MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Through the Randolph-Sheppard Program, Rep. Aguilar’s grandfather managed and operated the cafeteria in the historic San Bernardino County Courthouse for years

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) visited the San Bernardino County Courthouse and met with Gloria Blanco, a participant in the Randolph-Sheppard Program for the Blind, to highlight the program’s importance. Enacted in 1936, the Randolph-Sheppard Act created a program to help blind individuals gain employment and economic independence through managing food facilities on federal property, such as vending machines, snack bars and cafeterias. Rep. Aguilar’s grandfather operated the cafeteria at the San Bernardino County Courthouse through the Randolph-Sheppard Program, where Rep. Aguilar worked bussing tables.
A 20-year participant in the Randolph-Sheppard Program managing several successful facilities throughout Southern California, Gloria Blanco credits the program with transforming her life and providing the opportunity to build a successful business while serving her community. You can find photos from the visit above and here.
“The Randolph-Sheppard Program for the Blind has benefited my own family and thousands of other families across the country for decades,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “Beyond employment, this incredible program gives blind entrepreneurs like Gloria freedom, dignity and financial independence to build their lives and businesses. I’m a proud supporter of the Randolph-Sheppard Program, and I’ll keep advocating for it in Congress to ensure it continues to benefit blind individuals for generations to come.”
“For 90 years, the Randolph-Sheppard Act has changed the lives of thousands of blind Americans by replacing dependence with opportunity,” said Max Duarte, Chair, California Vendors Policy Committee (CVPC). “For the past 24 years, this program has allowed me to provide for my family, build a successful business, and give back by advocating for other blind entrepreneurs. I am deeply grateful to the generations of leaders who fought to protect this law, and I hope we continue to strengthen it so future generations have the same opportunity to achieve the American dream.”
In Congress, as a member of the House Committee on Appropriations, Rep. Aguilar is helping ensure Randolph-Sheppard merchants continue to receive technical support when applying for federal grants. 
On the 90th anniversary of the Randolph-Sheppard Act, Rep. Aguilar sent a letter in braille to the National Federation of the Blind honoring the program and affirming his continued advocacy for programs that give every individual, regardless of disability, impairment, or life circumstance, the tools they need to succeed. 

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

 Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata’s DC office enjoyed hosting a group of the FCCLA national scholarship winners and their sponsor on Thursday, when the scholarship group visited the American Samoa office. They shared how their educational opportunity this week was meaningful to them, while getting extra cultural experiences from new friends, such as eating homemade puligi, wearing a sei in their hair, trying a lavalava in the DC midsummer heat, and asking questions about life in American Samoa. 

Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai hosted scholars on behalf of Congresswoman Amata

The students, many from small communities all over the country, including Arkansas, New Mexico, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, said they encourage students in all their home locations, including American Samoa, to take an interest in the educational program – the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America – which gave them an added sense of belonging and accomplishment, while meeting new friends and learning, including about faraway places like American Samoa.

American Samoa’s own Lucas “Hoss” Tafesilafa’i Foster, was one of the scholarship winners, representing the territory, Samoana High School, and his villages of Pago Pago and Futiga. He’s the first from American Samoa, helping open the door to wider participation in FCCLA in the islands. He served as American Samoa’s 2026 Election Voting Delegate, the territory’s flag bearer, and accepted a membership increase award on behalf of American Samoa FCCLA, with his family looking on at the National Leadership Conference for more than 10,000 people at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center this week. 

PICTURED: Lucas and his fellow National Scholarship Awardees, their sponsor Amie White of Texas, Chief of Staff Leafaina Tavai on behalf of Congresswoman Amata, and the rest of the Foster family, Lloyd, Ola, and Lloyd, Jr. Eight of the 12 awardees are pictured: Lucas Tafesilafa’i Foster, Shaylen Shepherd, Tayeanna Bekise, Ayden McNamee, Alivia Johnson, Riya Kumar, Avery Willis, and Calvyn St. Clair.

More Photos here

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) and 24 Democratic colleagues in sending a letter to Home Depot Inc. and Lowe’s Home Improvement’s executive leadership requesting information regarding the growing number of federal immigration enforcement operations occurring at or near Home Depot and Lowe’s store locations nationwide. 

These operations have increased significantly since President Trump took office, particularly after White House Advisor Stephen Miller directed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to target these stores in order to meet detention and deportation quotas. As a result, there have been numerous troubling incidents at or near these locations that have endangered workers, customers, day laborers, vendors, and surrounding communities. These incidents have included the arrests of U.S. citizens, physical altercations, dangerous vehicle pursuits, medical emergencies, injuries, and the detention of individuals attempting to document enforcement activity. 

