MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Angie Craig (MN-02)

MN-ND region was recently ranked in the bottom ten nationally for on-time mail delivery

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC — Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) introduced the Closing the Digital Divide for Students Act to expand broadband access for low-income families in HUD-assisted housing. This bill would allow families living in HUD-assisted housing, whose children qualify for free or reduced lunch, to use federal assistance on broadband internet access.

Currently, families who live in HUD-assisted housing receive financial assistance for utility bills like electricity and gas. This legislation would expand what utilities are permissible, allowing families to use this assistance on basic broadband internet.

“As AI continues to reshape the future of the workforce, it is more important than ever for students to have access to reliable internet connectivity at home,” said Congressman Foster. “Schools are increasingly incorporating technology into their curriculums and students should not be disadvantaged by the high price of internet access. This bill would help close the divide for the millions of students who lack broadband internet access in their home, allowing them to succeed in their courses.”

A copy of the legislation is available here.

The legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Stephen Lynch (D-MA).     

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on Interim U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros:

“Andrew Boutros must resign. His time as Interim AG has been an unmitigated disaster, marred by misconduct and blatant attempts to subvert the rule of law to please Trump. There must be a non-partisan, transparent process to replace him. Chicagoans deserve a justice system they can trust.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) and Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-2) introduced the Advancing American Wi-Fi Against Foreign Adversaries Act, a bipartisan bill that strengthens coordination between the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA), Federal Communications Commission (FCC), and State Department while promoting a consistent international approach to unlicensed spectrum use without binding the United States to specific technical standards or outcomes. As the United States prepares for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, it is crucial that the U.S. government adopts a clear, coordinated strategy to defend global access to this spectrum. 

“As we prepare for the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, congressional oversight is essential to ensure the United States is ready and speaking with one voice during these high-stakes international negotiations. I am proud to introduce this bill alongside my colleague, Rep. Carter, to strengthen U.S. leadership in global spectrum policy ahead of this critical conference cycle. As global competition over reliable Wi-Fi and spectrum policy continues to grow, this legislation will help ensure America remains competitive and well-positioned for the future,” said Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5). 

“Reliable, affordable Wi-Fi is not a luxury — it is a lifeline for families, small businesses, and communities across Louisiana. As co-chair of the Wi-Fi Caucus, I know how much is at stake when foreign adversaries seek to undermine critical infrastructure that millions of Americans depend on every day. This bipartisan legislation ensures that as we head into the 2027 World Radiocommunication Conference, the United States shows up unified, prepared, and committed to protecting the connectivity that powers our economy and our way of life,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-2). 

“We commend Reps. Latta and Carter for introducing the ‘Advancing American Wi-Fi Against Foreign Adversaries Act,’ which recognizes the vital role that Wi-Fi plays in the U.S. economy and our national security. Wi-Fi is the workhorse of the internet — carrying 90% of mobile traffic — and generates over $1 trillion in economic activity every year. As China aims to dedicate all spectrum to licensed use, it is vital that the United States maintain its balanced approach, including robust unlicensed and shared spectrum. Upholding this leadership ensures continued innovation, economic growth, and affordable connectivity for Americans,” said Cory Gardner, President & CEO, NCTA – The Internet & Television Association.  

Congressmen Latta and Carter are the co-chairs of the Wi-Fi Caucus.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Reps. Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Doris Matsui (CA-07), and Derek Tran (CA-45), along with other members of the California Congressional Delegation, in urging Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Mehmet Oz to reverse the Administration’s decision to defer $1.1 billion in federal funding for California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. 

The lawmakers emphasized that IHSS serves more than 900,000 Californians and provides critical daily supports, including personal care, meal preparation, and medical assistance. The members raised serious concerns that CMS’s justification — allegations of waste, fraud, and abuse — lacks sufficient evidence and instead results in broad, indiscriminate funding delays that harm beneficiaries and caregivers alike. They underscored that California’s increased IHSS expenditures reflect deliberate investments to meet growing needs.

“CMS has targeted California’s IHSS program and other HCBS programs across the country by using claims of ‘waste, fraud, and abuse’ as a smoke screen to rip health care away from millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid-funded HCBS,” wrote the lawmakers. “The undersigned Members agree that there should be efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure bad actors are held accountable. If the Trump Administration were serious about addressing fraud, it would take actions based on evidence, according to federal law, and aimed at improving program integrity. Yet CMS has chosen to defer significant funds for these services across the board, which will impact all recipients and providers.”

