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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to address several retirement issues for several categories of workers who used to be under the District of Columbia retirement system. First, the service of some employees from 1987-1997 who participated in D.C.’s defined contribution plan and were transferred to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) had those 10 years of service not fully counted for their annuity. The bill would allow those employees to buy into the FERS annuity amount from those 10 years, which would give them the full retirement benefit to which they should be entitled.

“D.C.’s dedicated civil servants, including teachers, police, firefighters and judges, should receive the full federal pension benefits they earned,” Norton said. “These workers should have all of their service recognized and counted in determining the annuity they receive.”

The bill also addresses two benefit issues for employees in the teachers, police officers, and firefighters pension plans, whose pre-1997 benefits are funded by the federal government.  First, the bill would recognize domestic partner benefits for pre-1997 benefits, like D.C. enacted for benefits post-1997. Second, the bill would change the age at which a surviving spouse may remarry without losing survivor benefits to bring them in line with both the post-1997 benefits and the retirement benefits for most federal employees, and also make the analogous change for D.C. judges, whose retirement benefits are funded by the federal government.

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 Technical Corrections Act of 2026

July 13, 2026

Today, I introduce the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 Technical Corrections Act of 2026, which would address several retirement issues for current and former District of Columbia employees that resulted from the National Capital Revitalization and Self-Government Improvement Act of 1997 (Revitalization Act). The Revitalization Act, among other things, transferred several categories of employees who were in the D.C. retirement system to the federal retirement system and transferred responsibility from D.C. to the federal government for funding pension benefits earned by D.C. teachers, police officers, firefighters and judges before 1997.

First, the Revitalization Act transferred several categories of employees, primarily related to D.C.’s criminal justice system, who participated in D.C.’s defined contribution plan from 1987 to 1997 to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS).  However, these employees’ service from 1987 to 1997 was not counted for purposes of creditable service or annuity amount in FERS.  In 2009, Congress passed legislation counting this service for creditable service, but not annuity amount.  This bill would allow these employees to buy into the FERS annuity amount for 1987 to 1997 by paying 1.3 percent of their base pay plus interest, essentially the employee contribution for this time, which would give them the full retirement benefit to which they should be entitled.

Second, this bill would address two benefit issues for employees in the D.C. teachers, police officers and firefighters pension plans, whose pre-1997 benefits are funded by the federal government.  In 2018, D.C. enacted a law to provide domestic partner benefits for the police and firefighters pension plan, which mirrored a law already enacted for teachers.  However, these domestic partner benefits apply only to service accrued after 1997, since the federal government funds pre-1997 benefits.  This bill would make the domestic partner benefits available for pre-1997 benefits, too.

Finally, in 2012, D.C. enacted a law that reduced from 60 to 55 the age after which a surviving spouse can remarry without losing survivor benefits in the D.C. teachers, police and firefighters pension plans.  However, these benefits apply only to service accrued after 1997, since the federal government funds pre-1997 benefits.  This bill would bring those pre-1997 benefits in line with both the post-1997 benefits and the retirement benefits for federal employees in the Civil Service Retirement System and FERS and make an analogous change for D.C. judges, whose retirement benefits are funded by the federal government.  In general, for federal retirees, 55 is the age after which a surviving spouse can remarry without losing survivor benefits.

This bill would give these workers the retirement benefits they deserve.  I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08)

LEAVENWORTH, WA – On Friday, Congresswoman Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08) joined local leaders, emergency responders, outdoor enthusiasts, and volunteers to discuss the impacts of the Trump Administration’s cuts to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) on the Enchantments Wilderness Area. 

Congresswoman Schrier was joined by Chelan County Commissioner Kevin Overbay, Leavenworth Mayor Carl Florea, Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce Director Troy Campbell, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Sergeant Jason Reinfeld, Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Specialist Rich Magnussen, Retired Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Wilderness Program Manager Suzanne Cable, and TREAD Executive Director Mat Lyons, among other local leaders and advocates. 