Some of these incidents have been fatal. In August 2025, Roberto Carlos Montoya Valdez, a 52-year-old laborer, was fatally struck by a vehicle on a nearby freeway after fleeing federal agents during an immigration enforcement operation at a Home Depot in Monrovia, California. In another incident outside of a Home Depot in Los Angeles, federal agents arrested a U.S. citizen, entered the individual’s vehicle, and drove away while the individual’s one-year-old daughter was strapped to the back seat of the car.

The Members wrote:

“While we recognize that your companies do not control federal immigration enforcement operations and may not receive advance notice of such activity, these operations have occurred repeatedly at or near your stores across the country. As Members of Congress, we believe it is important to understand what information your companies possess regarding these incidents and what steps are being taken to protect the safety of workers, customers, bystanders, and surrounding communities.”

“Doing nothing, while there is a human rights crisis happening in your community or at your stores is not an option.  And basic transparency is a modest and critical first step,” said Salvador G. Sarmiento, staff attorney and campaign director at the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON). “Everyone is doing what we can, and we need these stores to show up, and do something.  Because right now, these stores are doing nothing, while their own neighbors and customers are in the cross-hairs.”  

The letter was also signed by Representatives Brad Sherman (D-Calif.), Norma J. Torres (D-Calif.), Lateefah Simon (D-Calif.), Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill), Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.), Nanette Diaz Barragán (D-Calif.), LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.), J. Luis Correa (D-Calif.), Maxine Waters (D-Calif.), Luz M. Rivas (D-Calif.), Juan Vargas (D-Calif.), Raúl Ruiz (D-Calif.), Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.), Gilbert R. Cisneros Jr. (D-Calif.), Jesús G. “Chuy” Garcia (D-Ill.), Yassamin Ansari (D-Ariz.), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Adelita S. Grijalva (D-Ariz.), Jimmy Gomez (D-Calif.), Zoe Lofgren (D-Calif.), and Scott H. Peters (D-Calif.), and is endorsed by the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON).

Read the full letter here.

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Issues: 119th Congress, Immigration

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Wednesday, June 24, on the fourth anniversary of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined all 96 members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) in releasing the Women’s Healthcare Legislative Slate. The second in a series of legislative packages aligned with DWC’s Better Future Agenda, the Women’s Healthcare Slate is a diverse set of bills grounded in one goal: a future where all women and families have affordable, accessible healthcare. 

Several bills drafted by Congresswoman Brownley appear on the Women’s Healthcare Slate, most notably legislation that highlights her career-long dedication to women veterans’ health. 

“Four years after the Dobbs decision, women veterans are still facing political attacks on their reproductive freedom,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “This comprehensive Healthcare Slate would protect and strengthen access to the full spectrum of reproductive health care services for veterans, including contraception, infertility treatment, menopause care, and abortion care. Women veterans deserve access to a full spectrum of reproductive health care services and the freedom to make their own health care decisions in consultation with their doctors, not politicians. As attacks on reproductive rights continue, we must ensure that veterans can access the care, services, and support they have earned through their service to our nation.

The following bills authored by Congresswoman Brownley were included in the DWC Healthcare Slate: 

• H.R. 4876 – Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act: This bill would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents have the right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas, and protected by law. Currently, the Trump administration’s proposed rule would reinstate VA’s near-total abortion ban, including in cases of rape or incest, and if finalized, would strip access to care for veterans across the country, forcing them to either go without essential reproductive health services or seek care outside the VA. 
• H.R. 220 – Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2025: This bill would make infertility care, including assisted reproductive technology like in vitro fertilization, part of the medical services provided by VA to any veteran and/or their partner who needs infertility care to achieve a pregnancy, allow IVF for up to three successful pregnancies or six attempted cycles, and codify a veteran’s ability to use donated gametes and embryos. This bill would codify this expanded eligibility criteria for infertility treatment, preventing the Trump administration from easily rolling back these changes.
• H.R. 211 – Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act: This bill would eliminate the disparities preventing women veterans from accessing basic contraceptive services by eliminating co-payments for contraception covered by VA. While duty service members can receive healthcare, including basic contraception access, without co-pays through TRICARE, women veterans using VA healthcare are currently denied this access. Women veterans should not suffer greater obstacles to accessing basic contraceptive access purely because they rely on VA for healthcare. This bill is a significant step toward ensuring all women have access to comprehensive contraceptive care.
• H.R. 219 – Improving Menopause Care for Veterans Act of 2025: This bill would require the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study and report on the medical services furnished by VA to veterans experiencing perimenopause, genitourinary syndrome of menopause, and menopause stages. The bill would also require the VA to report to Congress on a strategic plan to (1) implement any recommendations GAO makes in its report, (2) improve the quality of menopause care, and (3) improve the access of veterans to menopause care. It is paramount that the women who have served our country can age with the dignity and care they deserve.
• H.J.Res.144 – Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs relating to “Reproductive Health Services”: This joint resolution disapproves of the harmful December 2025 Trump Administration rule that prohibits VA from providing abortion care and services. Trump’s order rescinded a VA reproductive healthcare regulation that provided veterans access to abortion care in instances of rape, incest, and threat to life or health, and that allowed VA providers to discuss abortion with patients who were experiencing unwanted or high-risk pregnancies and pregnancy complications. 

