Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman James Comer (1st District of Kentucky)
Photo Release: Comer Receives 21st Annual Leadership Service Award from Waterways Council, Inc. | Press Releases | Congressman James Comer
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman James Comer (1st District of Kentucky)
Photo Release: Congressman Comer Meets With Allen County Judge Executive Dennis Harper and Shane Britt | Press Releases | Congressman James Comer
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), and Subcommittee Members Rep. Mark Pocan (WI-02), Rep. Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Rep. Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), and Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) sent a letter to Subcommittee Chair David Joyce (OH-14) demanding he hold an oversight hearing on the U.S. DOGE Service (USDS) and call on Elon Musk to testify. In addition to Musk, they urged Chair Joyce to have DOGE’s Acting Administrator Amy Gleason and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought testify before the Subcommittee regarding DOGE’s activities and use of Congressionally authorized funds. The Members reiterated FSGG’s responsibility to conduct oversight as the subcommittee that oversees funding for the Executive Office of the President, which includes both DOGE and OMB.
“Over the past several weeks, the scale and nature of Mr. Musk’s and the USDS’ involvement in federal policy and operations have elicited serious alarms from constituents in our districts and across the country,” the Members wrote. “We expect this hearing to provide transparency and substantive documentation regarding the activity, use of appropriations, and personnel arrangements of USDS, the formal role played by Mr. Musk and others in USDS, whether Mr. Musk should require nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate and the authority, if any, of the entity to act as an agency.”
Since Donald Trump took office, Elon Musk and DOGE have continued to illegally purge tens of thousands of nonpartisan federal employees. Their removal has disrupted many of the vital services federal agencies provide to the American people every day. Already, federal judges have determined that many of DOGE’s actions broke the law and have reinstated many of the cut workers and programs. Yet DOGE continues to operate without transparency, without statutory authority, and without appropriated funding.
The full text of the letter is below:
Dear Chairman Joyce,
We write to request that the Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hold an oversight hearing as soon as possible regarding the United States DOGE Service (USDS), established within the Executive Office of the President, and that Elon Musk, whom the President has described as the head of DOGE, Acting USDS Administrator Amy Gleason, and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought testify before the Subcommittee regarding USDS’s activities and use of Congressionally authorized funds. Over the past several weeks, the scale and nature of Mr. Musk’s and the USDS’ involvement in federal policy and operations have elicited serious alarms from constituents in our districts and across the country. We expect this hearing to provide transparency and substantive documentation regarding the activity, use of
appropriations, and personnel arrangements of USDS, the formal role played by Mr. Musk and others in USDS, whether Mr. Musk should require nomination by the President and confirmation by the Senate, and the authority, if any, of the entity to act as an agency.
As you are aware, President Trump recently established the United States DOGE Service by Executive Order 14158, renaming the United States Digital Service as the United States DOGE Service, reorganizing it within the Executive Office of the President, and creating a temporary organization within USDS known as “the U.S. DOGE Service Temporary Organization.” The order directed USDS to “moderniz[e] Federal technology and software to maximize governmental efficiency and productivity,” while establishing that the temporary organization “shall be dedicated to advancing the President’s 18-month DOGE agenda.” Despite being reorganized by Executive Order, this entity has never been statutorily authorized, not while it was the Digital Service, nor presently as USDS and the temporary organization. Given all of that, it is particularly important
that the mechanisms by which USDS’s operations are funded receive oversight from this Committee.
Numerous components of the Executive Office of the President are appropriated through our bill. This includes those that (1) have “substantial independent authority” and (2) those whose “sole function is to advise and assist the President,” and as a result, are subject to the Presidential Records Act instead of the Federal Records Act. Entities under the former generally are established by law, have statutory duties, and qualify as “agencies” for the purposes of various laws.
Although USDS is not established by law, multiple federal courts have indicated that USDS would appear to fall into the former category of entities that qualify as an “agency” under statutes such as the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), because USDS “appears to do much more than advise and assist the President.” We note, however, that some members of the Administration have argued that USDS should be characterized as part of the latter – EOP components that solely advise and assist the President. An oversight hearing would allow the Administration to confirm that and explain how its many policymaking activities could possibly be viewed as those of merely an advisory body.
Additionally, apportionment records appear to indicate that transfer authority within the Economy Act (31 U.S.C. § 1535) is the source and primary method by which USDS funds its operations. If USDS is indeed an advisory body, such use constitutes a misapplication of the authorities contained within the Economy Act. We note that the “Economy Act does not give a performing agency any authority that it would not otherwise have.” If, as described above, the Administration considers USDS to be a solely advisory body, such an approach contradicts the Economy Act’s authorization for the provision of “goods or services” to outside agencies as part of the latter’s statutory operations. The Administration deserves the opportunity to testify before this Committee to explain USDS’ ability to enter into and use such agreements to fund its operations.
