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

Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and four of his House colleagues are calling on President Trump to take personal action to implement the security and reconstruction pillars of the 20-Point Peace Plan for Gaza. Recent reporting indicates that there are serious obstacles to implementing the plan’s security and reconstruction pillars, including militarily-dismantling Hamas and surging humanitarian aid for Palestinians, making the President’s personal and timely engagement urgent. 

The Members wrote, “The Peace Plan represents the most viable opportunity for necessary security, immediate relief, and long-term stability. The plan rightly recognizes that Hamas must be fully disarmed and play no role in governing Gaza, while calling for a technocratic transitional governing authority. It also prioritizes a surge of humanitarian aid to Palestinians that will be shielded from Hamas; includes a phased withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza based on security conditions; and includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force.”

The Members continued to emphasize that the plan’s humanitarian and reconstruction components must be prioritized, stating “a prosperous and rebuilt Gaza would reduce instability, curbing the drivers of extremism, and promoting shared economic growth across the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, sustained reconstruction reduces humanitarian dependence on international aid, enabling local governance and private enterprise to take root, demonstrating key pillars of long-term security and regional prosperity.”

This letter was co-signed by Congressmen Jared Golden (D-ME), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Jim Costa (D-CA), and Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and was endorsed by the Democratic Majority for Israel. 

“DMFI is proud to support Rep. Panetta’s letter to President Trump urging him to stay relentlessly focused on implementing the 20-point Peace Plan, including the need to completely disarm Hamas and ensure the terrorist organization plays no role in governing Gaza. With the release of the living hostages and the ceasefire in place, we need strong, sustained American leadership to translate this plan into lasting security and stability. We commend Rep. Panetta for his leadership and his clear-eyed commitment to advancing peace and security for Israel and the rest of the region.”

The full text of the letter can be found below and here:

Dear President Trump,

We write to express our appreciation for your work on the 20-point Peace Plan for Gaza and request your continued leadership for its full implementation, with immediate prioritization of its security and reconstructions pillars.  With the release of all living hostages from Gaza and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, the world has witnessed a moment of profound relief and renewed hope.  The United States must take advantage of this moment to implement the plan, ensure Israel’s security, provide relief for innocent Palestinians, and create long-term stability for the region.  Accordingly, we urge you to dedicate the full weight of American diplomacy to ensure that Hamas is disarmed and that Gaza is rebuilt as a foundation for implementing the 20-point Peace Plan. 

The Peace Plan represents the most viable opportunity for necessary security, immediate relief, and long-term stability.  The plan rightly recognizes that Hamas must be fully disarmed and play no role in governing Gaza, while calling for a technocratic transitional governing authority.  It also prioritizes a surge of humanitarian aid to Palestinians that will be shielded from Hamas; includes a phased withdrawal of the IDF from Gaza based on security conditions; and includes the deployment of an International Stabilization Force (ISF). 

The core principles that underpin that Peace Plan, including security for Israel, reducing terrorist strongholds in Gaza, and prosperity for the people of Gaza, enjoy widespread international support.  As your Administration has noted, key Arab and Muslim nations, including Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Turkey, and the UAE, have endorsed the plan.  The Palestinian Authority also has indicated its willingness to cooperate.  The United States must continue its good work and involvement to preserve and promote this unprecedented alignment of regional actors. The next phase of the Peace Plan will require your continued personal engagement in the region to hold Hamas accountable to its commitments and work closely with the international community, especially the Arab countries, to exert maximum pressure on Hamas to disarm and agree to the full plan. 

Now is the time to prioritize both the security and reconstruction pillars of the Peace Plan.  On a recent visit to Israel, Vice President JD Vance noted that the International Stabilization Force will take lead on disarming Hamas.   The Administration must maintain oversight and leadership in the effort to disarm and dismantle Hamas and should not defer responsibility solely to the ISF, which has yet to be formed.  While international cooperation is essential, the United States must remain fully engaged to ensure that the ISF’s operations align with U.S. security objectives, uphold accountability, and prevent any resurgence of extremist elements.  This would not only neutralize immediate threats, but also constrain Iran’s ability to project influence through proxy groups in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen. 

