MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids joined local leaders to celebrate 14 newly secured projects across Kansas’ Third District that will strengthen local economies and keep families safe and healthy. These investments, totaling $17.8 million, will fund new manufacturing lab equipment to train students for the jobs of the future, improve flood mitigation infrastructure and maintain safe roads and bridges to keep Kansans safe, help protect our law enforcement, and support other key community needs.

“My job is to advocate for the Third District and make sure our community’s priorities are front and center in Washington,” said Davids. “We worked closely with local leaders and carefully vetted every project to ensure it delivers a strong return on investment for Kansas families. I’ve always pushed for responsible budgeting that protects taxpayers, and these investments do exactly that while making a real difference in our communities.”

Davids was joined by community leaders from all corners of the Third District to celebrate the impact of these projects. The other speakers included Overland Park Police Department Deputy Chief Ryan Miller, Franklin County Commissioner Ianne Dickinson, and K-State Olathe Dean and CEO Ben Wolfe.

Before the press conference, Davids toured the K-State Olathe Advanced Manufacturing and Bulk Solids Technology Center (BSTC) to highlight the $5 million she secured to purchase new equipment that will help train students for high-tech, good-paying jobs in supply chain research and advanced manufacturing. The center supports industry through specialized testing, education, and research on powders and dry bulk materials and is the only university-based facility in North America dedicated to advancing powder and bulk solids handling technology.

“Kansas State University Olathe is honored and thrilled to receive federal funding to invest in education and research supporting the bio and advanced manufacturing industries,” said Ben Wolfe, Dean and CEO, K-State Olathe. “We are deeply grateful for the strong leadership and support of Representative Sharice Davids, Senator Jerry Moran, and others who made this investment possible. This transformational funding will have a lasting impact on the City of Olathe, Johnson County, the State of Kansas, and the broader Midwest. As an innovation campus advancing Kansas State University’s Next Gen Strategic Plan, K-State Olathe is committed to building an ecosystem that helps meet the demand for a highly skilled manufacturing workforce and provides research solutions to industry.”

The Davids-secured Fiscal Year 2026 projects include:

• K-State Olathe Manufacturing Equipment ($5,004,000): To buy lab equipment so students can train for high-tech, good-paying supply chain research and advanced manufacturing jobs as domestic manufacturing grows in Kansas City.
• John Brown Park Infrastructure Refurbishment ($2,250,000): To refurbish the museum and aging infrastructure, allowing space for improved public engagement and historical education opportunities.
  • This was a joint project request with Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS)
• Air Traffic Control Tower (ATCT) at New Century AirCenter (IXD) ($2,000,000): To build a new, safer air traffic control tower, replacing an operationally obsolete tower, making flights safer and more efficient.
• Overland Park Street Signal Replacement and Sidewalk Improvement ($1,300,000): To replace the traffic signal and sidewalk at Metcalf Avenue and I-435 westbound, Metcalf Avenue and I-435 eastbound, and Metcalf Avenue and 110th Street.
• Kansas Avenue Bridge Design and Environmental Clearance Project ($1,200,000): To reconnect the Kansas City region and connect the urban freight corridor crucial to local industrial and manufacturing businesses.
• Bonner Springs Sewage ($1,092,000): To build new sewer lines to prevent overflows and better serve residents and local businesses.
• Overland Park Police Department (OPPD) Body Camera Replacement ($1,031,000): To purchase body cameras and improve video systems to increase safety, transparency, and trust.
• Olathe Sewer Rehabilitation ($884,466): To replace old sewer pipes and manholes to prevent leaks and protect public health.
• Johnson County Building Security Upgrades ($850,000): To modernize building security systems for enhanced safety.
• Spring Hill Intersection Improvements ($850,000): To modernize the intersection of U.S. Highway 169 and 191st Street for improved safety.
• Princeton Stormwater Improvements ($610,680): To improve storm drainage and prevent flooding while supporting economic growth.
• Board of Public Utilities (BPU) Electric Grid System Improvements ($250,000): To construct additional feeders from the Rosedale Substation to the KU Medical Center campus.
• Prairie Village Municipal Complex Improvements ($250,000): To upgrade infrastructure including sidewalks, drainage, and utilities.
• Unified Government Mount Marty Park Refurbishment ($250,000): To upgrade park infrastructure including signage, lighting, and trails. 