“In addition, Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are harming patients through $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and undermining actual efforts to fight fraud, including the Administration’s decision to fire at least 17 inspectors general, including the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services,” continued the lawmakers. 

Members of the delegation warned that defunding IHSS could force individuals into more costly institutional care or homelessness, ultimately increasing federal spending and destabilizing care systems. The lawmakers called on HHS to immediately restore the funding in order to protect access to essential Medicaid services.

In addition to Reps. Panetta, Lofgren, Matsui, and Tran, the letter was also signed by Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Reps. Pete Aguilar (CA-33), Ami Bera (CA-06), Julia Brownley (CA-26), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Judy Chu (CA-28), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Laura Friedman (CA-30), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Josh Harder (CA-09), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Mike Levin (CA-49), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Dave Min (CA-47), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Scott Peters (CA-50), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Mark Takano (CA-39), Mike Thompson (CA-04), Norma Torres (CA-35), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Maxine Waters (CA-43), and George Whitesides (CA-27).

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Dear Administrator Oz:

As members of the California Congressional Delegation, we write to express strong opposition to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) extreme and unprecedented action to defer $1.1 billion in federal funding tied to California’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program.

IHSS is a type of state and federally Medicaid-funded Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) that enables eligible seniors, adults with disabilities, and children to remain safely in their own homes rather than in an institutional setting, like a nursing facility. The IHSS program currently serves over 900,000 Californians who rely on the services to support their activities of daily life, such as bathing, dressing, cooking, cleaning, medication administration, accompaniment to medical appointments, and protective supervision for those who require 24-hour supervision.

CMS has targeted California’s IHSS program and other HCBS programs across the country by using claims of “waste, fraud, and abuse” as a smoke screen to rip health care away from millions of Americans who rely on Medicaid-funded HCBS. The undersigned Members agree that there should be efforts to combat waste, fraud, and abuse to ensure bad actors are held accountable. If the Trump Administration were serious about addressing fraud, it would take actions based on evidence, according to federal law, and aimed at improving program integrity. Yet CMS has chosen to defer significant funds for these services across the board, which will impact all recipients and providers. CMS’ primary basis for fraud claims is the growth in California’s IHSS expenditures, when in fact the state of California has provided reasonable explanations for this growth in spending as a result of intentional and purposeful investments to ensure care for this population.

In addition, Congressional Republicans and the Trump Administration are harming patients through $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act and undermining actual efforts to fight fraud, including the Administration’s decision to fire at least 17 inspectors general, including the Inspector General for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Medi-Cal is the primary payer and often the only option for low-income older adults and people with disabilities to receive the care they need. Reducing access to IHSS and other HCBS threatens the health and financial stability of seniors, adults with disabilities, and children as well as the providers who care for them. This funding deferral could force the state to reduce IHSS services, increasing the risk of people forced into homelessness or institutional care settings, both of which are far more expensive to the federal government.

We urge CMS to reverse course and immediately restore the IHSS funds, protecting seniors and people with disabilities as well as the caregivers who support them.

Sincerely, 

 

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

Washington D.C. (May 22, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement following the introduction of H.Res. 1314: America 250 Commemorative Flag Act. This Act would allow the 250 commemorative flag to fly on all federal buildings, along with our official U.S. flag and the POW/MIA flag.

“As the United States celebrates our Semiquincentennial, officially recognizing the America 250 ‘Betsy Ross’ flag would publicly honor the courage and sacrifice of our founding, and remind all Americans of the principles upon which our Republic was built. Displaying this historic flag across federal properties would serve as a lasting tribute to our nation’s heritage and reaffirm our shared commitment to preserving the ideals of freedom, unity, and self-governance for generations to come.”

Original Co-Sponsor Support:
“This year, we honor 250 years of freedom and independence preserved by millions of patriots and by the sacrifices they made to protect our liberties. Our flag represents far more than our united nation. It stands as a symbol of the courage, sacrifice, and resilience that built this country and defended our freedoms for generations.  As a veteran myself, I am proud to support this legislation recognizing the America 250 Flag as an official flag of the United States.” – Congressman Clay Fuller (R-GA)

“America’s strength has always come from our commitment to freedom, self-government, and the constitutional principles that make this nation exceptional. The American flag reflects that legacy and the sacrifice of generations who defended it. I am pleased to cosponsor this resolution recognizing the America 250 flag as we commemorate this historic milestone.” – Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (R-NY)

“As we celebrate 250 years of American independence, we honor the generations of Americans who sacrificed to build, protect, and strengthen our democracy,” said Congressman Suozzi (D-NY). “Our flag has always stood as a symbol of freedom and opportunity, not just here at home, but around the world. At a time when our nation can feel deeply divided, this anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on our shared values, recommit ourselves to the Constitution and the rule of law, and remember that there is more that unites us than divides us.”