Central to the plan’s security provisions includes dismantling Hamas’ capabilities and establishing a multinational stabilization force, both of which would significantly reduce threats from Iran and their regional proxy groups.  A comprehensive enforcement framework would bolster Israel’s long-term security and reinforce U.S. coordination with regional partners such as Jordan, Egypt, and the Gulf states.  Importantly, fulfilling this engagement could usher regional stability and reduce the influence of Iran and its proxies.

The plan’s humanitarian and reconstruction components, which include ensuring aid access, rebuilding critical infrastructure, and creating a Gaza Special Economic Zone, would deliver tangible benefits to both Palestinians and the broader region.  American participation in these reconstruction efforts could open markets for U.S. companies, expand trade corridors, and strengthen economic interdependence among our regional partners.  A prosperous and rebuilt Gaza would reduce instability, curbing the drivers of extremism, and promoting shared economic growth across the Eastern Mediterranean. Moreover, sustained reconstruction reduces humanitarian dependence on international aid, enabling local governance and private enterprise to take root, demonstrating key pillars of long-term security and regional prosperity.

Success of the Peace Plan will depend on steady American engagement to translate its points into enforceable steps forward.  If this is successful, the plan will provide a pathway to a more stable and prosperous Middle East.  We must work together to ensure lasting security for Israelis and Palestinians and establish a region free from terror activities.  We thank you, again, for your efforts, urge you to seize this moment, and look forward to working on this Peace Plan together.

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

Washington, DC – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee Ranking Member Mike Thompson (CA-04), Ways and Means Committee Ranking Member Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and other Ways and Means members in introducing the American Affordability Act of 2025. The plan takes a multi-angle approach to lowering the cost of living for working families across the country, with real solutions to expand affordable housing, lower energy bills, cut taxes for the middle class, help student loan borrowers, and protect households from skyrocketing healthcare premiums.

The larger legislation includes Rep. Panetta’s More Homes on the Market Act, which would increase the supply of available homes by removing barriers that discourage homeowners from trying to sell their properties. The bill would amend an out-of-date provision of the tax code that penalizes those looking to sell or downsize their home with large tax bills. Specifically, it would raise the exclusion from capital gains tax on the sale of a primary residence from $250,000 to $500,000 for single filers and from $500,000 to $1 million for joint filers. These existing thresholds, originally set in 1997, have never been adjusted for inflation, and make it nearly impossible for homeowners to sell without facing significant tax burdens.

The American Affordability Act also includes Rep. Panetta’s First-Time Home Buyer Tax Credit Act, to help restore access to the American Dream by establishing a refundable tax credit of up to $15,000 to support first-time buyers. It also includes his Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act, to increase the supply of affordable housing for middle-income families who earn too much to qualify for low-income affordable housing, but not enough to afford housing near where they work.

“In order to make the American Dream achievable again, we need real solutions that will bring down costs for working families in California’s 19^th Congressional District,” said Rep. Panetta. “I’m proud to join my colleagues, who understand that actions speak louder than words, in introducing the American Affordability Act which would take specific, effective action to tackle the affordability crisis and bring down the cost of housing, fuel, food, bills, and more. I’m especially pleased that this legislation includes three of my flagship housing bills, which would increase the supply of affordable housing.”

“Families are doing everything right and still falling behind as costs keep rising,” said Rep. Thompson. “The American Affordability Act is about real relief for families: affordable housing, lower energy bills, more affordable childcare and healthcare, and bigger paychecks. This bill delivers targeted tax relief and smart investments that help families make ends meet and restores the promise that hard work should be enough to get ahead in our country.” 

“While Donald Trump projects and dismisses affordability fears as a ‘hoax,’ Democrats have been and always will be at the front of the fight to lower costs for everyday workers and families,” said Rep. Neal. “Tax Ranking Member Mike Thompson knows that whether it’s tackling the housing crisis, making childcare more affordable, or lowering health and energy costs, we have so much work to do to ease the minds of the American people and foster opportunity. The American Affordability Act is a blueprint for the next step in our fight for what we are united to deliver: lower costs and easier, better lives.”

