MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — Speaker Mike Johnson and Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Amir Ohana today officially launched their effort to rally Speakers and Presidents of Parliaments around the world to join them in nominating President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize in 2026 following President Trump’s work to secure the return of all living hostages, establish lasting security for Israel, and deliver the framework for peace in the Middle East.

Speaker Ohana announced this effort during an address to the Israeli Knesset in October, and Speaker Johnson announced the effort at a press conference in the U.S. Capitol the following day. Today, Johnson and Ohana signed a formal letter launching the effort, which will be circulated to parliamentary leaders around the world for their signatures. Read the full letter here.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson released the following statement:

“In restoring the American tradition of peace through strength, President Trump has made history by ending conflicts and encouraging order around the globe. While the world has aspired to peace in the Middle East for generations, President Trump has now created that path and forced the release of the last of the living hostages who endured two long years in Hamas captivity. From Africa to the Far East to former Soviet bloc states, his leadership has brought peace that will save and improve the lives of countless millions of people.

“I am proud to announce that my friend, Speaker Ohana, and I are working together to rally Speakers and Presidents of parliaments around the world to join us in nominating President Trump for next year’s Nobel Peace Prize. No one has ever deserved that honor more.”

Speaker of the Israeli Knesset Amir Ohana released the following statement:

“I would like to thank the Speaker of the House, my friend Mike Johnson, for the warm welcome and for his true partnership in a cause that is just, moral, and as right as any can be — one that demonstrates the strength of the bond between the United States and Israel. There is not a single person in the world who has done more for peace over the past year than President Trump, and no one more deserving of recognition for the efforts and the results that have saved the lives of so many people around the world, including in Israel. The “peace through strength” policy is the one and only way to ensure true and lasting peace. I therefore call on our colleagues – Heads of Parliaments from across the globe – to join us by signing on to the nomination of President Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize”

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

Headline: Carter defends Christians against corrupt Ethiopian government in new resolution

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced a resolution condemning the Ethiopian government for its many human rights violations, including the persecution of Christians, and urging the Secretary of State to use all available diplomatic tools to protect innocent civilians against their abusive, corrupt government. 

The resolution condemns Ethiopia for “actions that threaten regional stability, violate fundamental human rights, and undermine the strategic interests of the United States in the Horn of Africa,” citing “acts of war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide,” and the targeting by “violence, intimidation, and persecution” of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church and other religious institutions. 

“Practicing your Christian faith is not a crime. Terrorists are running Ethiopia into the ground, and with it the lives of countless innocent people, particularly religious minorities. From intimidation to famine and genocide, the Ethiopian government has given the United States no option but to limit their power by using every tool available to hold them accountable for these, and many other, abuses,” said Rep. Carter.  

 

The resolution has support from the Amhara Association in Georgia and the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee. 

“For the past five years, as documented by human rights organizations, the Ethiopian Human Rights Council, multiple international media outlets, the United Nations, and the U.S. Department of State’s 2025 human rights reports, countless innocent civilians—women, children, and the elderly among them—have endured brutal acts of violence, including rape used as a weapon of war, arbitrary detention, torture, and mass displacement. Churches have been burned, religious leaders assassinated, and entire villages destroyed when the community rejected itsethnically driven ideology,” said the Amhara Association in Georgia. “[Rep. Carter’s] resolution to invoke all appropriate internationally available tools, including the Global Magnitsky Act, is both timely and essential. Holding perpetrators accountable through targeted sanctions—such as travel bans, asset freezes, and diplomatic isolation—will send a powerful message that the United States will not tolerate crimes against humanity, sexual violence, or religious persecution committed with impunity.”

“The American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee (AEPAC) strongly supports Congressman Earl L. “Buddy” Carter’s resolution calling for targeted sanctions against Ethiopian officials responsible for widespread atrocities, sexual violence, and religious persecution. The measure—anchored in the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act—responds to mounting evidence, including recent BBC and U.S. State Department findings, documenting mass rapes, extrajudicial killings, and attacks on places of worship across Ethiopia’s Amhara region. AEPAC commends Congressman Carter’s moral clarity and leadership in standing with the Ethiopian people and urges swift bipartisan action to ensure that perpetrators of these crimes face justice and that the United States continues to champion human rights, religious freedom, and accountability in Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa,” said the American Ethiopian Public Affairs Committee. 