Read the full legislative slate here. 

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Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced Tipton County will receive funding of $125,791 from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to repair roads and embankments damaged in the straight-line winds and tornadoes of April 2025. The figure represents 75 percent of the total of costs incurred.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Tipton County received serious damage in the April 2025 storms that lashed our region. I am pleased to see Tipton County reimbursed for much of the expense it incurred getting roads back in good shape.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Michael McCaul (R-Texas) — founder and co-chair of the Congressional Childhood Cancer Caucus — introduced the Accelerating Innovation (AI) for Kids Act with caucus co-chairs Ami Bera, M.D. (D-Calif.) and Mike Kelly (R-Penn.). The legislation will accelerate the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to improve and transform pediatric cancer research, treatment options, and data storage.

“Since I founded the Childhood Cancer Caucus 17 years ago, advancements in technology have radically expanded the frontiers of healthcare,” said McCaul. “We owe it to our nation’s children to leverage cutting-edge AI to improve their care and treatment options. I’m proud to introduce this bill, which codifies and builds on President Trump’s executive order to unlock cures for pediatric cancer patients. By empowering AI to continuously drive research forward, we move one step closer to beating this heartbreaking disease once and for all.”

“Pediatric cancer remains one of the most heartbreaking diagnoses any family can face, and we have a responsibility to use every tool available to improve outcomes for children,” said Bera. “The bipartisan Accelerating Innovation in Medicine for Kids with Cancer Act would leverage cutting-edge AI and data tools to transform pediatric cancer research, improve clinical trial design and access, and deliver more personalized treatment options for young patients. I am proud to support this effort to accelerate innovation, strengthen the Childhood Kelly Data Initiative, and move us closer to ending cancer as we know it.” 

“Congress should always consider new, initiative ways not only to treat cancer, but to defeat cancer. This legislation would leverage artificial intelligence to strengthen patient care and patient outcomes,” said Kelly.“I’m proud to sponsor the bipartisan Accelerating Innovation in Medicine for Kids with Cancer Act as we work to ensure pediatric cancer patients and their families have every tool at their disposal to receive the care and cures they deserve.”

Click herefor full text of the Accelerating Innovation (AI) for Kids Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

SOUTHERN PINES, NC – Yesterday, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09), Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology, brought Verizon officials to Moore County to see areas with poor cell service and hear directly from Southern Pines Mayor Taylor Clement about the need for better coverage.

 “Too many folks in Moore County have to deal with dropped calls, weak signal, and unreliable cell service,” said Rep. Hudson. “Mayor Taylor Clement reached out to me for help. As Telecom Subcommittee Chairman, I contacted our region’s primary providers to come to our community and see these problems firsthand and work with us to fix them. I appreciate Verizon’s quick response and plans to expand and upgrade services in our community. I look forward to hearing about plans for upgrades from more service providers in our area.”

Hudson and Mayor Clement began the visit at a small cell site in Aberdeen before holding a sit-down conversation with Verizon officials at Casino Guitars on Broad Street in Southern Pines. During the meeting, Hudson and Clement discussed places across the community where residents, businesses, and visitors continue to have trouble getting reliable service, which causes delays or inability to use payment systems in businesses, unreliable access to emergency and food services, and other everyday frustrations for residents. The visit concluded at a cell tower site near Moore County Airport, where Hudson highlighted why better cell service matters for local businesses, public safety, economic growth, and travelers coming through the region. 

Hudson previously met with Verizon officials in December 2025 to push for better service in Moore County and across the Ninth District. Hudson has also worked with Mayor Clement to identify specific problem areas, including neighborhoods, major roads, local businesses, and areas near Moore County Airport.

Hudson looks forward to continuing to work with Verizon and other providers to ensure that the Moore County community has the reliable, high-speed service it needs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — In response to the latest developments with the war in Iran, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens issued the following statement:

“Michiganders didn’t sign up for another endless war. President Trump dragged America into a war of choice with no clear mission, no strategy, and no exit plan. Now his failed ceasefire has put our service members back in harm’s way.

“Here in Michigan, we’re feeling the cost of this war every day: at the gas pump, at the grocery store, and on the factory floor, where higher energy costs and global turmoil are squeezing working families.

“This war must end. That’s why I voted for a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to stop this President and put an end to this war immediately.

“Sending Americans into harm’s way is the most serious decision a president can make, and Donald Trump has repeatedly proved through his reckless judgment that he cannot be trusted with unchecked authority.”

 

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