MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) introduced legislation to support the education and skills training of incarcerated Americans, aiming to improve opportunities upon their release. The Rehabilitation through Reading Act enables individuals in custody to challenge book bans and provides greater transparency around Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) book bans by requiring the BOP to establish an independent commission to review decisions by BOP officials to ban books at facilities and give incarcerated individuals an opportunity to appeal those decisions, and set guidelines for what books can and cannot be banned.

Additionally, Senator Schiff introduced the Prison Libraries Act in the Senate, bipartisan legislation introduced by Congressman Cleaver, along with Reps Shontel Brown (D-OH) and Valerie Foushee (D-NC), earlier this year.

“Access to wide-ranging and quality books offer incarcerated Americans the opportunity to learn and sharpen valuable skills that will assist in their reintegration into society, helping them turn the page to a new chapter and better life,” said Congressman Cleaver. “I’m thankful for Senator Schiff’s partnership in introducing the Prison Libraries Act and the Rehabilitation through Reading Act as we seek to expand library resources in correctional facilities nationwide, thereby increasing educational opportunities, reducing recidivism, and creating stronger communities for all.”

“Access to books, skills training and educational opportunities improves an individual’s chance of successfully reintegrating when returning to the community after a prison sentence,” said Senator Schiff. “These bills will help prepare those impacted to re-acclimate to life in the outside world and reduce recidivism. I’m proud to support those efforts.” 

The Rehabilitation through Reading Act is endorsed by American Library Association, PEN America, ACLU, and Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, Californians for Safety and Justice, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California.

The Rehabilitation through Reading Act is cosponsored by U.S. Senators Cory Booker (D-NJ), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Alex Padilla (D-CA).  

Official text of the Rehabilitation through Reading Act is available here.

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi released the following statement in response to reports of potential Trump Administration plans for U.S. military operations against Cuba:

“President Trump has already dragged our country into an illegal, unauthorized war with Iran, and the last thing the American people need is a reckless escalation in Cuba that could plunge America into another open-ended conflict. Congress must not allow Donald Trump to unilaterally start another war. Instead, we must end the conflict with Iran before it costs more American lives and triggers an even more serious economic crisis.”

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

Washington, DC –  Congressman Jerry Nadler (D-NY-12) joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Representatives Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash-07.), Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.-17), Becca Balint (D-Vt.), Angie Craig (D-Minn.-02), and Jamie Raskin (D-Md.-08) in requesting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) Acting Inspector General (IG) William M. Blier open a new, independent investigation into potential corruption involving the DOJ’s antitrust-related activity. 

The request follows multiple questionable antitrust enforcement decisions by the Trump administration after meetings between DOJ leadership and corporate lobbyists, as well as the ouster of former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Antitrust Division head Gail Slater. This pattern raises fresh concerns that the DOJ will intensify its efforts to carry out President Trump’s personal agenda rather than uphold the rule of law.

“These cases reveal an alarming pattern of behavior in which top DOJ officials have repeatedly overridden antitrust enforcement efforts, potentially at the urging of politically connected corporate lobbyists and influence peddlers, regardless of the merits of the antitrust issues raised in the matters before the DOJ, including proposed mergers,” wrote the lawmakers.

Public reporting over the past year has revealed multiple instances in which DOJ officials appear to have overruled antitrust experts after meeting with corporate lobbyists to deliver favorable decisions — potentially contrary to the law — for companies seeking deal approvals or other favorable treatment from the government. These decisions have raised serious concerns under antitrust, federal ethics, and bribery laws and regulations and wholly undermine the DOJ Antitrust Division’s mission.  

“We request that your office conduct an evaluation of potential misconduct by any employees – including current employees like Acting Attorney General Blanche and Associate Attorney General Stanley Woodward, and former employees like former Attorney General Bondi and former chief of staff Chad Mizelle, who met with lobbyists with business pending before the DOJ Antitrust Division. We also ask that your office examine the role corporate lobbyists have had in influencing DOJ’s antitrust enforcement actions since January 20, 2025,” wrote the lawmakers. 

