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

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) were joined by Reps. James Moylan (R-GU) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), and Senators Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tim Sheehy (R-MN), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Richard Shelby (R-AL) in introducing the bipartisan, bicameral, Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act. This bill would strengthen protections for over 700,000 servicemembers and their families across the country living in privatized military housing.

An estimated 700,000 servicemembers and their families are affected by hazardous conditions in military-provided housing, including prolonged mold exposure, which is associated with elevated risks of respiratory illnesses, neurological symptoms, developmental delays in children, and other severe health effects. The MOLD Act addresses these conditions by setting enforceable health and safety standards, mandating independent inspections, and requiring transparency in reporting habitability issues such as water damage, humidity, and mold.

“In their service, our military members and their families sacrifice a great deal.  The last thing they should have to deal with is shoddy conditions, including mold, in their military housing,” said Rep. Panetta. “The MOLD Act will help ensure that privatized military housing is up to standard with frequent inspections, proper repairs and renditions, and better response times by landlords. This legislation is our way to ensure that military readiness starts at home.”

“This measure will help ensure that military families are protected from housing that endangers their health. They deserve the gold standard, nothing less,” said Sen. Blumenthal. “The MOLD Act will require strict health and safety standards, independent inspections, and financial accountability for contractors. This bipartisan, bicameral reform deserves quick passage so servicemembers and their families have a safe place to call home.”

“Our servicemembers and their families should never have to choose between serving their country and living in safe, healthy homes,” said Rep. Bilirakis. “Military families at MacDill and across the country have faced unsafe housing conditions, including mold and other hazards, with too little accountability. This legislation addresses those failures by setting enforceable health and safety standards, requiring independent inspections, and increasing transparency. It’s about accountability, dignity, and keeping our promise to military families-no one who serves our nation should be forced to worry about their family living in unhealthy conditions.”

“For too long, military families have been forced to live with mold, moisture, and unresolved health hazards in housing they were promised would be safe,” said Rep. Moylan. “The MOLD Act finally establishes enforceable standards, independent inspections, and real accountability for contractors who fail our servicemembers. Living in a Pacific region where extreme weather and humidity are a constant reality, I know these risks cannot be ignored. I’m proud to work with Congressman Jimmy Panetta to ensure military families, whether in Guam or across the mainland—have strong protections, clear reporting tools, and a Department of Defense that is fully accountable to the people it serves.”

“After volunteering to serve our great nation, America’s military deserves the best — from equipment on the battlefield to housing here at home,” said Sen. Sheehy. “As a veteran who is married to a veteran, it’s an honor to serve our community each day in the Senate. I’m proud to lead this critical piece of legislation to bring accountability to the process of ensuring our men and women in uniform and their families have housing conditions and can focus on securing America’s future.”

“For too long, thousands of military families residing in privatized military housing have suffered the consequences of unsafe and unsanitary living conditions,” said Sen. Hirono. “From widespread mold to rat infestations, these atrocious living environments have caused severe health concerns for our military families and have forced them to bear the financial burden of repairs. Ensuring servicemembers and their families have safe and habitable housing is not just our responsibility, but critical for military readiness and morale. I am proud to introduce the MOLD Act to hold housing contractors accountable for addressing these issues and to better protect our military families.”

The MOLD Act addresses these concerns by:

• Requiring the Pentagon to issue humidity and ventilation standards within 1 year, and releasing test results to tenants within 10 days.
• Requiring inspections at move-in and move-out dates, after complaints, and after repairs. Inspections must be by certified third-party professionals. Failed units must be remediated or tenants relocated within 30 days.
• Establishing a complaint hotline for 24/7 reporting, and requiring a landlord response within 5 business days.

The MOLD Act is endorsed by Change the Air Foundation, Blue Star Families, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), Safe Military Housing Initiative, Military Housing Coalition, National Military Families Association, Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC), and the National Organization of Remediators and Microbial Inspectors (NORMI).