Read the full bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

After previously postponing his annual Women’s Conference in October due to the government shutdown, Rep. Don Beyer today announced that he will be hosting his Ninth Annual Women’s Conference: The Ripple Effects of Resilience on Thursday, January 15 at George Mason University’s new Fuse building in Arlington.

The program will feature a discussion with Brooke Sydnor Curran, founder of Move2Learn; Lisa Jacobs, Executive Director of the Alexandria Tutoring Consortium; Elizabeth Jones Valderrama, Executive Director of Offender Aid and Restoration (OAR); and Ana Dionne-Lanier, Attorney at the Amica Center for Immigrant Rights. The discussion will be moderated by Nyree Wright, Executive Vice President of Crisis & Risk Communications at Edelman. Beyer will also present this year’s Clara Mortenson Beyer Women and Children First Award.

The event is free to the public but capacity is limited, so attendees are encouraged to register online here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Introduces Pro-Nuclear Energy Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) introduced the Parity for Nuclear Energy Investment Act to expand tax incentives for investments in U.S. nuclear energy development.  

“After protecting tax credits for nuclear energy in the Working Families Tax Cuts, it is time to expand investment opportunities for new projects in places like the Tri-Cities,” said Rep. Newhouse. “The Administration is expediting efforts to produce more American nuclear energy, and Richland will be home to some of the first small modular reactors which will help achieve that goal. These projects will create new high-quality jobs, increase economic development, and make Central Washington a leader in the future of U.S. nuclear energy production.” 

This legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03) and Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and is supported by Energy Northwest, the Nuclear Energy Institute, Elementl Power, Constellation Energy, Holtec International, and X-Energy.

Bob Schuetz, CEO, Energy Northwest, said, “This important bill from Congressman Newhouse reflects the national imperative to lead on advanced nuclear. It ensures the new nuclear energy communities bonus tax credit will benefit the world-class workforce and residents of the Tri-Cities, bringing down the cost of the new nuclear projects needed for grid reliability in for the Pacific Northwest.” 

Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, the Nuclear Energy Institute, said, “We commend Representative Newhouse for his support to close an important gap in the tax incentives for commercial nuclear technologies. Allowing new nuclear projects to claim the nuclear-specific energy community bonus under the section 48E tax credit mirrors what is already available for projects under the section 45Y tax credit. The change being proposed in the legislation will support new nuclear deployment and bring even more high-quality jobs to communities across the country.” 

Chris Colbert, Chairman and CEO, Elementl Power, said, “We strongly support the new legislation introduced by Representative Newhouse to address critical gaps in the current energy tax credit framework. By extending the nuclear communities bonus to the investment tax credit, this legislation will help spur the construction of new nuclear plants to meet our country’s growing power demands, unlock new opportunities for investment, job creation, and local economic growth in communities that have long supported America’s energy leadership.” 

David Dardis, Executive Vice President and Chief Legal and Policy Officer, Constellation Energy, said, “Constellation applauds Congressman Newhouse’s leadership and commitment to fostering innovation and growth in America’s energy sector. His bill providing parity for the Energy Communities credit to Section 48E will help drive investment in new, reliable clean energy projects at a critical time as we work to meet growing energy demand.” 

Pat O’Brien, Director of Government Affairs and Communications, Holtec International, said, “Congressman Newhouse is a leader in nuclear power because he understands the most significant hurdle to a true renaissance in baseload power is the construction cost. This provision doesn’t pay for the power plant but instead enables private capital to become obtainable. Significantly, it enables the new baseload power generation to site where previous plants have operated.” 

Background 

The Working Families Tax Cuts added a new bonus credit incentive with respect to the Clean Electricity Production Tax Credit under U.S. Code Section 45Y for “advanced nuclear facilities” located in “nuclear energy communities,” which are any metropolitan statistical area (MSA) that has, or any time since 2010 has had, 0.17% direct employment related to the advancement of nuclear power.