In addition to Bondi’s firing and the ouster of former DOJ Antitrust Head Gail Slater, the lawmakers highlighted key instances in which political influence potentially swayed Trump DOJ officials, including: DOJ’s settlement of the lawsuit to block HPE’s proposed acquisition of Juniper; its dismissal of the lawsuit to block Amex GBT’s acquisition of CWT; its settlement of the lawsuit to block the proposed merger of UnitedHealth and Amedisys; its rubber-stamping of the proposed Compass-Anywhere merger; its failure to extend the waiting period for the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger; its settlement of the lawsuit alleging illegal monopolization by Live Nation-Ticketmaster; and its clearance of the merger between Nexstar and TEGNA. 

Some companies with business before the DOJ hired Ballard Partners, the previous employer of former Attorney General Pam Bondi, to lobby her and other DOJ leadership. Ballard Partners also previously employed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles. The Antitrust Division has not blocked a transaction on antitrust grounds since President Trump took office this term, and the DOJ has allowed a host of concerning mergers to proceed without a challenge.

“Antitrust enforcement should promote competition and help workers and families based on the law and facts of the case, not political favors worked out with well-connected lobbyists,” concluded the lawmakers.

The lawmakers pressed the Inspector General to investigate whether DOJ officials have engaged in misconduct, including with respect to the incidents described above, as well as respond to questions regarding whether DOJ officials have potentially influenced antitrust matters involving their former clients or employers and the extent to which such activity has compromised the credibility and integrity of the decision-making process at DOJ. 

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger who serves on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence and House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after House Republicans voted down a War Powers Resolution, failing to end Donald Trump’s war of choice with Iran:

“Failing to end the President’s war of choice is a disgrace. Americans are struggling to get by, yet House Republicans and this Administration are more focused on continuing a war no one wants than on making their lives better for working people.

“President Trump got us into another Middle East war with no plan and no strategy. Gas prices are through the roof, thirteen servicemembers have been killed, the regime in Iran is even more extreme than it was before, the President picked fights with our allies, and our adversaries are better off strategically and financially.

“Americans want their leaders focused on lowering their costs, not spending billions of their tax dollars on another endless war in the Middle East. Congress must do its job and end this war immediately.”

In a joint statement leading up to the vote, Crow and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) urged Republicans and Democrats to vote in favor of War Powers Resolutions to rein in the war.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

Today, Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) introduced a resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage Month to honor the history, culture, and achievements of Arab Americans in the United States.

“Arab Americans are part of the fabric of our country and are integral to our communities in Southeast Michigan and across America,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “They have helped shape Michigan’s identity, sharing their culture and traditions with us. They are doctors, teachers, business owners, service members, and most importantly, our neighbors and friends. Every day, Arab Americans help make our state and country better. I’m proud to recognize April as Arab American Heritage Month to honor the continued accomplishments and impact of this community.”

“Arab Americans have made profound and lasting contributions to our nation,” said Congresswoman Tlaib. “As a proud and unapologetic Arab American woman serving in Congress, representing one of the largest Arab American communities in our country, I understand how vital it is that our community is seen, supported, and celebrated. I’m honored to amplify Arab American voices and introduce this resolution recognizing April as Arab American Heritage Month.”

An estimated 3.7 million Americans have Arab roots, with ancestries traced to 22 countries in the Middle East and North Africa, including Lebanon, Syria, Egypt, Palestine, Morocco, Iraq, Jordan, Yemen, Bahrain, Tunisia, Algeria, Sudan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and others.

Arab Americans continue to face discrimination in all sectors of our society. Despite this, Arab Americans have helped shape the culture, history, and economy of the United States in profound ways and deserve to be recognized and celebrated as an essential part of our country.

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps. André Carson (D-IN-07), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX-07), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Jonathon Jackson (D-IL-01), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Jim McGovern (D-MA-02), Gwen Moore (D-WI-04), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA-07), Delia Ramirez (D-IL-03), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI-13).

