MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — The House of Representatives on Monday unanimously passed the bipartisan Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act, led by Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). This bill would ban foreign nationals from making political contributions in state and local ballot initiatives and recall elections.  

“In an increasingly divided world, free and fair elections offer a rare chance for positive civic engagement — foreign influence undermines that opportunity,” Golden said. “I’m proud the House took a major step to ensure our elections are not for sale and that American voters call the shots.”

“The ballot is the instrument by which a free people govern themselves,” Fitzpatrick said. “No foreign government, foreign national or foreign interest should have a hand in deciding the laws Americans live under. Today’s unanimous vote is an important step in our broader bipartisan work to protect the integrity of our elections, preserve the sovereignty of the American voter, and strengthen public faith in self-government. On this principle, there should be no division and no exception: American elections must be decided by American citizens alone. The Senate should now act with the same unity and send this bill to the president’s desk.”  

While foreign nationals are already barred from contributing to candidate campaigns, current law does not prohibit them from financing issue-based ballot measures. The Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act closes this loophole by amending the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to extend the prohibition to every aspect of our electoral system.

Maine is one of only 15 states to pass its own law banning foreign contributions in ballot initiatives. 

Golden has fought to limit foreign influence in American elections during his time in Congress. In 2024, the Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act was part of Golden’s Government Integrity and Anti-Corruption Plan, a set of 14 bills designed to prevent political leaders from leveraging their position for profit, increase transparency and reduce the influence of dark money and foreign interference in American democracy.

Read the text of the bill here. 

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

The historic investment positions the Greater Kansas City region to strengthen America’s supply chains, advance manufacturing and national security.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter on Monday to Acting Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Robert J. Fenton after the agency announced it would condition more than $1 billion in Homeland Security Grant Program (HSGP) terrorism prevention funding on states adopting a series of new election requirements, including citizenship verification mandates, restrictions on voting equipment, mandatory post-election audits, and voter registration verification requirements. In the letter, Krishnamoorthi argues the policy is a coercive and unconstitutional attempt to pressure states into adopting the Trump Administration’s voter suppression agenda by threatening to withhold critical counterterrorism funding. 

The Congressman writes:

“According to the notice, FEMA will withhold 20 percent of each recipient’s total HSGP award until the recipient proves it has complied with the Department’s newly invented ‘Election Security’ requirements. This unprecedented attempt to leverage congressionally appropriated funds to influence state election administration is directly drawn from Project 2025, and it is coercive and unconstitutional. I urge you and the Trump Administration to stop all attempts to undermine trust in our elections on baseless claims of widespread fraud, and maintain full funding for state’s HSGP awards.”

The Congressman further writes:

“The specific conditions that FEMA has outlined make clear that this is yet another attempt to threaten American voters’ access to the ballot box. The notice conditions funding for grant recipients by requiring states to submit plans to eliminate ballot-marking devices in favor of hand-marked paper ballots, commit to a 5 percent manual post-election audit, reconcile voter turnout figures with ballots cast, and use the Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) database to check the citizenship status of every registered voter within 120 days of accepting the award. Several of these mandates, such as the SAVE requirement, have already been blocked or viewed with considerable skepticism by federal courts when the Administration tried to impose them through executive order.”

The Congressman requested the following records no later than July 29, 2026:

1. All records, communications, and legal analyses concerning the decision to condition HSGP funding on the FY 2026 Election Security NPA requirements, including any role played by the Department of Homeland Security or the White House; 
2. An accounting of which states and urban areas have had HSGP funds withheld to date, and the dollar amount withheld from each; 
3. Any legal opinion FEMA relied upon in concluding it may condition terrorism-prevention funding on election administration requirements unrelated to the statutory purposes of the Homeland Security Grant Program; and 
4. All records reflecting consideration of Project 2025’s Mandate for Leadership in the drafting of the FY 2026 HSGP Notice of Funding Opportunity. 

The full text of the letter is available here.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) and Committee on House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle (D-NY) demanded Postmaster General David Steiner make an immediate, public commitment that the United States Postal Service will fully comply with a federal court injunction blocking implementation of President Trump’s executive order restricting mail voting. They also requested that Steiner appear voluntarily before Congress to testify regarding the Postal Service’s compliance with the court’s order, advising that if he declines, Ranking Member Krishnamoorthi will pursue a congressional subpoena.

“Yet despite that unequivocal ruling, serious questions remain about whether USPS intends to continue advancing policies that would condition the delivery of election mail on states turning over voter registration and absentee ballot data to the federal government. Accordingly, we are demanding your immediate, unambiguous, and public commitment that USPS will fully comply with the court’s order,” wrote Krishnamoorthi and Morelle. 