“This is a historic moment for military families. Thanks to Senator Blumenthal and the other Congressional sponsors, the bipartisan Military Occupancy Living Defense (MOLD) Act is an immediate response to a crisis that in this generation has simultaneously harmed military families’ health, degraded mission readiness, and weakened the future force. For too long, unsafe housing conditions, particularly mold and water damage, have gone unaddressed, leaving families unprotected due to a lack of transparency and accountability. The MOLD Act finally treats unsafe housing as the serious public health and military readiness issue it is. Change the Air Foundation is proud to support this legislation because it puts military families first, strengthens military readiness, and affirms that no one who serves our country should be asked to sacrifice their health or their family’s well-being because of where they live,” said Brandon Chappo, Director of Public Policy, Change the Air Foundation.

“Military families deserve safe, healthy homes — period. Blue Star Families supports the MOLD Act, a bipartisan effort to protect service members and their families from mold and unsafe conditions in privatized military housing. By establishing mandatory standards, independent inspections, and contractor accountability, this legislation takes an important step toward ensuring safe living environments. This isn’t just a housing or quality-of-life issue — it’s a readiness issue and a basic obligation to our nation’s military service members and their families,” said Kathy Roth-Douquet, CEO of Blue Star Families.

“Accountability is essential when neglect and inadequate maintenance result in hazardous military housing conditions. Service members and their families should not have to sacrifice their health or well-being due to substandard housing,” said MOAA President & CEO Lt. Gen. Brian T. Kelly, USAF (Ret).

“A safe home is a matter of basic human decency. But too many military families are living with mold and other hazards that threaten their health, often with no real recourse. The MOLD Act establishes clear standards and accountability so families can count on safe, healthy homes. We’re grateful to Senators Blumenthal and Sheehy and Representatives Wittman and Panetta for standing up for military families,” said Besa Pinchotti, CEO, National Military Family Association.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Today, U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced new federal funding for projects across Ventura County. The funding was recently approved by Congress and signed into law through the Fiscal Year 2026 government funding bill. The bill includes investments for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Unidentified and Missing Persons Forensic Genetic Genealogy Testing Initiative and dredging of the Ventura Harbor.

The funding package includes a $700,000 grant for the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office Unidentified and Missing Persons Forensic Genetic Genealogy Testing Initiative. The funding will be used to investigate a backlog of unidentified human remains cases in the county.

“We’ve already seen very positive results from this initiative,” said Rep. Carbajal. “In just one quarter in 2024, the Sheriff’s Department and Medical Examiner’s Office used this genetic testing initiative to successfully identify and reunite four Central Coast families with the remains of their loved ones. These reunifications are only the beginning, and it’s critical we deliver the resources needed to bring closure to every family still waiting for answers.”

The funding bill also includes $5,980,000 in grants for the crucial annual dredging of the Ventura Harbor. 

“It would be difficult to overstate the importance of the annual dredging project for the economic strength of Ventura County. The project not only ensures successful maritime navigation but is foundational to maintaining the vitality of commercial fishing, local tourism, recreational boating, and waterfront businesses,” said Rep Carbajal.

In the spring of 2025, Carbajal began to push for funding these projects through formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (D-NC-12) released a statement calling for an end to federal overreach in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti by a Customs and Border Patrol agent. 

“The killing of Alex Pretti at the hands of federal law enforcement should shock every American. This ongoing assault and terrorizing of the American people must stop now.

I am calling on President Trump, Secretary Noem to immediately put an end to their reckless actions that are causing such great harm to communities in Minnesota and all across the country. Right here in Charlotte, we have seen the random targeting of American citizens and non-citizens alike by their own federal government. It is not right and we must speak up and speak out until it ends.

We must do better and I want to hear my Republican colleagues call for an end to this madness. Imagine if Alex or Renee Good were a member of your family, think of the outrage you would feel to know that your government could do this to you. We can and must do better.”

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is helping launch the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, a group of lawmakers dedicated to finding legislative solutions to the ongoing energy affordability crisis. The caucus will convene House Members around oversight strategies and tools to hold utility providers accountable for rate hikes.