“I’m proud to support Congressman Loudermilk’s resolution to allow for the historic America 250 ‘Betsy Ross’ flag to fly over every federal building for the remainder of 2026,” said Congressman Nehls (R-TX). “This flag will serve as a beautiful reminder for every American of the principles that our nation was built on and pay tribute to the freedoms we all enjoy today.”

Dan Newhouse [R-WA], Pat Harrigan [R-NC], Michael Lawler [R-NY], Brian Babin [R-TX], Ryan K. Zinke [R-MT], John R. Carter [R-TX], Earl L. “Buddy” Carter [R-GA], Ralph Norman [R-SC], Andy Biggs [R-AZ], Randy K. Weber Sr. [R-TX], Scott Fitzgerald [R-WI], Mike Collins [R-GA], Michael K. Simpson [R-ID], Pete Sessions [R-TX], Michael Cloud [R-TX], Mark Harris [R-NC], W. Gregory Steube [R-FL], Juan Vargas [D-CA], Gary J. Palmer [R-AL], David P. Joyce [R-OH], H. Morgan Griffith [R-VA], Sheri Biggs [R-SC], Marlin A. Stutzman [R-IN], Guy Reschenthaler [R-PA]

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

Washington D.C. (April 30, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement following the U.S. House vote on H.R. 7576 – Farm, Food, and National Security Act.

“Since our nation’s founding, agriculture has played a vital role in ensuring America remains prosperous. Our farmers dedicate their lives to the grueling work it takes to keep our country fed and to cultivate natural materials we use in our everyday lives. We owe them a debt of gratitude for this work and our government must continue to secure the stability in this industry needed to ensure a major sector of our economy functions at its best.

“It has been nearly a decade since Congress has taken decisive action in support of farmers and, in that time, the uncertainty has made it increasingly difficult for agricultural production to operate at its most effective levels. That, in turn, leaves America vulnerable, as an inability to fully secure our own food supply is a threat to our national security. With the passage of a new Farm Bill, America’s farmers will be able to operate under a clearly defined framework that allows them to produce without fear of interruptions at the hands of Washington dysfunction, and the risks to American food security will be sufficiently mitigated. This legislation is long overdue, but I am pleased to see it finally make it over the finish line.”

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

Washington, D.C. (April 29, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement on the U.S. House vote on S. 1318: Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act:

“Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we have faced a Constitutional dilemma, how to balance the constitutional responsibilities of the federal government to ‘provide for the common defense,’ while simultaneously protecting an individual’s right to privacy, and ensuring due process. Since the passing the Patriot Act, I have opposed the government intrusion into a U.S. citizen’s private communications without the due process requirement of obtaining a search warrant. With my experience in military intelligence, I also understand the importance of FISA in deterring attacks on the United States, our citizens, and allies. This is why I fought hard to impose reforms in FISA, to strike a balance between the government’s responsibility to provide safety and individual right to privacy.

“With the recently adopted reforms yielding positive results, and additional enhancements to ensure compliance, I believe the legislation just passed continues to allow those charged with the defense of the U.S. the tools and authority necessary to maintain our national security, while also protecting the rights of Americans. Individual liberty is paramount to a free society, and I am confident that this legislation is sufficient in maintaining that liberty.”

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

Washington D.C. (April 29, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement following the U.S. House vote on S.Con.Res 33: Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.

“Border security and immigration enforcement are vital elements of any sovereign nation and are too important to be left unfunded. I continue to believe that Homeland Security should be funded in its entirety through proper annual appropriations; but the ability to ensure ICE and Border Patrol can operate without the threat of constant interruptions is vital to our national security.

“Americans consistently show support for enforcing secure borders and the removal of foreign criminals, and my Republican colleagues and I are using every avenue available to deliver on this issue, as our colleagues across the aisle stand in opposition to the rule of law. Protecting the American homeland should be a core function of our government, and this legislation allows us to ensure that it will.”