The letter follows Steiner’s June 24 Senate testimony that USPS would not continue delivering mail ballots to states that refused to provide absentee voter data to the federal government—a position the lawmakers argue is incompatible with the federal court’s subsequent ruling.

Accordingly, Krishnamoorthi and Morelle requested written responses by July 16, 2026, to the following questions:

1. Will USPS fully comply with the June 25, 2026, federal court injunction and immediately halt all implementation of the executive order blocked by that ruling?
2. Are you willing to appear voluntarily before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to testify under oath regarding USPS’s compliance with the injunction and its operational plans for the delivery of election mail?

“The law is clear: USPS has no authority to regulate mail-in voting, dictate how states conduct elections, or condition the delivery of ballots on states surrendering sensitive voter data to the federal government. No president can override the law with an executive order. A federal court has now reaffirmed those limits. Any effort to transform the Postal Service from a neutral carrier of election mail into an instrument of voter suppression will be met with immediate congressional action,” the lawmakers concluded. 

Click here to read the letter Postmaster General Steiner.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson joined Leader Scalise, Chairwoman McClain, and Rep. Carlos Gimenez – whose family fled communism in Cuba – in highlighting the horrors of socialism and communism. Speaker Johnson also addressed the rise of anti-American, communist candidates currently taking over the Democrat Party.

“This philosophy has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone. It is a nightmare and is a trail to certain death. And that’s why we’re speaking in such stark terms, because we need America to wake up,” Speaker Johnson said. “35 years ago, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the Reagan years, they were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it’s here.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

On the rise of socialist, communist Democrat candidates:

We’re fighting right now in Congress over whether we’re going to maintain our status as a constitutional republic or we’re going to trade that in, dismantle the foundations and go down this dark road of death to communism. That is the question on the ballot this fall. Now, the DSA published their platform – I hope you’re all covering it. I hope you’re writing in depth about their platform. I read it out loud at event a few weeks ago, and they’ve made an ad mocking me reading their platform. Now, they didn’t put the clips with the worst parts of it. Well, of course they want to pack the Supreme Court, and they want a unicameral legislature. They want the House to run everything; abolish the Senate, because they believe the House would be run by Marxists communists. They want to remove the President. What they also want to do is abolish all borders. They don’t want any borders. They want mass amnesty granted to anyone who can come onto our shores without exception, even for terrorists and hardened, dangerous criminals. They don’t want prisons. It’s in their platform. They want to remove the carceral state. They said no prisons. They don’t want to fund the police. This is not a game. Everybody needs to understand. These crazy little mini-Mamdani’s who are popping up all around the country; they are a danger to you and your family. This is not a game. If they promise you free stuff, there is far more beneath those promises that even some of these people do not understand themselves.

On the failures of communism historically:

Our rights come from our Creator, God; they do not come from the government. The communist believes the opposite. They believe that the government of the state is God and that the state is the one that gives you all your rights. And you know what? The state can also take those rights away. And that’s exactly what happens. It’s inevitable in communism. And this philosophy has led to the murder of tens of millions of innocent people in the 20th century alone. It is a nightmare. It is a trail to certain death and that’s why we’re speaking in such stark terms, because we need America to wake up. 35 years ago, Republicans and Democrats in Congress, the Reagan years, they were fighting communism on a distant shore. Now it’s here.

But in Congress, they all agreed on that. They obviously knew that we had to fight communism. And so, what they were doing here for domestic policy, that was foreign policy, domestic policy, they were arguing over marginal tax rates and the shades of regulation and how large the government should be. There wasn’t a huge difference. The chasm between the two parties, those days are gone right now. Domestically, we are arguing, we are debating, we are fighting. The election will be over whether we’re going to maintain our freedom in a constitutional republic, the greatest experiment in self-governance in the history of the world, the longest surviving constitution on the planet, the nation that everybody wants to emulate and everybody wants to come here. We have to seal our borders, so they won’t flood over them. We’re the only nation in the world that has that distinction. We’re the last great superpower. We are the greatest nation in the history of the world.