“Families, working people, and seniors are being slammed by high utility prices, and they need relief and action. I’ve heard directly from Granite Staters who are worried about affording heat in the winter, spending as much on energy as they do on their mortgage, and juggling the cost of food and utilities,” said Rep. Chris Pappas. “Congress needs to step up, take on corporations raking in record profits, and deliver solutions that lower people’s bills and put more money back in their pockets.”

The other lawmakers in the caucus include Reps. Josh Riley (NY-19), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Laura Gillen (NY-04), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), John Mannion (NY-22), Mike Levin (CA-49), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Pat Ryan (NY-18), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Ami Bera (CA-06), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Seth Magaziner (RI-02).

Background: 

Pappas is a fierce advocate for efforts that lower energy costs for Granite Staters and programs that help low-income families pay their bills. He has repeatedly called on both Democratic and Republican administrations to stop the export of oil to foreign adversaries and protect and strengthen the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), including successfully pressing the Department of Health and Human Services to take all necessary steps to ensure that LIHEAP funds were distributed to the states by November 30, 2025. He has also previously introduced, cosponsored, or called for the passage of the following legislation: his bipartisan Energy Burden Tax Credit Act, his bipartisan Transmission Facilitation Program Reauthorization, his Heroes Home Energy Savings Act, his bipartisan Bolstering Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve Act, the bipartisan Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act, the Energy Independence and Affordability Act, the bipartisan Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act of 2025.

In 2025 Pappas led 90 of his Congressional colleagues in calling for the protection of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the rehiring of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) staff who manage the LIHEAP program that were fired, and he supports the bipartisan LIHEAP Staffing Support Act, which would set a minimum staffing level within HHS to administer LIHEAP. In the House-passed HHS appropriations funding package, Pappas helped secure language requiring HHS to report to Congress on their current staffing levels to ensure LIHEAP is properly staffed.

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

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Congresswomen Susie Lee (NV-03) and Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08) and over 20 of their colleagues in a letter calling for an immediate, impartial, and transparent investigation into the tragic shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota. 

In their letter, the Members wrote, “The widely circulated footage of Ms. Good’s killing is deeply troubling. Her family and the American public deserve clear answers and accountability. Law enforcement officers are routinely entrusted with making split-second decisions under challenging conditions. That trust depends on sound judgment, appropriate deployment, and accountability when standards are not met. When the government’s duty to protect life and uphold the rule of law is in question, we must have rigorous oversight to understand what went wrong, ensure accountability, and prevent future tragedies, making an immediate, unbiased investigation is essential.” 

The Members also requested Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem and Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons respond to the following questions:

1. Please provide a full accounting of personnel and resources diverted to ICE operations since January 20, 2025, and any assessments of the resulting impacts on counter-terrorism, child sex trafficking, drug trafficking, disaster response, public safety, and other federal law enforcement missions.
2. In light of Ms. Good’s tragic death, what steps is the Department of Homeland Security taking to ensure transparency, accountability, and oversight of ICE operations moving forward?
3. What training standards and requirements govern ICE officers, including initial training, continuing education, and instruction on use of force and de-escalation?
4. How does ICE ensure consistent adherence to use-of-force policies, and what accountability mechanisms are triggered following a serious injury or fatal incident?
5. How many ICE personnel are currently assigned to or deployed within each undersigned Member’s congressional district?
6. How many individuals are currently in ICE custody from each undersigned Member’s congressional district?

The full text of the letter is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

AURORA — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, is calling for the resignation of U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following another fatal shooting and killing of an American citizen in Minnesota.

Crow spoke directly about Alex Pretti’s murder over the weekend, linked here.

In a statement with fellow veteran Members of Congress, Crow said:

“As veterans, we are outraged and horrified by the killing of a second civilian in Minneapolis by federal agents in less than three weeks. Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37-year-old American citizen Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse at a VA hospital. Video footage and eyewitness accounts of this incident are deeply disturbing and raise serious questions about the use of force.