This legislation is endorsed by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, American Friends Service Committee, American Muslim Health Professionals, American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), Arab America Foundation, Arab American Association of New York, Arab American Civic Council, Arab American Heritage Council, Arab Caucus of the North Carolina Democratic Party, Arab Resource & Organizing Center (AROC), Bridging Cultures Group Inc., CAIR Action, Center for Civil Society and Democracy, Council on American-Islamic Relations, Emgage MI, Majdal: Arab Community Center of San Diego, MPower Change Action Fund, Muslim Civic Coalition, Muslims United PAC, National Network for Arab American Communities (NNAAC), Philadelphia Arab-American Development Corp, Ramallah Club of Metro Detroit, Syrian Community Network, Yemen Relief and Reconstruction Foundation, and Yemeni American Merchants Association.

The full text of the resolution is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Henry Cuellar (TX-28)

Today, Congressmen Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. (D-Texas) and Michael McCaul (R-Texas) reintroduced the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) Authorization Act, which would authorize a successful Department of Homeland Security (DHS) program that partners with other countries to help identify and stop dangerous criminals and potential terrorists from reaching our borders.

The Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) would allow the U.S. government to equip international partners with specialized training and technology to collect biometric and biographic information from individuals using illegal travel routes. The goal is to help identify high-risk individuals earlier in the process, before they reach U.S. ports of entry. The legislation would formally establish the program within the Department of Homeland Security and enhance congressional oversight of its implementation and outcomes. It also maintains that U.S. citizens may choose to opt out of providing biometrics for the entry and exit system.

“Strong border security depends on international coordination and having the resources to stop threats before they reach our communities. The BITMAP Authorization Act will help us identify dangerous individuals earlier, expand collaboration with regional partners, and strengthen congressional oversight through firm reporting requirements on partner agreements and program outcomes,” said Congressman Cuellar. “As Ranking Member of the Homeland Security Subcommittee on Appropriations, I thank my friend and colleague Congressman McCaul for his collaboration on this bipartisan effort to ensure law enforcement has what it needs to protect the American people and stay ahead of future security threats.”

“Bad actors like traffickers, terrorists, and transnational gang members may lie about their identity in order to enter our country undetected, but they can’t fake biometrics,” said Congressman McCaul. “The successful BITMAP program empowers our regional partners to identify and stop these individuals long before they reach our borders. I’m proud to reintroduce this bill on a bipartisan basis with Congressman Cuellar. The more we push our borders out, the safer our homeland will be.”

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Congressman Henry Cuellar, Ph.D. is a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Committee. Previously, he served as a Texas State Representative and Texas Secretary of State.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

U.S. Representative Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) is pressing the Trump Administration for answers for Michiganders following a series of United States Postal Service (USPS) delivery disruptions in Southeast Michigan. In a letter to Postmaster General David Steiner, Congresswoman Dingell demanded an explanation for the mail delays and disruptions affecting delivery of time-sensitive bills, medications, payments, legal documents, and other urgent communications. The Congresswoman noted it is especially important Michiganders can trust the timeliness of mail services ahead of the upcoming elections for voters choosing to vote by mail.

“These deliveries are not only essential for security, but they are also vital for the well-being, health, and livelihood of those who depend on USPS services. With tax season underway and elections approaching, timely and accurate mail delivery is more important than ever. My constituents deserve confidence that USPS services are reliable and operating on schedule,” Congresswoman Dingell said. 

Congresswoman Dingell ended the letter with a series of questions for the administration, including a request for explanations of the actions USPS has taken to address disruptions, the factors contributing to those disruptions, and what actions it requires from Congress to achieve long-term financial and operational stability. 

“USPS’s role of providing for the American people is more important than ever,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “It is essential that USPS operates transparently, meets delivery standards, and remains accessible to all communities.” 

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

Dear Postmaster General Steiner:

This letter is regarding the ongoing mail service disruptions in Southeast Michigan. My office has heard from hundreds of constituents about persistent delivery issues, and recently, I have received an increase of outreach related to substantial delays and complete disruptions in mail service. Reliable mail delivery is essential, and the United States Postal Service (USPS) plays a critical role in ensuring connectivity, access, and inclusion for all communities.  

Constituents have raised particular concerns surrounding the disruptions to time-sensitive and essential mail, including bills, medications, payments, legal documents, and urgent communications. These deliveries are not only essential for security, but they are also vital for the well-being, health, and livelihood of those who depend on USPS services. With tax season underway and elections approaching, timely and accurate mail delivery is more important than ever. My constituents deserve confidence that USPS services are reliable and operating on schedule.