On the high stakes of the midterm elections:

There has been a small number of times in the history of America where the actual experiment in self-governance was on the ballot. The idea that we would preserve a constitutional republic, one nation under God, a government of, by, and for the people. All that is in question right now. For the first time, really in my lifetime, this is a real question. The American people have to decide in November, in a midterm election for Congress and Senate. It’s not something that we would’ve projected. I hoped and prayed it would never come to this, but here we are. The barbarians are in the gate.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

MEMPHIS, TN — Last week, Congressman David Kustoff (R-TN-08) toured across Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District to present flags flown over the U.S. Capitol to West Tennesseans whose service and hard work have helped shape America’s story for 250 years..

“America’s 250th birthday is an opportunity to honor the people who keep our country moving forward,”  said Congressman Kustoff.  “Here in West Tennessee, that spirit is alive in the men and women who serve their neighbors and strengthen our communities. It was an honor to recognize West Tennessee’s finest and present them with flags flown over the U.S. Capitol.”

As part of the tour, Congressman Kustoff honored Major Billy Gene Key, an Army Reserve servicemember who was injured during a drone strike while deployed to Kuwait; and Larry Marshall, a U.S. Army veteran who received a flag in honor of his father, Phillip G. Marshall.

The tour included stops with local businesses, farms, first responders, educators, law enforcement, and community organizations across TN-08, where Congressman Kustoff presented flags flown over the U.S. Capitol, including:

Shelby County

– Ducks Unlimited: Met with Ducks Unlimited leadership to discuss habitat conservation and recognize the organization’s work protecting wetlands and waterfowl habitat.

– Bartlett Fire Station 1: Thanked Bartlett firefighters for their service to the Bartlett community.

– Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency: Joined TWRA officers on the Mississippi River and recognized their work protecting Tennessee’s waterways.

– Agricenter International: Met with agricultural leaders and toured the Helena research facility at Agricenter International.

– Dinstuhl’s Chocolate Factory: Toured the historic Memphis business and recognized its longtime contributions to the Mid-South.

Fayette County

– Rhea Farm: Visited with farm owner Scott Rhea to discuss the Farm Bill, rising input costs, and West Tennessee agriculture.

– Fayette County Sheriff’s Office: Met with Sheriff Bobby Riles and deputies to thank them for their service to Fayette County.
 

Haywood County

– Mallard Estates: Met with farm owners and Mallard Estates operators Blake and Monte McWilliams to discuss agriculture, land management, and outdoor recreation in West Tennessee.

– Haywood County Sheriff’s Office: Met with Sheriff Billy Garrett and recognized his years of service to Haywood County.

Crockett County

– Tennessee Tractor: Visited with Tennessee Tractor leadership to discuss agriculture, equipment needs, and the farming economy.

– Yukon Outfitters: Toured this West Tennessee small business and discussed its growth and work in the outdoor products industry.
 

Madison County

– Life Flight Air Evac: Recognized Air Evac crew members for their lifesaving emergency medical work across West Tennessee.

– Lifeline Blood Services: Visited Lifeline Blood Services to highlight its role in supporting patients and medical facilities across the region.

Chester County

– Freed-Hardeman University: Met with new university president Dr. Keith Harris.

Gibson County

– Luckey Farms: Visited with farm owner Jason Luckey and his family to discuss agriculture and the needs of Gibson County farmers.

– Milan Box Corporation: Toured the longtime Milan manufacturer and discussed its work supporting industrial packaging and local jobs.

Carroll County

– Carroll County 911 Center: Toured the new 911 center and recognized local emergency communications personnel.

– Huntingdon Football Team: Honored the Huntingdon football team for winning the 2A state championship.
 

Henderson County

– AutoZone Distribution Center: Toured the Lexington distribution center and recognized its role as one of the area’s largest employers.

– Veterans Honor Guard of Parker’s Crossroads: Recognized the volunteer veterans who provide military honors at funerals across West Tennessee.

These visits highlighted the service and patriotism of West Tennesseans who strengthen their communities and represent the very best of Tennessee’s 8th Congressional District.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Following advocacy from the New Hampshire Congressional delegation, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee, Senator Maggie Hassan (NH), and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) in applauding the signing of a PACT Act lease by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) that will make West Chesterfield, New Hampshire, the home of a new Community Based Outpatient Clinic (CBOC). This replaces the CBOCs in Keene and Brattleboro, Vermont. The announcement is a significant step toward expanding access to high-quality health care for veterans in the Granite State.

“I’m thrilled to welcome this new VA outpatient clinic to Cheshire County,” said Congressman Pappas, member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee and Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee. “Every veteran across New Hampshire should be able to access the care they need close to home, whether through a VA medical center, our community-based outpatient clinics, or community care. I’ll always fight for our veterans to receive the best possible care, and to cut the red tape between them and the treatment they deserve.”