Each of the 14 Davids-requested projects was submitted in tandem with local officials and selected for their potential to improve health and safety in the community, bring economic opportunity to the Third District, and tackle climate change. Appropriations requests are subject to strict transparency and accountability rules, which can be found here.

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

Urges military leaders to weigh their consciences in light of clearly unlawful orders to destroy civilian infrastructure

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

Increasing fuel prices and tariffs on products used in snack packaging have impacted Anita’s Mexican Snack Foods

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) visited Anita’s Mexican Foods, a local family-owned manufacturer of tortilla chips, taco shells, and rolled chips, which has faced rising costs and supply chain issues caused by tariffs, the war with Iran and increased operational and equipment prices. As a private-label and co-pack manufacturer, Anita’s is absorbing much of the impact of higher production expenses, putting significant pressure on its business. You can find photos from the visit above and here.
“For decades, Anita’s has sold and distributed their products to grocery stores and restaurants throughout California and beyond,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “But now, rising costs from tariffs, the ongoing war with Iran and expensive machinery are hitting Anita’s hard. From diesel for delivery trucks, the packaging for tortilla chips, to the ovens used to bake their products, everything is costing more for Anita’s. I’m committed to working to lower prices, improve California’s air quality, roll back reckless tariffs and end the conflict in the Middle East so businesses like Anita’s can thrive.”
“Anita’s Mexican Foods Corp. is currently experiencing notable financial pressure due to ongoing market volatility, particularly the increase in diesel fuel prices driven by global oil market conditions and geopolitical factors,” said Jackie Robles, President, Anita’s Mexican Foods. “These rising fuel costs have led to higher transportation and distribution expenses, which are difficult to absorb and cannot be easily passed on to our customers. We estimate that elevated fuel prices are impacting our business by more than $37,000 per month. While there are indications that prices may moderate over time, the current environment continues to present meaningful challenges for our operations. We remain committed to managing these pressures responsibly; however, sustained cost increases of this nature place a strain on our ability to operate efficiently and maintain competitive pricing.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

GOLDEN GATE, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation, presented $9,000,000 in federal funding to Collier County for the Veterans Community Center, which will support the construction and full buildout of a Veterans Community Center within an existing facility, thereby improving access for the 28,000 veterans that live in Collier County.

The $9 million in federal funding is made possible by Congressman Díaz-Balart’s unwavering advocacy for veterans in Florida’s 26^th District. The new facility will serve the veterans who call Collier County home, offering a centralized hub for resources, programming, and community engagement tailored to the needs of those who have served. It will provide a dedicated space where veterans and their families can access services, connect with fellow service members, and find the support they have earned through their sacrifice and service.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart said, “I am deeply honored to represent key parts of Collier County, the most veteran-friendly county in Florida, and proud to be consistently delivering for the district I have the privilege of representing by securing federal funds that reflect our values, including strong support for the brave men and women in the U.S. Armed Forces and our veterans. 

“Leadership matters, and I am so grateful to Commissioner Burt Saunders, Dr. JB Holmes, current VFW Post Commander Michael Ricci, and former VFW Post Commander Tony “Gamal” Reyes for their tireless work on behalf of our veterans. This Veterans Community Center is possible in large part because of their unwavering dedication and advocacy for those who have served our country.”

Collier County Commissioner Burt Saunders said, “This funding marks a significant milestone in our shared mission to provide veterans and active-duty service members with the essential services they have earned, all under one roof,” said Commissioner Burt Saunders. 

“This project would not be possible without Congressman Diaz-Balart’s steadfast advocacy and dedication to our veteran community.”