“This tragic killing comes on the heels of the fatal shooting of Renée Good earlier this month, and multiple other documented incidents of civil-rights abuses and excessive enforcement by ICE and CBP in Minnesota – demonstrating a pattern of misconduct that has fractured trust and terrified communities.

“In the military, when preventable deaths occur, leaders stand down operations to review/change policies, reassess missions, retrain personnel, and implement stronger safety protocols. The Department of Homeland Security must do no less. Our communities are less safe, and tensions have reached a boiling point.

“For these reasons, we call for an immediate stand-down of ICE and CBP interior enforcement operations and demand the resignation of the Secretary of Homeland Security. Current leadership has failed to protect civil liberties, ensure accountability, or maintain the public trust.

“We also demand full, transparent, independent investigations into these deaths and abuses, and decisive steps to prevent further civilian killings at the hands of federal agents.”

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, delivered the following opening statement at today’s Health Subcommittee hearing with top health executives examining health insurance affordability.

Chairman Guthrie’s opening statement as prepared for delivery:

Thank you, Chairman Griffith. And thank you to our panel of CEO witnesses for being here today. 

Today’s hearing will the first in a series of hearings focused on health care affordability, and we begin by hearing testimony from our nation’s top health insurance CEOs.  

According to CMS, America spent $5.3 trillion dollars on health care in 2024. That represents a staggering 18 percent of our country’s gross domestic product.  
Over 200 million people in the U.S. get their health insurance through the private marketplace. Of that total, around 178 million people receive coverage through their employer, and 24 million get their coverage through Obamacare.  

Across these markets, health care costs have been increasing at an unprecedented rate. In the Obamacare markets, health care premium increases for 2026 were as high as 40 and 50 percent in some cases. In the employer marketplace, year-over-year cost increases for 2026 are at a 15-year high. 

Despite what my Democratic friends would have the American people believe, health care affordability is far from a one-market issue. It also isn’t a new issue–this committee has previously worked in a bipartisan way to pass major reforms across the health care sector to make health care more affordable for all Americans. I hope we can rise above the politics and have a real discussion about the root causes of affordability and how we can help ALL Americans have access to more affordable care. 

And that is why we have convened this panel of CEOs today, who can speak authoritatively on the market forces affecting affordability.

The goal of this hearing is to have a conversation about these rising health care costs, and your companies sit at the center of our health care financing system. Nearly every dollar spent on health care in America runs through your companies or one of your competitors. And we as a country are spending a lot on health care.

A core component of your industry’s value proposition is working on behalf of Americans to lower the cost of health care, along with improving access and quality. Yet, health care costs are increasing every year, and more and more Americans have become frustrated by the feeling that their insurance is working against their health, not for it.

I want to be clear in what we expect to hear answers on today:

– As some of the largest companies in our economy and amongst the companies that benefit the most from government subsidies, how do you justify the continued skyrocketing of health care costs for your beneficiaries?

– What are you doing that is working to lower health care costs, what isn’t working, and what are the barriers?

– What should insurance companies be doing better to live up to your promises to the American people?

I thank the witnesses for their participation and look forward to discussing these issues with you all today. I yield back.

Additional information about today’s hearing can be found here. 

Chairman Guthrie’s five minutes of questioning can be found here. 

Additional highlights from today’s hearing provided by the House Committee on Energy and Commerce can be found here. 

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today welcomed that more than $3 million in community project funding for law enforcement programs in Tennessee’s 9^th Congressional District has been signed in to law. 

The Memphis Police Department will receive technical upgrades, the Shelby District Attorney’s Office, in partnership with the YWCA Greater Memphis Domestic Violence Shelter/Safe Space, will receive victim-witness program support, and the City of Memphis will receive funding for its youth violence prevention program with each receiving $1,031,000, totaling $3,093,000, through requests Congressman Cohen made in the annual appropriations process.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Deterring crime and assisting crime victims is critically important, so I am pleased that my community project funding requests through the annual appropriations process made it through both the House and Senate and have now been signed into law. This money for our community will improve public safety and potentially save lives.”

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