MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and William R. Keating, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Europe, today introduced the “End Russian Oil Windfalls Act” to curtail Russia’s ability to exploit the global rise in energy costs to fund its war against Ukraine.

A PDF of the bill can be found here.

“The Trump Administration’s war of choice in the Middle East has caused prices at the gas pump for everyday Americans to skyrocket. To offset this reckless decision, Trump issued licenses that gave Putin a free pass to take advantage of the global rise in energy costs and fill Russia’s coffers for its illegal war against Ukraine — all while Russia helped Iran target and kill American service members in the Middle East. We’re introducing this bill to end the existing licenses, prevent them from being issued in the future, and starve Russia of the oil revenues it so desperately needs,” wrote the lawmakers.

The “End Russian Oil Windfalls Act” would:

• Terminate Russia-related General Licenses for the sale of Russian oil issued by the Department of the Treasury
• Prohibit the issuance of such licenses in the future
• Impose sanctions on Russian oil companies
• Require reports on Russian oil revenues and on the involvement by Russian energy companies in the abduction, deportation, or indoctrination of Ukrainian civilians, including children 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today issued a statement on ongoing strikes in Lebanon:

“While I welcome the ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran, I am deeply concerned by the continued violence in Lebanon, where Israel’s attacks have resulted in more than 1,500 people killed, over 4,000 wounded, and over 1 million displaced.

“The continued violence risks undermining the fragile ceasefire between the U.S. and Iran. Strikes on civilian infrastructure, health workers, and UN peacekeepers must immediately cease, as should any Israeli incursions beyond the Blue Line.

“At the same time, Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel must cease. Lebanon’s efforts to assert full control over its territory are essential, and must accelerate the disarmament of Hezbollah for long-term stability.

“The United States must support deescalation on all sides and reinforce Lebanon’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. I stand by President Aoun, the Lebanese Armed Forces, and the Lebanese people toward a fully sovereign, independent, and secure Lebanon.” 

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

BURNSVILLE, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Bus Garage in Burnsville. Rep. Craig offered remarks and received the Burnsville Bus Garage Modernization Project Transit Partner Award from MVTA at the event.  

Rep. Craig was joined by Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, Burnsville Chamber President Jennifer Harmening, MVTA Chair Jay Whiting and MVTA Executive Director Luther Wynder. 

In total, Rep Craig has secured more than $7 million in federal funding for the Burnsville Bus Garage renovation, including $2.72 million in 2025 for phase IV of construction and $4.96 million in 2022 to break ground on the project. In 2025, Rep. Craig also secured $8 million from the Department of Transportation’s Low-or-No-Emission Grant Program to support the Bus Garage’s fleet expansion. 

“For Minnesotans, reliable and safe public transportation isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity,” said Rep. Craig. “I was proud to support this project from the beginning and help secure more than $7 million in federal funding for the renovation. Today’s celebration should serve as an important reminder of what we can accomplish when community leaders and officials on the local, state and federal levels come together around a common goal.”   

Rep. Craig has helped secure critical investments for the Burnsville Bus Garage renovation through the Department of Transportation’s Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program, which makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. 

### 

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

BURNSVILLE, MN – Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig joined the ribbon cutting ceremony for the new Minnesota Valley Transit Authority (MVTA) Bus Garage in Burnsville. Rep. Craig offered remarks and received the Burnsville Bus Garage Modernization Project Transit Partner Award from MVTA at the event.  

Rep. Craig was joined by Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz, Burnsville Chamber President Jennifer Harmening, MVTA Chair Jay Whiting and MVTA Executive Director Luther Wynder. 

In total, Rep Craig has secured more than $7 million in federal funding for the Burnsville Bus Garage renovation, including $2.72 million in 2025 for phase IV of construction and $4.96 million in 2022 to break ground on the project. In 2025, Rep. Craig also secured $8 million from the Department of Transportation’s Low-or-No-Emission Grant Program to support the Bus Garage’s fleet expansion. 

“For Minnesotans, reliable and safe public transportation isn’t just a convenience – it’s a necessity,” said Rep. Craig. “I was proud to support this project from the beginning and help secure more than $7 million in federal funding for the renovation. Today’s celebration should serve as an important reminder of what we can accomplish when community leaders and officials on the local, state and federal levels come together around a common goal.”   

