with artificial intelligence through the Genesis Mission,” Rep. Fleischmann. “I am encouraged by the Department’s continued focus on critical research areas, including high performance computing, artificial intelligence, quantum information science, nuclear energy, and critical minerals. I am particularly pleased to see that the Secretary appropriately places nuclear at the forefront of achieving American energy dominance. Finally, I fully support the continued strong investments in NNSA to sustain and modernize our nuclear arsenal. Our nuclear deterrent remains indispensable to U.S. national defense” 

In November, President Trump issued an executive order launching the Genesis Mission, an ambitious effort to advance discovery science, enhance our national security, and accelerate new energy technologies through the use of an artificial intelligence platform that brings together the National Labs and industry collaborators and leverages the Department’s high-performance computing, quantum systems, and artificial intelligence expertise.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), released the statement below following his appearance prior to the Department of Energy’s third annual National Lab Research SLAM competition.

Three years ago, the Department of Energy hosted a collaborative research competition displaying the vast knowledge and expertise from all 17 National Laboratories in the United States Capitol. Our National Lab System is at the cutting edge of addressing science’s most pressing challenges including artificial intelligence, energy technology, advanced materials, national security, and beyond. The National Lab Research SLAM competition empowers early career researchers from our National Laboratories to communicate groundbreaking science to broad audiences. One researcher represents their respective National Lab and presents their research to a panel of esteemed judges in the nation’s capital.

“As Chairman of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, I have the opportunity to witness the best and brightest working on the hardest scientific and technological challenges, but the National Labs Research SLAM stands out as a favorite of mine. The most promising young researchers from across the United States represent their respective National Labs right here in Washington, D.C. presenting their incredible research and earning the recognition of their peers in the research community. We cannot take for granted that the United States will lead in science and technology as we have for decades. The outstanding young men and women in this competition represent our best hope for an even better future,” said Rep. Fleischmann. “I support all 17 National Labs and I am incredibly proud to support these incredible scientific minds, but Oak Ridge National Lab (ORNL) of course has a special place in my heart. As Oak Ridge’s representative in Congress, I will be cheering slightly louder for Bryan Conry of ORNL. I wish all the competitors the best because the true winners are the American people and ultimately the world that will benefit from their breakthroughs and innovations!”