This bonus incentive for the 45Y credit increases a facility’s otherwise applicable production tax credit rate by 10 percent but does not apply to the 48E Investment Tax Credit. 

This legislation would create parity for advanced nuclear energy investment by making available this 10 percent new bonus incentive with respect to the Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit under U.S. Code Section 48E. Additionally, it would grant eligibility to new advanced nuclear facilities in non-metropolitan statistical areas, which makes this bonus tax credit consistent with those in existing law for other energy generation sources. 

See full bill text here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Co-leads Bipartisan Action to Prevent ACA Premium Spikes and Protect Affordable Healthcare

Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act delivers a practical, passable solution to avert year-end crisis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Representative Don Bacon (NE-02) joined Representatives Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Tom Suozzi (NY-02), Jared Golden (ME-02), Rob Bresnahan (PA-08), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), and Donald G. Davis (NC-01), to introduce the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act, a two-party, targeted solution to prevent a sharp jump in healthcare costs as current protections expire and ensure millions of Americans can maintain affordable coverage.

Without immediate congressional action, the scheduled expiration of the Affordable Care Act’s enhanced premium tax credits would result in steep, sudden cost increases and widespread loss of coverage—destabilizing the healthcare markets working families rely upon.

“I’m glad we’re moving the debate forward on extending and reforming the Affordable Care Act subsidies. I’ve made clear to my colleagues on both sides that Congress needs a smart, bipartisan agreement that prevents our constituents’ health insurance premiums from skyrocketing,” said Rep. Bacon. “That’s why I worked with Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick, Jared Golden, Tom Suozzi, Rob Bresnahan, and Don Davis to introduce the Bipartisan Health Coverage Affordability Act, another reasonable compromise that extends the enhanced premium tax credits for two years and applies new income caps and fraud protections. This may not be the final package Congress adopts, but it’s a responsible compromise that can help break the gridlock and protect families from higher costs.” 

Key Provisions of the Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act

The legislation advances five reforms designed to protect affordability, strengthen accountability, and ensure taxpayer value:

• Prevents premium spikes: Extends enhanced premium tax credits through 2027, to protect families from abrupt monthly cost increases.
• Restores Consumer Control: Stops unauthorized plan and subsidy changes by requiring consent and prompt notification before any modifications take effect.
• Shines Light on Middlemen: Ends hidden spread pricing, severs PBM profits from drug prices, and requires full rebate pass-through to ensure savings reach patients.
• Gives Families New Tools to Manage Costs: Expands access to Health Savings Accounts and simplifies premium payments to reduce disruptions in coverage.
• Smart Stewardship of Taxpayer Dollars: Modernizes eligibility and introduces a reasonable minimum contribution to protect long-term affordability and responsible stewardship of federal dollars.

“From the outset, I committed to delivering a bipartisan solution to prevent devastating premium spikes—today, we are doing exactly that. Our bill keeps the ACA’s premium tax credits in place, so families are not blindsided with unaffordable increases in the care they depend on,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick. “This is a practical, people-first fix that protects families now, while preserving the space to keep working toward a stronger, smarter, more affordable healthcare system. When the stakes are this high, responsible governance means securing 80 percent of what families need today rather than risking 100 percent of nothing tomorrow. We built this the right way—with input from across the aisle and across chambers—with the clearest pathway to the President’s desk. We’re ready to get this done, and we call on our colleagues to step up, join us, and put American families, not political messaging, first.”