Rep. Craig has helped secure critical investments for the Burnsville Bus Garage renovation through the Department of Transportation’s Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grant Program, which makes federal resources available to states and direct recipients to replace, rehabilitate and purchase buses and related equipment and to construct bus-related facilities. 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mark Takano (D-Calif)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

WASHINGTON, DC — On Thursday, Congressmen Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and Derek Tran (CA-45) introduced the Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act, which increases outdated insurance requirements for interstate motor carriers and protects truck crash victims and their loved ones from the financial debt caused by loss of life or lifelong injuries in a catastrophic truck crash. 

The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act proposes two key changes: 

• Increasing the minimum insurance requirement for interstate motor carriers from $750,000 to $5,000,000. This new minimum accurately accounts for inflation and the current cost of medical care and other expenses.

• Indexing the new minimum insurance requirement to inflation. This critical provision ensures that financial protection for crash victims does not erode over time, keeping pace with the rising cost of health care and other expenses.

The $750,000 minimum insurance requirement for interstate motor carriers was first set in 1980.  Not only has the cost of medical care risen dramatically since then, but increases in the weight and size of trucks have also escalated both the number and fatality rate of those crashes. As Congress continues to consider further road safety legislation, motor carriers should at minimum be required to carry insurance that adequately covers victims in the event of a crash.

“It is unacceptable that outdated minimum insurance requirements continue to leave victims without the support they need to cover medical care and losses. The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act would help address this by ensuring trucking companies carry adequate insurance to cover the high costs of the devastating accidents their trucks can cause,” said Congressman García.

“Before I was elected to Congress, I fought for workers standing up to big corporations in the courtroom. Outdated minimum insurance requirements leave workers and their families buried by medical bills and without a steady income. The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act ensures that the trucking industry guarantees full and fair compensation for every worker and family hurt on the job. No family should have to choose between paying their rent and getting the medical treatment they need after a devastating crash,” said Congressman Tran.

Kate Brown is a board member for the Institute for Safer Trucking (IST), a non-profit committed to helping truck crash victims and survivors throughout the country. Her son Graham was severely injured in a truck crash in 2005. The trucking company only had a $750,000 policy. 

“After my son Graham was seriously injured in a truck crash, my family saw firsthand how devastating the financial aftermath can be. Even with support and resources, the medical costs were overwhelming. Reintroducing the Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act is about making sure no family is left to shoulder those costs alone. It’s time our laws reflect the true impact of these crashes and ensure victims receive fair, just compensation,” said Kate Brown. 

John Lannen, Principal and Co-Founder of the IST said, “The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act is a long‑overdue step toward promoting responsibility and ensuring that the true costs of truck crashes are realized. It has been 45 years since it was set, and both inflation and the weight/speed of trucks has significantly changed since then. We need a system that incents stronger oversight and drives meaningful safety improvements across the trucking industry.”

“The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act just makes sense. It is un-American to force truck crash victims to bear the consequences for unsafe motor carriers. As a crash survivor who suffered and continues to suffer from a minimally insured trucking company, I could not be more grateful to Representative García for introducing this bill,” said Anna Guardipee, Chair of Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways & Truck Safety Coalition Board Member. 

 The Fair Compensation for Truck Crash Victims Act is co-sponsored by Reps. Steve Cohen (TN-09), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), and Hank Johnson (GA-04). 

This legislation is endorsed by: Institute for Safer Trucking, American Association for Justice, Truck Safety Coalition, Citizens for Reliable and Safe Highways, Parents Against Tired Truckers, Road Safe America. 
 

###

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

EAGAN, MN – This week, U.S. Representatives Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny K. Davis (IL-07), Gwen Moore (WI-04) Lateefah Simon (CA-12) and Judy Chu (CA-28) delivered a letter signed by 23 House Democrats opposing the Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) rescission of a Biden-era rule aimed at ensuring LGBTQ+ foster youth have access to safe and affirming placements. The members urged Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. to put forth an alternative rule. 

Previous designated placement policy required states to maintain an adequate number of foster placements that support and affirm LGBTQ+ foster youth. Rescinding the rule without a replacement removes key protections ensuring access to safe, appropriate placements. LGBTQ+ youth are overrepresented in foster care and face higher risks of harm, while evidence shows affirming placements significantly improve their mental health and well-being. Eliminating the rule, in conjunction with other actions limiting LGBTQ+-focused services, undermines agencies’ ability to meet legal obligations and puts vulnerable youth at greater risk.  