BACKGROUND: The Trump Administration’s Forest Service cuts forced the Wenatchee River Ranger District, which staffs the Enchantments, down to just one employee from 11 in 2025. Insufficient staffing has led to diminished capacity to serve visitors, inadequate land management, and overflowing toilets that threaten Icicle Creek: Leavenworth’s drinking water source. 

The administration recently proposed an additional 25% cut to USFS research, and is carrying out a complete reorganization of the agency as wildfire season begins. 

Congresswoman Schrier has urged the Trump Administration to remedy these deteriorating conditions and pressed the administration to address poor Forest Service trail conditions and insufficient staffing in the Enchantments.

“The Enchantments are a beloved part of the Eighth District, and it is our duty to protect the area for future generations,” said Congresswoman Schrier. “Due to the Trump Administration’s erratic staffing cuts and reorganization of the Forest Service, and also due to overcrowding, conditions at the Enchantments have deteriorated and even become unsafe – poorly maintained public lands and overflowing toilets have threatened public health and the environment. As wildfires blaze across our state, the failure to properly manage these lands poses a severe threat to the safety of our communities and health of our forests. I was grateful to speak with local leaders and advocates to better understand the impacts they are seeing on the ground, and ways we can advocate to restore healthy conditions. I want to be clear that however incredible these volunteers are, they cannot be expected to backfill the responsibilities of the Forest Service. I will continue to do all I can in Congress to protect the Enchantments Wilderness Area, and fight back against devastating Forest Service cuts.”

“We have demonstrated here at this roundtable discussion broad community support for taking action. We have local elected officials, law enforcement, business owners, and recreation and conservation organizations that are all united in asking the Forest Service to manage day use in the Enchantments to improve conditions not only to benefit the wilderness, but also to benefit the local community and visitors to the area that are important to this rural economy,” said retired Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest Wilderness Program Manager Suzanne Cable. 

“The Chelan County Sheriff’s Office is responsible for search and rescue in the Enchantments, which is why it is so important this area is protected. I was grateful to join Congresswoman Schrier and local leaders to talk about how best to improve conditions in the area. The public should be aware that many hikes in the Enchantments area, including Colchuck Lake, are not for beginners. Hikers: Please research the route, bring proper clothing and equipment, and don’t exceed your physical capabilities,” said Chelan County Sheriff’s Office Emergency Management Sergeant Jason Reinfeld.

“The Enchantments are one of Chelan County’s greatest natural treasures, and protecting both visitors and this unique wilderness requires strong partnerships,” said Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison. “This collaborative effort enhances public safety, helps preserve our natural resources, and supports the Sheriff’s Office as we balance the growing demands of backcountry rescues and law enforcement while continuing to serve the day-to-day needs of our communities.”

“No single organization or agency can protect the Enchantments alone. Lasting solutions require strong partnerships, especially as the Forest Service faces extreme capacity and funding challenges. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Schrier for bringing local leaders together to strengthen our shared commitment to protecting one of Washington’s most iconic landscapes,” said TREAD Executive Director Mat Lyons.  

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

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | CONTACT: Olivia Porcaro 202-225-6165

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Tom Cole (OK-04) released the following statement after the passing of Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina:

“There are few corners of Capitol Hill where South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham wasn’t known. Whether you knew him personally or simply watched him at work, he was impossible to ignore.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum issued the following statement on Sunday following the death of U.S. Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina: 

“I offer my sincere condolences to Senator Graham’s family, his colleagues, and his many friends. Though Senator Graham and I sat on different sides of the aisle, we found common ground in our shared commitment to our Ukrainian allies and their fight to defend their sovereignty against Russian aggression. As a House co-chair of the International Conservation Caucus, Senator Graham and I worked together in partnership with villages and governments across Africa to protect unique and threatened places both today and for future generations.”