I request clarity regarding USPS operations in Southeast Michigan and would like written responses to the following questions:

• When can my constituents expect mail delivery service to return to normal levels, and what steps is USPS taking to ensure consistent and reliable service going forward?
• Under the Delivering for America plan, the Regional Transportation Optimization (RTO) and Local Transportation Optimization (LTO) initiatives have limited mail pickups from post offices more than fifty miles from Regional Processing and Distribution Centers. These changes have contributed to service delays. Additionally, USPS has placed over fifty processing and distribution centers under review, with recommendations to downsize many of them. This would mean that vital mail must travel hundreds of additional miles to be processed and employees could be forced to uproot their lives, find new employment, or retire. Please provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the Delivering for America plan, including these initiatives, and describe what actions USPS has taken to address any resulting service disruptions or shortcomings.
• USPS has often attributed delivery issues to inclement weather and road conditions. What additional factors are contributing to these ongoing disruptions, and how does USPS plan to address them?
• You have been on the record discussing the financial future of USPS and have suggested reforms that some have characterized as steps toward privatization. How will you ensure that USPS remains a self-financed, independent agency, and what actions or support does USPS require from Congress to achieve long-term financial and operational stability?

USPS’s role of providing for the American people is more important than ever. USPS provides mail and package delivery services that allow Americans to pay their bills, receive medication, and facilitate participation in our democratic process. It is essential that USPS operates transparently, meets delivery standards, and remains accessible to all communities.

Thank you for your attention to this important matter, and I look forward to your prompt responses.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — Representatives Paul D. Tonko (D-NY-20) and Troy Balderson (R-OH-12) announced the introduction of bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the School-Based Health Centers (SBHC) program. The bill H.R. 8209, would amend the Public Health Service Act to reauthorize the school-based health centers grant program.

Students and their families rely on SBHCs to meet their needs for a full range of age-appropriate health care services. SBHCs primarily operate in underserved communities and play a crucial role in the provision of primary care services to school children, which also includes dental screenings and mental health services. There are more than 2,500 school-based health centers nationwide, serving more than 6.3 million K-12 students.

“We in Congress should do everything in our power to ensure our future generation has the support and care they need to thrive,” Congressman Tonko said. “School-based health centers play a critical role in providing healthcare for students, including those struggling with mental health challenges or substance use disorders. I am proud to stand with my colleagues to push for this important measure that serves students and families across New York’s Capital Region and beyond.”

“School-based health centers are crucial for ensuring students can access quality care where they spend most of their day—at school,” said Balderson. “By reaffirming and strengthening federal support for these centers, we are helping families access preventive services, improving student health outcomes, and giving children the foundation they need to succeed both in the classroom and in life. This program has been a tremendous success in Ohio, and I’m proud to help lead the effort to reauthorize it.”

This bipartisan legislation was included in a recent Energy & Commerce Subcommittee on Health hearing, titled Healthier America: Legislative Proposals to Improve Public Health.

Previously, Tonko supported the successful effort to reauthorize the SBHC program, which reauthorized the program through 2026.

Bill text can be read HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Generational investment has regional impact | Commentaries | timesdaily.com

On March 20 we marked the beginning of something truly significant, not just for one community, but for all of north Alabama. The announcement of a $2 billion investment in northwest Alabama is more than a milestone. It is a generational opportunity that will help reshape north Alabama’s economy for decades to come.

Projects like this do not happen overnight. They are the result of years of preparation, partnership, and persistence. This happened because people believed in this community, and because we made a deliberate effort to bring opportunity back to places that had been overlooked.

There are more than 120 countries in the world that do not spend $2 billion a year on their entire military. That shows the level of investment that is now being made right here in north Alabama.

This investment is a direct result of the One Big Beautiful Bill, passed under President Trump’s leadership, and the work we did to ensure communities like ours were included. That legislation includes a $400 million investment to expand a collaborative campus for naval shipbuilding, building advanced manufacturing and workforce training capacity for the next generation.