Background

This project received funding through the Senate Amendment to H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act 2026, which was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on February 3, 2026.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida’s 26th Congressional District and serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and has been a leading advocate for the veteran communities.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

LONG BRANCH, NJ – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) convened a virtual roundtable today with leading reproductive health advocates to respond to the Trump administration’s probe of New Jersey’s 2022 law requiring health insurers to cover abortion care.

As Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Pallone emphasized that Trump administration’s actions represent a broader effort to use federal power to interfere with states that have taken steps to protect women’s reproductive rights.

“This is part of a coordinated effort by Donald Trump to restrict abortion access nationwide after Roe v. Wade was overturned,” said Pallone. “Republicans couldn’t get a national ban through Congress, so now they are dusting off obscure provisions to pressure states like New Jersey. Make no mistake: this is about right-wing politicians deciding they know better than women and their doctors. New Jersey made a clear choice to protect access, and now Trump is trying to override it.”

The investigation launched by Trump’s U.S. Department of Health and Human Services targets 13 states and invokes the Weldon Amendment, which the Trump administration claims allows insurers to object to abortion care services. Reproductive health experts and advocates have warned the probe is an attempt to undermine state laws that expanded access to care after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Participants in today’s discussion included Jenifer Groves of the NJ Family Planning League, Jill Lazare of NOW-NJ, Sarah Best of Planned Parenthood Action Fund of New Jersey, and Katie O’Connor of the National Women’s Law Center, who all outlined the consequences of the Trump administration’s actions for patients across New Jersey.

“We’re in a fight for survival — not just for Planned Parenthood health centers, but for everyone’s ability to get high-quality, affordable health care, no matter how much money they make or who they are. We are grateful to have advocates like Congressman Pallone to sound the alarm and fight back against the attacks to reproductive freedom,” Sarah Best Legislative and Policy Director Planned Parenthood Action Fund of NJ.

“The New Jersey Family Planning League stands firmly with Governor Mikie Sherrill and her unwavering commitment to defending New Jerseyans and their right to reproductive freedom from the federal government’s latest strategy in attacking abortion care access. The League believes unequivocally in the fundamental right of every individual to make their own decisions about their body, health and future, free of coercion or interference. We remain dedicated to our mission of supporting access for essential health care services, including abortion care, in New Jersey for all individuals, regardless of identity, income or insurance status,” said Jenifer Groves, President & CEO of NJFPL.

 

“The recently announced HHS investigation into New Jersey’s protection of women’s right to reproductive healthcare is yet another insidious step in this administration’s attack on women.  Their aim is clear: to send women back to the Middle Ages – barefoot and pregnant. They do not believe women have the right to their own autonomy and, as such, seek to leave women without the right to make the choices that are only their’s to make.  Access to an affordable abortion is a crucial, fundamental part of a woman’s healthcare and is their right. This investigation serves only as another step in Trump’s campaign to suppress women in every area of American life and it must fail,” said Jill Lazare President of NOW-NJ.

 

“New Jersey is a state that protects access to affordable abortion care, and now the Trump-Vance administration — which has repeatedly claimed abortion should be ‘left to the states’ — is punishing them for it. By weaponizing the anti-abortion Weldon Amendment, this administration is interfering with state autonomy in an attempt to further its anti-abortion agenda. That’s why we are urging Congress to eliminate the extreme Weldon Amendment and protect pregnant people’s right to access the health care that they need,” Katie O’Connor, Senior Director of federal abortion policy at the National Women’s Law Center.

 

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

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Tuesday morning:

“President Trump’s statement that a ‘whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again’ speaks to genocide. Should the President carry out his threats, he will be committing war crimes on a mass scale. Listening to the President these last few days should make all Americans deeply concerned about his state of mind. The President’s cabinet should take notice. The Speaker of the House must immediately call the House back into session. Congress must stop this President from committing these atrocities.”