The American Affordability Act would:  

Expand Access to Affordable Housing 

• Increases the homeowner capital gains tax exemption to encourage more home sales and reduce the cost to buy a home, doubling the threshold to $500,000 for single filers and $1 million for joint filers
• Creates the first-ever monthly Renter Tax Credit for individuals and families paying more than 30% of their income on rent and creates a First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit to help low- and middle-income earners
• Creates a new tax credit to bridge the gap between the cost of building or repairing a home and the home’s value once it is built, powering the development of 500,000 affordable, single-family homes over the next ten years 
• Incentivizes the conversion of vacant office spaces and other commercial properties into new housing, reserving at least 20% of new units for low-income residents 

Lower Energy Costs 

• Creates a new 30% tax credit for long-range electric transmission to lower the cost of grid modernization projects, taking steps to prevent mass power outages and lower ratepayer bills
• Restores tax credits for homeowners to install home energy efficiency upgrades, solar panels, geothermal, and other cost-reducing power sources
• Spurs the development of American-made clean energy by providing a tax credit to companies that reduce carbon emissions by producing “green” and “blue” hydrogen and fuel cells
• Authorizes tax credits to purchase new and used electric vehicles and electric bikes 

Stop Trump Healthcare Price Hikes 

• Permanently extends expiring Affordable Care Act tax credits, protecting 112,000 Connecticut residents from sky-high premium hikes
• Prevents insurance providers from dropping vaccine coverage due to Secretary Kennedy’s anti-science restrictions, including coverage for MMR, COVID-19 and Hepatitis B shots 

Cut Taxes for Families and Workers 

• Restores the expanded Child Tax Credit for working parents, providing monthly payments of $300 for each child over the age of six and $360 for each child under the age of six
• Extends the Earned Income Tax Credit for adults without children and expands eligibility to cover working young adults
• Permanently extends tax cuts for tipped workers, and expands “no tax on tips” to include automatic gratuities
• Expands the $250 teacher expense tax deduction to include early childhood educators 

Make Childcare More Affordable 

• Increases the maximum dependent care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) contribution from $7,500 to $10,000, automatically adjusting the contribution limit for inflation
• Creates a new $5,000 refundable tax credit to cover startup costs needed to open family childcare centers
• Makes the adoption tax credit fully refundable, opening the door for more low-income families to pursue adoption
• Creates a new tax credit to support working family caregivers 

Help Student Loan Borrowers 

• Doubles the student loan interest tax deduction for married couples, to $2,500 per person and makes any forgiven student loans tax-free
• Expands eligibility for the American Opportunity Tax Credit, to support students during the first six years of their higher education with up to $2,000 per year
• Excludes Pell Grants from income, ensuring aid received through this program is tax-free for students 

Other cosponsors of the American Affordability Act include: Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), and Dina Titus (NV-01). 

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

Washington, DC – Ahead of the busy holiday season, United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Young Kim (CA-40) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to address the nationwide increase in mail theft. The Maximizing Agency Integration on Letter (MAIL) Theft Act would crack down on thieves who steal delivered packages from homes by requiring cross-agency coordination on the issue of mail theft and raising it as a priority for federal law enforcement.

While the United States Postal Service (USPS) and US Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) have increased enforcement and arrests, these crimes are spread out across local communities where police are already stretched thin. According to USPS and USPIS, as of last year, arrests for robbing letter carriers were up 73 percent. Between 2019 and 2022, letter carrier robberies increased sixfold, and high-volume mailbox theft increased 87 percent. Just last month, a housing complex in San Jose was the target of mass mail theft, forcing residents to resort to using P.O. boxes or retrieving mail promptly.

The MAIL Theft Act requires federal agencies, including the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Postal Inspection Service (USPIS), to work with state and local law enforcement to better protect our communities from postal theft and develop a coordinated federal approach to mail theft which is targeting neighborhoods nationwide.