This is not just a line in a bill. It is a strategy, and it is taking shape here at home. Investments of this scale do not stay within one particular county. They ripple outward, creating opportunities across communities, industries, and families.

We have seen this before. When automobile manufacturers came to Alabama, they built more than plants. They built entire ecosystems. Suppliers followed, small businesses expanded, and workforce training programs grew.

That same ripple effect is now within reach for our area, From Colbert County to DeKalb County, from Barton to Boaz, this investment will create opportunities far beyond the footprint of the facility. The Hadrian project alone is expected to bring at least 1,000 direct jobs with many more created through supporting industries and supply chains.

This is a Factory of the Future. What is done manually elsewhere will be done automatically here. The people working in this facility will operate advanced equipment, apply specialized skills, and help lead the next generation of American manufacturing.

These are not just jobs, they are careers. They will be well-trained, well-compensated positions that support our national security and reward both skill and dedication.

This facility will require a highly skilled workforce, strengthening partnerships with our schools, community colleges, and workforce programs. For young people, this creates a new pathway to gain the training they need and step directly into high-quality careers without leaving home.

I’ve heard it time and again, opportunities like this mean our young people can stay here and build good-paying, long-term careers close to home. It will also mean growth for small businesses, the backbone of our local economies.

Just as important is how this fits into a bigger picture across our state. This is not about competing with Huntsville or the Gulf Coast, it is about strengthening and completing what Alabama is building. People will invent in Huntsville, craft and create it along the river, and export it through Mobile.

With access to the Tennessee River and the Port of Mobile, this becomes a powerful line of commerce from the Tennessee Valley to the world. Shipping by water is dramatically more cost effective than trucking, giving Alabama a clear competitive advantage.

At the same time, investments like the Coast Guard training campus at Birmingham-Southern further strengthen Alabama’s role in maritime operations and national defense.

Together, this creates a more complete system, one that expands opportunity, strengthens our supply chain, and grows our workforce.

In many ways, Alabama is becoming to national defense what Hollywood is to movies, a place where talent, infrastructure, and innovation come together to produce something essential for the nation.

For decades, some communities have worked to recover from lost industries. That is something I have made it a priority to change, and now that work is paying off.

This project represents more than economic development. It represents a renewed sense of possibility. And we are just getting started.

This $2 billion investment is not just a win for today. It is a foundation for tomorrow and the decades ahead, and its impact will be felt across every corner of north Alabama.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is holding an Energy Subcommittee hearing titled, Subsurface Science and Technology: American Energy and Mineral Dominance.

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) opening statement as prepared for the record is below:

Thank you, Chairman Weber and Ranking Member Ross, for holding this hearing today. I would also like to thank our panel of expert witnesses for appearing before the Committee to talk about subsurface research that will help secure our clean energy future.

In particular, advanced geothermal technologies now hold great potential to be a clean energy solution across the U.S. My home state of California is helping lead geothermal innovation – hosting 53 of the 99 current U.S. geothermal power plants, accounting for 72% of the nation’s total capacity. The Geysers complex in California is the world’s largest producer of geothermal energy, generating enough electricity to power approximately 725,000 homes. The presence of such a significant facility has also stimulated STEM engagement in universities across the state, including San José State University in my district.

So I certainly support efforts to advance research and development in geothermal energy to better understand how to deploy this renewable resource, while also leveraging the talent and enthusiasm of students in my district and across the country. 

Another important area that we’ll be discussing today is the Department of Energy’s R&D efforts to examine critical materials that are necessary for manufacturing a wide range of clean energy technologies. Unfortunately, many of these minerals and alloys are not readily available from domestic sources, and some important supply chains are controlled by nations that are not always our friends. Consistent with the well-vetted and bipartisan critical materials provisions in the Energy Act of 2020 that advanced through this Committee, I support continued research to develop viable substitutes to these materials that are derived from more abundant sources. And I also strongly support R&D to minimize the environmental impacts of identifying, extracting, and processing current domestic sources of critical materials that the industries of today and tomorrow will need.

I very much look for to discussing these topics in more detail with the excellent panel we have here this morning, and with that I yield back the balance of my time.

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