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

AMSTERDAM, NY — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) released a statement following the increasingly unhinged threats of violence from President Trump against the people of Iran:

“The President of the United States is publicly threatening to commit genocide.

“This is not hyperbole or wordsmithing, his exact words were “a whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again.”

“I fear for our nation. This is not who we are. For generations, the United States has striven to be that shining city on a hill — advancing values of freedom, democracy, human rights and shared prosperity around the globe. Our greatest generation fought and died in the fields of Europe and across the vast Pacific to stem the tide of fascism and the genocidal dictators it enabled. When confronted with the abysmal horrors of the Holocaust, we vowed with one clear voice “never again.”

“We cannot fall prey to indifference or apathy, believing that the President’s words are mere idle threats. He is the Commander in Chief of the most powerful military the world has ever seen. He has already launched an illegal war of choice against a country that posed no imminent military threat to the United States.

“We must take his words at face value, and when we do, there is only one clear conclusion: this is genocidal talk from an unhinged madman President.

“For love of country, for the freedoms we cherish and for the values we hold dear, the House must immediately reconvene and vote to impeach Donald Trump.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

DORAL, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation, presented a combined $5,250,000 in federal funding to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office.

South Florida is a hub for major global events, from hosting the Shield of the Americas Summit to hosting upcoming events such as the G-20 Summit in Doral, part of Florida’s 26^th District, and Miami serving as one of the U.S. cities hosting the 2026 FIFA World Cup. With increased global attention on the region, it is more important than ever to ensure the safety of residents, visitors, and our brave law enforcement.

Congressman Díaz-Balart said, “I’m proud to deliver $5.25 million to the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office to expand their public safety capabilities and invest in a cutting-edge Mobile Command Center that will be critical during emergencies and major operations. When disaster strikes or a critical incident unfolds, our deputies need to be able to respond with speed, coordination, and the right equipment–this critical funding makes that possible.

I am so thankful to Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz for her leadership, partnership, and unwavering commitment to keeping every corner of Miami-Dade safe.” 

Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz said, “I am grateful to Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart for his continued leadership and unwavering support of public safety in Miami-Dade County. This critical federal funding will allow us to strengthen our capabilities, enhance our readiness, and ensure we are fully prepared to protect our community and the millions of visitors expected for major international events like the G-20 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Investments like these directly support our mission of safety, security, and service, and help us continue building a stronger, safer Miami-Dade!”

Background

These projects received funding through H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on January 23, 2026.

The $4,200,000 funding for the MDSO Global Public Safety and Equipment project will be used to purchase a Unified Command Center, Command Bus, Mobile Field Force Gear, Total Containment Vessel with Hauling Vehicle, Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), Patrol Bicycles with Vehicle Trailers, Cybersecurity equipment and computer CPUs.

The $1,050,000 funding for the MDSO Mobile Operation Command Center project will be used to purchase two District Mobile Operations Centers (MOCs) for MDSO. MOCs serve as a mobile command post for critical incidents, natural disasters, and major events. The MOCs would have technology to serve as a mobile workstation for active scenes and aid units to conduct investigations.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida’s 26th Congressional District and serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and a staunch supporter of law enforcement, with a proven track record of delivering critical funding to enhance public safety and improve quality of life across South Florida.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO) and Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Founders and Co-Chairs of the Protection of Civilians in Conflict Caucus, and Congresswoman Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), the first Democratic Iranian-American Member of Congress, received an unsatisfactory response from the Department of Defense after they demanded answers on the U.S. military strike on a girls elementary school in Iran:

The Members released the following statement:

“This response from the Department of Defense is completely unacceptable.

“Donald Trump started an illegal and reckless war of choice with Iran, and a reported U.S. military strike killed at least 175 civilians at an elementary school, many of them children. One month later, Secretary Hegseth refuses to answer questions from Congress. The American people deserve transparency and accountability.

“We must do more to protect civilians in combat zones, in accordance with U.S. laws, international commitments, and our values of human dignity.”