“Too many delivered packages are being stolen from homes,” said Rep. Panetta. “The MAIL Theft Act will help investigate and solve these types of crimes by ensuring that federal agencies are backing up our local law enforcement with a coordinated federal response.  As more and more people rely on mail order delivery, Congress must play its part to ensure that delivered packages are protected.”

“During the holiday season, families should be focused on time together — not stolen checks and missing packages,” said Rep. Kim. “Rising mail theft is hurting communities and putting postal workers at risk. The MAIL Theft Act strengthens coordination across all levels of law enforcement so we can stop these crimes, protect workers, and restore peace of mind for families in California. I’m proud to work alongside Rep. Panetta to help introduce this commonsense legislation, just in time for the holidays.”

Last March, Rep. Panetta wrote to Postmaster Louis Dejoy and USPIS Chief Inspector Gary Barksdale to request assistance in resolving egregious mail theft taking place in California’s 19th Congressional District. Rep. Panetta called on postal leaders to prioritize mail theft deterrence in South San Jose, including the approval of individual curbside mailboxes, new physical security standards for cluster box units, and clarity on a nationwide strategy to address this epidemic. Rep. Panetta is also a cosponsor of the bipartisan Protect Our Letter Carriers Act which would appoint an assistant U.S. attorney to prosecute postal crime, amend sentencing guidelines related to the assault of a postal employee, and replace old mail collection boxes with high-security models.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter exposes Jon Ossoff ties to potential childcare fraud schemes, calls for investigation into ActBlue

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today sent a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to continue and expand its work to determine whether fraud connected to childcare programs, including recent schemes in Minnesota, may also involve improper political financial contributions towards Democrat fundraising platforms, such as ActBlue, which earmarked funds for Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA). 

Under Governor Tim Walz’s (D-MN) leadership, Minnesota social service programs have been defrauded by an estimated $9 billion, with nearly 100 individuals charged in these schemes to date. Recent reporting exposes grave concerns that taxpayer dollars flowed to sham daycare and childcare providers that never served children and may have diverted millions of dollars to Democrat fundraising platforms and overseas terrorist organizations, including ISIS and Al-Shabaab. 

Given these revelations, Rep. Carter argues that nationwide daycare and childcare providers receiving federal taxpayer dollars and donating to Democrat fundraising platforms deserve increased scrutiny. 

In the letter, Rep. Carter writes, “Given the scale and disturbing pattern of these fraudulent schemes, I am concerned that misappropriated taxpayer funds may have also been used for improper political purpose,” not just in Minnesota but nationwide. “For example, FEC [Federal Election Commission] data from 2025 appears to reflect political contributions attributed to an entity identified as ‘Atomic Daycare’ in Michigan, including donations processed through ActBlue and earmarked for federal candidates, including Jon Ossoff.” 

Rep. Carter continues, “This potential misconduct should be investigated. Taxpayer-funded childcare programs should support families, strengthen workforce participation, and ensure the safety and wellbeing of children, not serve as indirect financial pipelines for ActBlue.” 

Read the full letter here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the following statement after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency officer fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis:

“Today’s tragic shooting once again proves that ICE is not in our cities to protect people or for public safety. They are separating families, not only by distance and countries—but by death. My sincere condolences are with the family and loved ones of the woman who died.

“As details come forward about the shooting, I urge the truth to come to light. The city of Chicago knows all too well that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem only lies. After the deadly shooting of Silverio Villegas González during a traffic stop, Secretary Noem tried to hide the truth, but bodycam footage disproved injuries sustained by the ICE officer. The Minneapolis Mayor has already said that video disputes Secretary Noem’s claims. It’s clear that to achieve public safety, ICE must leave our cities immediately.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) released the below statement following the death of her stepdaughter Lauren Horn at the age of 38:

“My family and I are completely heartbroken. Lauren was one of my bonus daughters, an absolute blessing to me ever since we joined families over 20 years ago. She was a beloved mother, sister, and daughter. I will forever miss her.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) introduced a bill addressing safety concerns with electric vehicle doors, including Tesla’s doors that have trapped people in their own cars. At least 15 people have died in car crashes due to Tesla doors not opening.