“This move is the Trump Administration’s latest attack on the LGBTQ+ community,” said Rep. Craig. “Every child deserves a loving, supportive and safe home. The decision to rescind the designated placement rule with no clear alternative puts already-vulnerable LGBTQ+ youth at risk of further harm. HHS needs to propose an alternative rule immediately.”  

“Every child deserves to grow up in a safe, stable, and loving home. Research overwhelmingly shows that LGBTQ+ foster youth have better mental health and well-being outcomes when placed with affirming caregivers,” said Rep. Chu. “That’s why the Trump administration’s recission of the Designated Placement Rule is so harmful. This rule helped ensure that more LGBTQ+ foster youth get placed in supportive, stable, caring environments where they can thrive. This harmful decision puts the most vulnerable youth in our society at even greater risk, all in service to Republicans’ extremist, anti-LGBTQ+ agenda. It’s cruel, indefensible, and we are fighting back.”  

“As someone who started my career working with young women, non-binary, and trans youth who were impacted by the juvenile justice and foster care systems, I believe strongly that all foster youth, including LGBTQ+ foster children, deserve the chance to be placed where they will be safe, affirmed, and supported,” said Rep. Simon, Vice Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “No child should fear for their bodily or mental safety. I am united with Representatives Craig, Chu, Davis, and Moore in our strong opposition of the Trump administration’s rollback of policy that ensured the safety, security, and protection of LGBTQ+ foster youth.” 

“Every child deserves a safe and loving home, no matter how they identify. In fact, federal law requires the federal government to ensure that all children in foster care receive safe and proper care which this rule helped accomplish,” said Rep. Moore. “LGBTQI+ foster youth are particularly vulnerable to failed foster placements due to a caregiver’s hostility towards their sexual orientation or gender identity. The designated placement rule helps ensure these foster youth are placed in supportive, reaffirming environments in an effort to ensure their safety and prosperity. It is cruel to rescind this rule and we are calling on Secretary Kennedy to reverse his decision and support policy that lifts up LGBTQI+ foster youth.” 

“Government has a unique responsibility to ensure that each and every child in foster care finds a loving, affirming family,” said Rep. Davis. “The Designated Placement Rule helps ensure that LGBTQI+ foster youth can join supportive environments where they can flourish.  The Trump Administration’s rescission of this rule prioritizes prejudice at the expense of the safety and well-being of foster youth.  As one who grew up in the segregated south, I understand first-hand the profoundly detrimental effects of discrimination, and I proudly join with my colleagues to fight this injustice.” 

Rep. Craig has spoken out against prior HHS actions against LGBTQ+ youth and has championed legislation to protect LGBTQ+ foster youth since arriving in Congress. 

Earlier this Congress, Rep. Craig helped re-introduce the John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act, which prevents discrimination in America’s adoption and foster care systems. The bill also improves services for LGBTQ+ and religious minority youth by prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and marital status against families and youth in taxpayer-funded child welfare services. 

Representative Craig was the first LGBTQ+ mother and grandmother in Congress and serves as a co-chair of the LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus. She is an original cosponsor of the Equality Act. 

### 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

The Power for the People Act would protect grid reliability while ensuring data centers, not American consumers, pay for power grid expansion

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, today called on Chairman James Comer to immediately convene a public hearing and launch a full Committee investigation into whether senior Trump Administration officials, or those acting on their behalf, may have traded on nonpublic information tied to military operations and national security decisions related to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a letter sent to Chairman Comer, Krishnamoorthi warned that recent reports involving senior officials and prediction market activity tied to anticipated military action raise serious ethics, legal, and national security concerns that demand immediate congressional oversight.

“The ongoing war in Iran has driven significant movements across defense, energy, and related markets and heightened public concern that senior officials with access to nonpublic information regarding military operations and national security decisions could, directly or indirectly, engage in financial activity that appears to benefit from those developments.”

The letter specifically raises concerns regarding reported financial activity involving Secretary Pete Hegseth, Special Envoy Jared Kushner’s failure to file the required public financial disclosure report, and separate reports that individuals with access to protected or nonpublic information may have profited through prediction markets tied to the timing of U.S. strikes on Iran.

“The seriousness of the allegations raises a broader question that extends beyond any single official or department: whether the Trump Administration’s senior leadership, including Cabinet and White House personnel, is subject to robust and consistently enforced ethics safeguards sufficient to prevent officials—or those acting on their behalf—from trading on, or appearing to trade on, nonpublic information related to war, sanctions, energy policy, procurement, or other market-moving government decisions.”