Crow, Jacobs, and Ansari led 118 Members of Congress in seeking answers on civilian harm during Operation Epic Fury. In their letter, the lawmakers requested detailed information about the strikes on Shajareh Tayyebeh school, the nature of the military targeting, and the steps taken to mitigate and respond to civilian harm.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Doris Matsui (D-CA-07) raised concerns about recent guidance changes from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that could undermine press freedom and free speech. In a letter to FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, Congresswomen Dingell and Matsui warned that the new interpretation of federal guidance could create uncertainty for broadcasters, discourage coverage of candidates, and limit the public’s access to important information to make knowledgeable opinions and choices in the democratic process. 

“This reinterpretation represents a significant departure from nearly a century of statutory history and decades of bipartisan FCC precedent designed to protect editorial judgment and prevent government interference in speech. This action appears to be part of a broader pattern of public statements and regulatory actions by you that distort the power and purpose of the FCC and raises further concerns about the Trump Administration’s use of its authority to influence lawful speech,”the members said. 

“By signaling that a candidate’s broadcast appearance could trigger new political filing obligations and equal time demands, the guidance introduces regulatory uncertainty that could predictably discourage broadcasters from airing lawful, newsworthy content, thereby chilling free speech,” they continued.

Congresswomen Dingell and Matsui are urging the FCC to reverse its guidance and reaffirm its commitment to protecting a free and fair press.

“We urge the FCC to restore clarity and confidence by reversing its guidance and reaffirming that it will not use its authority to intimidate broadcasters or suppress lawful expression. Our democracy depends on a free press that can exercise independent judgment without fear of retaliation from the government,” the members concluded. 

Congresswoman Dingell is a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which oversees policy matters related to the FCC. Congresswoman Matsui is also a member of the committee and is the Ranking Member of its Communications and Technology Subcommittee 

A copy of the letter can be found HERE and text is below:

This letter is regarding the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) recent guidance reinterpreting the equal time rule and its implications for free expression and independent journalism.

This reinterpretation represents a significant departure from nearly a century of statutory history and decades of bipartisan FCC precedent designed to protect editorial judgment and prevent government interference in speech. This action appears to be part of a broader pattern of public statements and regulatory actions by you that distort the power and purpose of the FCC and raises further concerns about the Trump Administration’s use of its authority to influence lawful speech.

As you know, the equal time rule originates from Section 18 of the Radio Act of 1927 and requires broadcasters to provide equal opportunities to legally qualified candidates who request airtime. Recognizing that a rigid application of this requirement would undermine effective election coverage, Congress established multiple exemptions in 1959 to preserve the ability of broadcasters to report on newsworthy events and candidates. Among these, the bona fide news interview exemption has long been understood to protect editorial discretion in news and talk programming. The FCC itself reaffirmed in 2006 that the interview portion of late-night programs fall within the bona fide news interview exemption.

The FCC’s recent guidance appears to abandon this longstanding practice. By signaling that a candidate’s broadcast appearance could trigger new political filing obligations and equal time demands, the guidance introduces regulatory uncertainty that could predictably discourage broadcasters from airing lawful, newsworthy content, thereby chilling free speech. When broadcasters alter programming decisions, avoid discussions, or decline interviews out of fear of regulatory scrutiny, the public is deprived of information and perspectives that are essential to our democracy. This outcome is not inconsequential, and thus it is deeply troubling that you would rather use your authority as Chairman of the FCC to suppress speech instead of protecting it.

The FCC was never intended to function as an arbiter of political content or as a mechanism for influencing editorial decisions. Efforts that leverage the value of broadcast licenses to shape or constrain lawful expression undermine First Amendment protections, erode public trust in independent institutions, and threaten democracy.

We urge the FCC to restore clarity and confidence by reversing its guidance and reaffirming that it will not use its authority to intimidate broadcasters or suppress lawful expression. Our democracy depends on a free press that can exercise independent judgment without fear of retaliation from the government.

As the Members of the committee of jurisdiction over the FCC, we appreciate your attention to this matter.