The Securing Accessible Functional Emergency (SAFE) Exit Act will require the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to issue a final rule to establish performance and labeling requirements for electric doors. The SAFE Exit Act will also require electric vehicles, like Tesla, to have easy-to-find manual releases for each door. There is currently no federal standard for electric vehicle doors.

“Profits and, least of all, style, should not come before people’s lives. Elon Musk and his Tesla designs are not safe, nor efficient, and it has cost people their lives,” said Rep. Kelly. “When crashes or power loss leave drivers and passengers trapped inside their own cars, that is not innovation—it’s a safety failure. Just like requiring basic safety standards like seatbelts, my SAFE Exit Act will protect consumers. As the auto industry continues to innovate, we must ensure people’s safety.”

The SAFE Exit Act is also endorsed by Consumer Reports.

“It’s critical for people to be able to immediately get out of the car during a vehicle fire or similar emergency. Yet electronic door handles can fail and become unusable if a car loses electrical power, making it impossible to exit the vehicle when seconds matter most,” said Cooper Lohr, Senior Policy Analyst of Transportation and Safety at Consumer Reports. “Fortunately, this problem has a solution: every car should be required to have intuitive, accessible, and easy-to-find manual releases that work even when power fails. We thank Congresswoman Kelly for introducing the SAFE Exit Act, which is a smart, timely response to a very real and growing safety risk.”

Over 35,000 consumers have signed a recent petition calling on automakers to change the design for electric-power doors. 

The newly introduced legislation will require manufacturers to provide a means for first responders to access the car when electric power is lost. It will also require labeling to ensure drivers and passengers can easily locate a manual release in emergency situations.

Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) remembered the insurrection on January 6 five years ago, participating in an unofficial hearing held by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02), chairman of the former January 6 Select Committee. 

“I will never forget crawling on my hands and knees in the House gallery as I escaped violent insurrectionists five years ago. That day, brave Capitol Police Officers saved us from a dangerous mob,” said Rep. Kelly. “In an outrageous decision, President Trump pardoned January 6 insurrectionists. This president does not care for law and order or checks and balances, proven again when he unilaterally decided to force a regime change in Venezuela.

“We need to uphold democratic norms — and condemn anyone who tries to overtake our democracy, including the president. Congress’s job is to oversee the White House, not play second fiddle to a wannabe dictator. It’s beyond time for Republicans to grow a spine and work with us to create a government that works for all people.”

Watch the House Democrats hearing in its entirety here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela in the following statement:

“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate ruler who oppressed the people of Venezuela. But President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change in Venezuela is shortsighted and drags the U.S. into a reckless conflict that could destabilize the entire region. I demand a vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump from launching further military action without Congressional approval.

“The American people did not ask to be involved in another foreign conflict, but President Trump now wants to ‘run the country.’ The President needs to stop acting like a dictator and start improving the lives of Americans, including people who actually voted for him. That is how a democracy should work. But President Trump’s attack on Venezuela does nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans and does everything to enrich himself and his billionaire oil-executive friends. Our focus should be here at home, lowering costs of healthcare, housing, and groceries.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on Trump’s attack on Venezuela:

“For months, Donald Trump has touted himself as the president for peace. Yet overnight, he committed a drastic act of war against Venezuela and has pledged that the United States will be ‘running’ Venezuela and is prepared to make additional strikes. The last thing the American people want is to be involved in another forever war. Maduro is a brutal dictator, but as a nation, we know that ousting a foreign ruler often makes things much worse. The people of Venezuela deserve to determine their own future — without foreign intervention.

“Trump’s actions are a blatant violation of U.S. and international law. He is desperate to distract the American people from his failing domestic policies and numerous scandals.

“I have called on Congress to reassert its Constitutional power with this administration for months. When Secretaries Hegseth and Rubio briefed Congress on military action against Venezuela, they blatantly lied about the administration’s intentions. Congress must demand that Trump receive Congressional authority before any additional actions in Venezuela. It is time to restore the authority of the Constitution.”