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

I am shocked to learn of the sudden passing of Senator Lindsey Graham. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and loved ones. May he Rest in Peace after his long career of service to the people of South Carolina.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Pago Pago – Joined by students from the Tafuna High School Summer Bridge program, Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata read the Declaration of Independence as part of the nationwide ‘Sharing the Spirit of America’ project initiated by the Hawai’i America 250 Commission. The American Samoa America 250 Commission organized the local reading with support from the American Samoa Historic Preservation Office, the American Samoa Visitors Bureau, and the American Samoa Cultural Heritage Collective, Inc., while at least 1,098 locations around the world participated. The reading was included as a special stop for the Tafuna High School Summer Bridge program during their scheduled Fagatogo Historic District Walking Tour. 

Reading the Declaration of Independence with Tafuna students

Historically, the public reading is a recognition of the first public reading, July 8, 1776, when Americans began hearing the news. Colonel John Nixon read the Declaration of Independence publicly for the first time at Noon in the State House Yard in Philadelphia, now Independence Square, to a crowd summoned by the ringing of the Liberty Bell. 

The Commission selected Congresswoman Amata for the reading since she is a Member of the bipartisan Congressional America 250 Caucus, and because of the historic ties between the Declaration and Congress. The Declaration of Independence was passed by the delegates to the Second Continental Congress, forerunners of the U.S. Congress. 

Tafuna Summer Bridge students

“Thank you to the Commission for inviting me, and thank you to our students for their attention and participation in honor of one of the most important documents and watershed moments in history,” said Congresswoman Amata. “We are blessed to be part of the United States, connected to these 250 years of history, and part of an ongoing national legacy of defending freedom.”

The full Declaration is 1,320 words long, with famous sections, but the forefathers reasoning is explained in a center section that is not as widely quoted. Signed by 56 delegates to the Congress, the bold “John Hancock” signature, President of the Congress, became famous in its own right. Thomas Jefferson is the main author, while a Committee including John Adams and Benjamin Franklin advised and edited. The motion for independence in the Congress was made by Richard Henry Lee of Virginia, seconded by John Adams of Massachusetts. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

Today, Rep. French Hill (AR-02), Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, held a press conference to celebrate his bill, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act, becoming law. The bipartisan, bicameral bill is the first major housing legislation in decades. It cuts red tape, increases housing supply, and makes homeownership more attainable for families across Arkansas and the nation. The bill passed the Senate 85-14 and the House 358-32.

Rep Hill said, “When I first ran for Congress, I set out to author and pass legislation that improves the lives of central Arkansans and prove that Washington could still work for the American people. Having this historic housing bill become law today is the realization of those goals, that by working together, debating in good faith, and putting the interests of Americans ahead of politics, good policy can become law.

“This legislation strengthens community banks, modernizes building codes, and cuts red tape. More houses will be built, more families will enter the market, and homes across the country will be more affordable. The bill also delivers on one of the President’s goals by restricting institutional investors from outcompeting American families for homes. After years of work and months of negotiations with the Senate, this bicameral, bipartisan bill is a win for families from Arkansas to every corner of this country, and I am pleased to have successfully collaborated on this priority with the Financial Services Ranking Member Maxine Waters (D-CA).”

Working in partnership with Chairman Tim Scott (R-SC), the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes more than 45 provisions to reduce unnecessary regulatory barriers to new home construction and modernize HUD programs, nine community banking bills to expand local lending for housing construction and mortgages, and measures to prevent large institutional investors from unfairly competing with individual homebuyers for homes.

Community banks are the backbone of Arkansas’s economy, and the bill provides targeted relief to strengthen their ability to lend in local housing markets. The legislation also modernizes building codes, makes local zoning rules more competitive, and increases congressional oversight of HUD. This gives Arkansas communities greater flexibility to address their own housing needs.

Click here to watch the press conference.
Click here for the text of the bill.
Click here for a one-pager.
Click here for a section-by-section.

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