Under the Constitution and the Anti-Deficiency Act, the Executive Branch may not spend funds absent an appropriation from Congress. Thus, like any other executive agency, USDS must possess a valid appropriation to fund its operations. When we appropriate funds, an agency may not spend the money until OMB has apportioned funds for the agency. As a new component that did not exist at the time the current government funding acts were passed, we did not directly provide any appropriation for USDS. Nevertheless, USDS has received a series of apportionments from the OMB, including a transfer of funds from the “Information Technology Oversight and Reform” (ITOR) account, for “anticipated reimbursements from agencies in support of Software Modernization Initiative,” and amounts for which the Economy Act is cited as a funding source. These apportionments indicate that some of the money is available until expended, known as “no-year” money.
This Committee’s concerns regarding the use of the ITOR account include the need for greater transparency and fiscal responsibility. It is imperative that Mr. Musk, Ms. Gleason, and Director Vought be forthcoming regarding USDS’ financial management practices. Oversight from our Committee will allow for a robust discussion about the appropriate funding mechanism for USDS to ensure compliance with necessary guardrails regarding authority, approvals, and use of the Economy Act. There is no doubt that technology experts are needed amongst the federal agencies and the importance of prioritizing investments in technology to improve government efficiency, however it should not be at the expense of the law.
The Constitution clearly states that “No money shall be drawn from the Treasury, but in consequence of appropriations made by law.” Congress is empowered with the power of the purse. This Committee holds jurisdiction for the appropriations for the Executive Office of the President, which includes both USDS and the Office of Management and Budget. For these reasons, we urgently request that the Subcommittee convene an oversight hearing with Mr. Musk, whom the President has described as the head of DOGE, Acting USDS Administrator Amy Gleason, and OMB Director Vought to provide transparency and substantive answers for our constituents and to consider whether more systemic reforms are needed to address USDS’s functions.
Thank you, and we look forward to your response.
Sincerely,
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement on the 15th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act:
“On this day in 2010, I stood with President Barack Obama as he signed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) into law. I will always remember that day, and so will history, because it marked a turning point for our nation and our people.
“This groundbreaking law put affordable, quality health care coverage within reach of more Americans than ever before, protecting millions with preexisting conditions from discrimination and allowing children to stay on their parents’ health care until age 26. Furthermore, it set a new baseline, requiring coverage of essential health benefits, and prohibited annual and lifetime limits.
“Fifteen years later, the 133 million people with preexisting conditions in America remain protected. During the 2025 open enrollment period, 25 million Americans purchased health plans through the ACA marketplace – an all-time high. That included 3.9 million people who enrolled through the marketplace for the first time. Another 21 million Americans currently receive health coverage through the ACA’s Medicaid expansion.
“This progress is a product not only of the ACA, but also Democrats’ efforts to protect, strengthen, and expand upon the law over the years. Just as I was proud to put the ACA on the Floor as Majority Leader in the 111th Congress, I proudly brought the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) to the Floor as Majority Leader in the 117th Congress. That law has saved the tens of millions of Americans enrolled through the ACA marketplace an average of $2,400 a year on their health care premiums, capped the monthly cost of insulin for seniors at $35, lowered Medicare drug prices, and much more.
“Donald Trump and his Republican allies in Congress are hellbent on reversing all of this progress and undermining the law. The massive cuts they propose for Medicaid threaten to rip coverage away from tens of millions of people. Their refusal to extend the IRA’s health care tax credits will make millions of working-class Americans pay thousands more on their premiums. Their agenda will cost Americans not only their livelihoods but their lives. That is why I will not stop working to protect Americans’ access to quality, affordable health care.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today after reports the Trump Administration is considering that the United States give up the role of Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO):
“First, I agree with the powerful statement from Senator Roger Wicker, Chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Rep. Mike Rogers, Chair of the House Armed Services Committee.
“When Dwight D. Eisenhower was the first commander of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), he said: ‘No lesser purpose, no warped nationalism, and above all, no aggressive or predatory design, should be allowed to turn us away from this noble enterprise.’ That is what will happen, however, if Donald Trump follows through on his suggestion that America relinquish its role as Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR).
“An American four-star military officer has always commanded NATO. Forfeiting that position would undercut not only America’s influence within the alliance but also our national security and military power throughout the world. By considering such a drastic move as even an option, Trump puts America and our allies at a disadvantage in the global struggle between democracy and despotism.