“The expiration of the ACA Premium Tax Credits on 12/31/25 would create an avoidable crisis for millions of Americans who will face an explosion of their healthcare premiums. We need a bipartisan solution now, and we must battle against the petty partisan interests that put politics above people. Simply put, while this bill is not perfect, it is a short-term, reasonable solution that prevents catastrophic premium spikes. If enacted, we must use the reprieve to craft long-term reforms to lower healthcare costs in the long run: incentivizing preventative care, lowering drug prices, and cracking down on wasteful bureaucracy and abuse in our system. To get there, we must work together now, and act with the urgency this moment demands,” said Rep. Suozzi

“We have known for months that there is no way for either party to address the looming health care cliff alone. It’s long past time that members and leaders in Congress come together to prevent catastrophic coverage price spikes for millions of Americans,” said Rep. Golden. “The Bipartisan Health Coverage Affordability Act preserves the ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits for the families who need them most, implements sensible income caps to reduce costs and better target benefits and cracks down on prescription drug middlemen. This moment requires leaders to abandon their partisan corners and govern. Our bill provides a path out of gridlock and toward solutions.”

“Congress must act swiftly to bring certainty and reduce anxiety. We must promote greater accountability and ensure families do not lose vital health coverage or face bankruptcy due to medical emergencies,” said Rep. Davis.

“Families across Northeastern Pennsylvania have expressed that affordability is a key concern in our healthcare system,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “This bipartisan effort to extend ACA tax credits has the potential to help working families keep more money in their pockets and maintain the coverage they rely on.”

Read the full bill text here.

Background: 

The Affordable Care Act established premium tax credits to help families afford coverage. To prevent sharp price increases during recent years of inflation, Congress temporarily enhanced those credits in 2021 and extended them through 2025 while broader reforms continued to be debated.

That extension now expires at year’s end. Without a targeted fix, millions would see immediate and significant premium spikes on January 1—jeopardizing household budgets and destabilizing the individual market.

Recognizing both the urgency and the responsibility to deliver a real solution, Fitzpatrick has led months of bipartisan engagement to produce a plan that is responsible, passable, and ready to go. The Bipartisan Health Insurance Affordability Act reflects that work, providing the protections families need now and a durable framework for continuing long-term efforts to bring down healthcare costs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04), Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) and Congresswoman Kim Schrier MD (WA-08) sent a letter to Centers for Diseases Control & Prevention (CDC) Acting Director James O’Neill and the advisory panel it oversees urging them to maintain the existing recommendations in support of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine. The advisory panel is scheduled to discuss and vote on the hepatitis B birth dose recommendation during its two-day meeting starting Dec. 4, potentially limiting children’s access to the life-saving vaccine. 

In the letter, the members said: “[we] are very concerned that the Committee may vote to remove this longstanding recommendation this month as part of its larger focus on altering childhood vaccinations. There is no data to support delaying the first immunization to one-month, four years, or 12 years of age. Since the implementation of the birth dose recommendation in 1991, there has been an astonishing 99% reduction in childhood hepatitis B infections. In the last 30 years, this vaccine schedule is estimated to have saved over 90,000 lives, prevented 6 million infections, and nearly 1 million hospitalizations. Further, a model by the Center for Disease Analysis Foundation found that removing the universal birth dose in favor of later vaccination initiation would result in 99,000 new hepatitis B infections that could have been prevented. To protect children from hepatitis B, we strongly urge you to maintain the existing ACIP recommendation in support of the birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine.”

To read the full letter, click HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky (9th District of Illinois)

Full Text of Resolution (PDF)

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Representatives Jan Schakowsky (IL-09) and Michael McCaul (TX-10) led 20 House colleagues in introducing a bipartisan resolution condemning Iran’s government for persecuting members of the Baha’i faith. The Iranian Baha’i community is the largest religious minority in Iran with a membership of more than 300,000 people.

“The Iranian government’s relentless assault on its Baha’i minority is an outrage that demands immediate action,” said Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky. “We have updated the bipartisan resolution, which passed the House of Representatives last Congress, to send an even stronger, more unified message from the United States to the government of Iran condemning its grave human rights abuses. The United States and our allies must use every diplomatic tool available to hold Iran accountable and put a stop to this hate-fueled campaign once and for all.” 

“The Iranian regime’s assault on the peaceful Baha’i community is abhorrent and must be condemned by leaders across the free world,” said Congressman Michael McCaul. “Through this resolution, the United States Congress is sending a clear message that we stand with the Baha’i community and will not tolerate Iran’s efforts to silence, intimidate, and persecute members of the Baha’i faith.” 