“It’s imperative that the men and women who sacrificed everything to defend and serve our nation have access to first rate health care when they need it – no matter where they live in our state,” said Senator Shaheen. “For a long time, the Monadnock region was a health care desert for veterans until we worked with the VA to open its first and only health care facility more than a decade ago. This announcement is a continuation of that years-long effort and a crucial step toward bringing more health care services to veterans in Cheshire County and the entire Monadnock region.”

“America’s veterans risked their lives to keep our country safe, secure, and free. We will never fully repay the debt we owe them, but we have an obligation to try each and every day,” said Senator Hassan. “This new outpatient clinic will help veterans in the Monadnock region access the health services they need closer to home. I will continue to work to help get our veterans access to the health care that they have earned and deserve.”

“We have a sacred obligation to the women and men who have served our country in uniform. Our veterans put their lives on the line to keep us safe, and it’s my mission in Congress to ensure that they have access to the services, benefits, and healthcare they have earned,” said Congresswoman Goodlander, a member of the House Veterans Affairs Committee. “This clinic will deliver quality care to these brave American heroes across the Monadnock Region and beyond, and I am proud to stand with our partners across New Hampshire to get our veterans the care they need.”

According to the VA, the clinic will increase clinical capacity and provide Veterans with more convenient and timely access to VA care, with construction and facility preparation expected to be completed by fall 2028, and the first patient is planned to be seen by spring 2029. The new lease will expand and modernize Primary Care space while rightsizing a state of the art, energy efficient facility that delivers integrated Primary Care, Mental Health, Specialty Care, and Ancillary services, improving operational efficiency and the Veteran experience in the Keene, NH and Brattleboro, VT area. The project will lease 26,603 net usable square feet (NUSF) of replacement outpatient clinic space in the vicinity of West Chesterfield, NH, with 150 parking spaces, in support of the White River Junction VA Health Care System.

Last year Congressman Pappas led the New Hampshire delegation in introducing the Veterans Full-Service Care and Access Act, legislation that would require the VA to operate at least one full-service Veterans Health Administration hospital in each of the 48 contiguous states. In 2022 Pappas fought back against and stopped a Biden administration plan to close Community-Based Outpatient Clinics in Conway, Somersworth, and Portsmouth. Thanks to Pappas’s advocacy, these clinics remain open today. In the same year, Pappas fought to pass the PACT Act as a member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, which expanded VA health care to millions of veterans exposed to toxic substances like burn pits and Agent Orange. Since the PACT Act became law, the Department of Veterans Affairs has received more than 12,000 claims from New Hampshire veterans.

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

Red Bay, AL — Today, Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04) highlighted approval of an Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) grant to Red Bay Water & Gas for the Cooper Springs Well and Pump House Upgrade Project.

This project will rehabilitate an inactive well and nearby infrastructure to improve water capacity and support industrial and residential water needs throughout Red Bay. By upgrading existing infrastructure and addressing deficiencies in water flow, the water system in Red Bay will be able to reliably support schools, businesses, and economic development.

“This grant will create long-term prosperity and support economic development for the City of Red Bay by ensuring the Cooper Springs Well and Pump House infrastructure is updated and reliable,” said Congressman Aderholt. “As the existing water system prohibits proper water flow, this ARC grant is a step towards bringing new businesses and supporting existing industries in Red Bay.”

In addition to ARC funds, local sources are providing $1,800,000 bringing the project total to $2,300,000.

The Appalachian Regional Commission is an economic development partnership of the federal government and 13 state governments focused on strengthening economic growth and opportunity across the Appalachian region.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) released the following statement Tuesday regarding the fatal ICE shooting that took place Monday in Biddeford, Maine. 

“This morning, I spoke with DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. He confirmed that the independent DHS Office of the Inspector General and the FBI are investigating the fatal shooting in Biddeford yesterday. The Maine Attorney General’s Office is also investigating. That’s a good thing. As with any deadly use of force by law enforcement, what we need now is thorough, independent investigation that establishes the facts necessary for accountability. 

“Unfortunately, the ICE officers involved in this incident were not yet wearing body cameras, which could have helped to establish those necessary facts. I supported body camera adoption for ICE earlier this year and Congress approved funding for this technology in April to increase transparency and accountability, but deployment has been slow. DHS needs to make this a priority.

“Mainers are understandably scared and shocked by this painful loss of life. My heart goes out to all those who are hurting, and I urge Mainers to take care of one another and stay safe.”

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