“For years, Trump has vilified NATO and our other allies, while trying to curry favor with dictators. We must not let him. Republicans and Democrats alike need to condemn these actions in the strongest possible terms. When Trump questioned whether America would honor its Article V commitments under the NATO charter – as our allies did after the September 11th attacks – I introduced a bipartisan resolution with Speaker Paul Ryan, Leader Kevin McCarthy, and other Members from both parties reaffirming America’s commitment to Article V. We need to see a similar effort now to show the world that America will never turn away from NATO’s noble mission to protect democracy and preserve peace.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (FSGG), sent letters to top officials overseeing federal agencies under the subcommittee’s jurisdiction demanding that they disclose how many federal employees have been terminated by the Trump Administration or participated in its legally dubious Deferred Resignation Program. The recipients included Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, Chair Brendan Carr of the Federal Communications Commission, Commissioner Donald Palmer of the Election Assistance Commission, Acting Director Charles Ezell of the Office of Personnel Management, and Acting Administrator Stephen Ehikian of the General Services Administration.
“I write with great concern regarding the recent direction to commence large-scale reductions in force and reorganization of agencies within the Financial Services and General Government subcommittee’s jurisdiction,” Congressman Hoyer wrote. “Throughout our nation and around the world, our nonpartisan federal employees ensure that the services and benefits established under laws made by the U.S. Congress are delivered to the American people … I remain concerned that unlawful mass terminations; illegal consolidation of agencies, offices, and bureaus; and closures of field offices, taxpayer assistance centers, and other federal buildings jeopardizes the effective and efficient delivery of critical benefits and services for the American people – regardless of their geography or political affiliation.”
The letters come as the Trump Administration continues its unprecedented mass purge of nonpartisan federal employees. Their removal has disrupted many of the vital services they provide to the American people every day. In numerous cases, federal judges have deemed the Trump Administration’s actions against the civil service to be illegal. Judges have already ordered the Trump Administration to halt its reductions in force and to reinstate nearly 25,000 wrongfully terminated probationary employees.
The letters can be viewed here.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) released the following statement today on the passing of former U.S. Representative Nita Lowey:
“Today, we lost a great New Yorker, a great American, and a great leader: my friend former Congresswoman Nita Lowey. While we mourn her today, we also give thanks for all her work to better her community, country, and world throughout her life – including during her 32 years in the Congress.
“Nita was a talented legislator and appropriator, making history as the first woman to Chair the House Appropriations Committee. She understood that how we spend our federal funding reflects our values and priorities as a nation. From securing greater investments in women’s health to helping Americans recover after 9/11, Hurricane Sandy, the Covid-19 pandemic, and other emergencies, she always fought to help the American people get ahead.
“Crucially, Nita believed in America’s indispensable role on the world stage. She understood that American security at home depends on American diplomacy and generosity abroad. Nita worked to strengthen critical alliances around the world, especially our vital US-Israel relationship. Over the years, the Nita M. Lowey Middle East Partnership for Peace Act (MEPPA) has played a crucial role in encouraging grassroots engagement between Israelis and Palestinians.
“Nita devoted her life to the principle of ‘Tikkun Olam.’ She accomplished so much in her 87 years to repair our world, and for that, we give thanks. My prayers are with her and her family. May Nita’s memory be a blessing.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)
WASHINGTON, DC – The Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act, was signed into law on Friday as part of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367). S. 4367 was approved by both House and Senate in December 2024.
The E-BRIDGE Act removes hurdles for broadband projects under Economic Development Administration (EDA) grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements.
By helping to increase the reach of broadband to rural and economically distressed communities, the E-BRIDGE Act will help attract new business and support current businesses in distressed regions of the country, lay the groundwork for economic recovery in these areas, and better prepare these communities for future disasters.
The E-BRIDGE Act was introduced in the House on March 23, 2023, during the 118th Congress by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO), along with Reps. Jenniffer González-Colón (R-PR), Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Michael Guest (R-MS). Chairman Graves also introduced the E-BRIDGE Act in the 116th and the 117th Congresses, and the legislation continued to gain broad bipartisan support leading up to its being signed into law last week.
“The E-BRIDGE Act has been an ongoing priority of mine for the last six years, and I’m extremely pleased to finally see it being signed into law,” said Chairman Sam Graves. “Unfortunately, too many of our communities, particularly in rural America, still lack broadband access. In some cases, just completing that ‘last mile’ is what stands in the way of connecting people to a job they need. The E-BRIDGE Act will help spur projects that attract jobs and businesses to expand economic development and opportunity in rural and poor communities.”