Unlike some other religious minorities such as Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians, Iran’s Baha’is have never been recognized by their government and are often persecuted by the Iranian regime. The regime often seizes personal property, denies Baha’i access to education and employment opportunities, and detains or imprisons Baha’is based solely on their religious beliefs.

The Iranian government’s reprehensible persecution of its Baha’i minority is a continued violation of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. In addition to denouncing the Iranian government’s oppression of the Baha’i community, this resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha’is and put an end to its state-sponsored hate campaign against them. The resolution encourages the U.S. president and secretary of state to condemn Iran’s continued rights violations and imposes sanctions on Iranian government officials who are responsible for those abuses.

U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR) and John Boozman (R-AR) are leading companion legislation in the U.S. Senate.

“The Iranian government has squeezed every freedom from members of the Baha’i community,” said Senator Ron Wyden. “Imprisoning and torturing Baha’is and taking away their rights is immoral, unjust, and just plain wrong. The Baha’i community in Iran deserves to freely practice their religion without fear of state-sponsored persecution. I will not stop making it loud and clear that we will not stand for any part of Iran’s full-scale attack on the Baha’i community.” 

“The persecution of members of the Baha’i community in Iran remains alarming and disturbing,” said Senator John Boozman. “As Americans, we are blessed with religious freedom and stand with members of the Baha’i faith in their pursuit of this fundamental principle. This resolution reaffirms our commitment to their cause and solidarity against efforts to repress minority religious expression.”

In addition to Reps. Schakowsky and McCaul, this resolution is cosponsored in the House of Representatives by Reps. Jake Auchincloss (MA-04), Don Beyer (VA-08), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Mike Lawler (NY-17), Rich McCormick (GA-07), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Jay Obernolte (CA-23), Brad Schneider (IL-10), Brad Sherman (CA-32), Haley Stevens (MI-11), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Juan Vargas (CA-52), Gabe Vasquez (NM-02), and Rudy Yakym (IN-02).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Washington, D.C. — On Tuesday, December 2nd, Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), House Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), will host a shadow hearing entitled, “Republican Priorities: Billionaire Tax Breaks, Not Health Care for Working Families.” The hearing will include health experts, small businesses owners, and Marketplace enrollees to highlight the importance of extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that he will host a town hall in San Ramon to discuss improving transportation and education in the East Bay on Saturday, December 6^th from 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT. 

As a senior member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Committee on Education and Workforce, Congressman DeSaulnier will provide updates on his work to improve quality of life in the East Bay by reducing commute times and supporting families, students, and public education. He will also take questions from constituents. 

Town Hall on Improving Transportation and Education in the East Bay
Saturday, December 6^th
11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. PT
Live Oak Elementary School
5151 Sherwood Way, San Ramon, CA 94582

The event is open to the public and press. To RSVP or request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. Please note that space is limited. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 253^rd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Linda Sanchez (38th District of CA)

WASHINGTON – Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Ranking Member Linda T. Sánchez (D-Calif.) today released the following statement in response to the Trump administration’s plan for an $12 billion tariff-relief bailout for farmers:

“President Trump is betting that throwing $12 billion in taxpayer dollars at the chaos he created will somehow make Americans forget he caused this disaster in the first place.

“Families across the country are already paying the price on everything from groceries to energy for his chaotic trade wars. Now he wants to waste even more of their money to hide the financial losses farmers are facing due to his reckless policies.

“Instead of letting Trump burn through yet another pile of cash to hide his mistakes, congressional Republicans should finally step up and work with Democrats to reclaim our constitutional tariff authority. It’s time to put an end to Trump’s trade wars so we can reopen foreign markets for our farmers and lower prices for American families.”

Background

Ranking Member Sánchez introduced the Stopping a Rogue President on Trade Act, a bill that would turn off most of President Trump’s tariffs and require congressional approval for any new tariffs imposed by the president. The bill has the support of all Ways and Means Democrats.

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