Krishnamoorthi specifically asks Chairman Comer to:

1. Determine whether existing executive branch ethics rules, guidance, and training adequately govern stock trading, prediction market activity, and other financial transactions by senior officials with access to sensitive information related to military operations, national security decisions, sanctions, or other market-moving government actions.

2. Review the public financial disclosure reports, transactional disclosures, and any other available records for relevant senior Trump Administration officials, including Secretary Pete Hegseth and Jared Kushner, to assess whether any financial activity raises actual or apparent conflict-of-interest, insider trading, or ethics concerns.

3. Investigate whether any senior Administration officials, their immediate family members, or individuals acting on their behalf engaged in financial activity involving defense, energy, or related sectors in close proximity to military operations or other sensitive national security decisions.

4. Examine whether agency ethics offices, including at the Department of Defense, were made aware of any such financial activity and, if so, what steps were taken to review, restrict, or mitigate any actual or apparent conflicts of interest.

5. Assess whether additional safeguards, trading restrictions, divestiture requirements, or enhanced disclosure obligations are necessary to ensure that senior officials with access to sensitive war-related information are not able to personally profit from those decisions.

6. Require testimony from Secretary Hegseth, Special Envoy Kushner, and any other relevant officials before the full Committee to address these matters under oath.

The letter is available here.

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

AMSTERDAM, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today announced his selection of 20 community development and improvement projects that he has submitted to the House Committee on Appropriations in an effort to bring federal investment to the Capital Region through the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Community Project Funding process.

“No one knows the needs of our communities better than the people in it; so, it stands to reason that any efforts to improve and address the needs of our Capital Region should be envisioned by our community,” Congressman Tonko said. “The beauty of the Community Project Funding process is that we can unleash the full potential of these locally-developed projects with federal dollars. I’m so grateful to the many applicants who developed these worthy initiatives. You have my pledge to fight tooth and nail to include these 20 projects in our federal budget and bring these dollars home for the benefit of all in our region.”

Project Title: Bridges to Transformation Initiative

Recipient: Trinity Alliance of the Capital Region, Inc.

Amount Requested: $1,059,585

Project Title: Capital Region Translational Research Initiative

Recipient: Albany Medical College

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Project Title: City of Albany Corning Preserve Playground

Recipient: City of Albany

Amount Requested: $900,000

Project Title: City of Amsterdam Department of Public Works Building

Recipient: City of Amsterdam

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Title: City of Cohoes Public Library Update

Recipient: City of Cohoes

Amount Requested: $649,250

Project Title: Critical High Need Medical Equipment for Schenectady County

Recipient: Schenectady County

Amount Requested: $436,522

Project Title: Expanding Access to Rural Healthcare with (Otolaryngologists) ENT Services at St. Mary’s

Recipient: St. Mary’s Healthcare

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Title: Garnsey Park Infrastructure Improvements

Recipient: Town of Clifton Park

Amount Requested: $280,000

Project Title: Guy Park Manor Resiliency Park

Recipient: New York Power Authority (“NYPA”) on behalf of New York State Canal Corporation (“NYSCC”)

Amount Requested  $2,120,000

Project Title: Hoosick Regional Emergency Fly Car

Recipient: Town of Hoosick

Amount Requested: $80,856.52

Project Title: Malta Water District #1 Water Storage and Quality Improvement Project

Recipient: Town of Malta 

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

Project Title: Mobile Laboratory for Monitoring PFAS

Recipient: The Research Foundation for the State University of New York, on behalf of The University at Albany

Amount Requested: $1,329,000

Project Title: North Plant Odor Mitigation Project

Recipient: Albany County

Amount Requested: $1,600,000

Project Title: Office of Violence Prevention

Recipient: City of Albany

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Project Title: Rensselaer Hollow Preserve Trailhead Connection Project

Recipient: City of Rensselaer

Amount Requested: $496,800

Project Title: Route 7 Safety Improvements

Recipient: Town of Niskayuna

Amount Requested: $2,800,000

Project Title: Town Complex Sewer Upgrades

Recipient: Town of Halfmoon

Amount Requested: $564,200

Project Title: Town of Amsterdam Harrower Sewer Extension

Recipient: Town of Amsterdam

Amount Requested  $4,500,000

Project Title: Village of Scotia Water System Project

Recipient: Village of Scotia

Amount Requested: $950,000

Project Title: Watervliet ADA Municipal Building Access Project

Recipient: City of Watervliet

Amount Requested: $913,000