Read more about the E-BRIDGE Act here. The text of the E-BRIDGE Act can be found in section 2223 of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367) here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)
WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Sam Graves (R-MO), Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO), and Mark Alford (R-MO) re-introduced the Pony Up Act this week, which would protect consumers by putting the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) on the hook for late delivery of bills. The legislation was originally introduced in the 118th Congress. Cosponsoring the legislation were Reps. Mike Bost (R-IL), Mike Collins (R-GA), Tracey Mann (R-KS), and Pete Stauber (R-MN).
Countless complaints have been registered by constituents whose mail hasn’t arrived on time, or at all in some cases. Many of those complaints have involved late fees needing to be paid regularly due to bills being delivered late. Multiple municipal utilities have also complained that their bills aren’t arriving to their customers in a timely manner. The legislation would require USPS to pay any late fees incurred on bills due to delayed delivery service.
“Constituents across my district are routinely frustrated by late mail delivery and they should be—the Postal Service isn’t getting the job done,” said Congressman Graves. “Folks expect their mail to show up on time, six days a week. Instead, they are constantly faced with late deliveries and it’s costing people money. If the Postal Service isn’t going to get the mail out of the processing center and to the mailbox on time, then they should pony up and pay the late fee.”
“With extreme weather like we saw earlier this month, not to mention the complete failure of the Postmaster General’s Delivering for America Plan, families and small businesses across my congressional district continue to voice their frustration with delivery service from the USPS. Not only is it preventing them from getting timely information, but it is costing them their hard-earned dollars as they face late fees due to delayed delivery on monthly bills,” said Congressman Cleaver. “We need bipartisan action to ensure these costs are not levied on hardworking Americans who have no ability to prevent these delays, and I’m proud to introduce the Pony Up Act with Reps. Graves and Alford to provide relief.”
“The Postal Service is vital, especially for the many rural communities in Missouri’s Fourth District. The USPS has failed to fulfill their Congressionally mandated six-day delivery window. These delays carry tangible consequences; many Americans have shared accounts with delayed checks resulting in late fees on bill payments. It is only fair that the Postal Service should reimburse taxpayers for late fees accrued due to USPS delays,” said Congressman Alford.
The bill would enable anyone who incurred a late fee due to the late delivery of a bill to file a claim for a late fee repayment. Filing for the repayment would occur online through a portal or in person at any post office.
The legislation would also require a report on delayed mail, giving Congress relevant and accurate information to identify how effective the Postal Service is and what average delays look like.
You can view the bill here.
Over the last several years, Congressman Graves and Cleaver have voiced numerous concerns with the USPS about performance issues. In October 2022, Reps. Graves and Cleaver sent a letter to Postmaster General Dejoy expressing concerns about the agency’s failure to fulfill their congressionally mandated duty to provide six-day mail delivery. In December 2022, the Postal Service responded with complaints about low unemployment rates in the Kansas City region and encouraged residents to apply to work on the USPS, without offering a plan for the agency to meet their mandate.
In March 2023, Reps. Graves and Cleaver called on Postmaster General DeJoy to deliver a plan to address mail delivery delays, fulfill the USPS’s legal obligation to deliver mail 6 days per week, and listen to the concerns of Kansas City residents that had been frustrated with the performance of their local USPS branches. Following that letter, the USPS OIG announced they would conduct an audit of delayed mail and delivery operations in the Northland and the Kansas City area. The audit was completed in August of last year.
In January 2024, Graves and Cleaver led a cohort of fellow lawmakers calling on USPS to halt price increases on stamps, following the agency’s record-breaking fourth rate increase in the last eighteen months. The legislators demanded USPS address the failings of the Delivering for America Plan and turn around performance issues of the USPS in order to legitimize a price hike for consumers.
In August 2024, Graves also called for USPS to audit the St. Louis Processing and Delivery Center, answer for their absentee ballot delivery issues and present a report on potential effects of their misguided proposal to reduce rural mail pickup times.
In September 2024, Graves, Cleaver, Alford and other legislators called on the USPS to implement the audit recommendations from the OIG’S report on the Kansas City P & DC.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sam Graves (6th District of Missouri)
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Sam Graves (MO-06) released the following statement after voting for the FY25 Budget Resolution:
“We just passed the first step in implementing President Trump’s agenda to cut wasteful spending, secure our border, defend our country, and give working Americans much-needed tax relief,” said Graves. “President Biden’s wasteful spending, out-of-control regulations, and radical open border policies have dramatically raised the cost of living for American families and made our communities less safe. To get our country back on track and fight inflation, we have to start at the source, stop all the waste, fraud, and abuse of our tax dollars, finish the wall, enforce our immigration laws, and secure our border. This budget resolution is the first step in fulfilling those promises.”
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