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

Rep. Don Beyer today introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, legislation that would prohibit President Trump’s proposed arch project, along with co-lead Rep. Dina Titus and 31 additional cosponsors. Beyer also pressed Trump Administration officials for details and studies on potential traffic impacts if construction proceeds.

Trump’s arch proposal relies on illegal manipulations of funding without congressional authorization and violates the Commemorative Works Act. As the Trump Administration makes spurious, absurd arguments to support proceeding with construction, Beyer’s legislation would explicitly prohibit and defund this and any similar projects. Rep. Beyer represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), and his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried there.

Here are some of the local and national news stories on Beyer’s efforts:

Washington Post: House Democrats Announce Bill To Block Construction Of Trump’s Arch

CNN: Rep. Beyer Joins Jake Tapper on The Lead To Discuss His Legislation

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

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined Rep. Sam Liccardo (CA-16) and a coalition of other Bay Area Members of Congress in formally demanding answers from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) about delays endured by community members protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program as they try to renew their DACA applications. Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11) and Reps. Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Mike Thompson (CA-04) also signed the letter.

“We urge you to accelerate processing, provide transparent updates, and shield applicants from enforcement actions while they await adjudication,” wrote the Members. 

This year, Bay Area congressional offices are each reporting 5-10 DACA delay cases per week, compared to almost none last year, and the caseload continues to grow. The DACA program protects undocumented young adults who came to the United States as children from deportation. DACA recipients must get their application renewed every two years to stay in the country and work.

 

“Across the Bay Area, DACA recipients are valued community members who support key industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and hospitality. When renewals lapse, DACA recipients face disruptions to employment, income stability, and daily life—effects that ripple beyond individual households into the broader regional economy,” continued the Members. “The consequences are already visible in our state: school districts are placing Dreamer educators on unpaid administrative leave mid-year, and other workers are missing shifts, because timely, properly filed renewals remain unadjudicated.”

The legislators explained that while USCIS currently reports a 3.5-month processing average, real-time data from the Members’ casework teams show that extensions that once took only a couple of weeks to process now stretch beyond five months. The agency completed 18% fewer cases in the second quarter of FY 2025 compared to the same period the prior year. 

A lapse in DACA authorization increases the risk of detention or deportation and leaves immigrant families in limbo. In the letter, the lawmakers also requested data about processing times in each Congressional District, explanations for the processing delays, and details about whether USCIS is sharing information with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). 

 “[DACA recipients] build careers, raise families, and contribute to this country in good faith—fulfilling every obligation this government requires of them. USCIS must meet its obligations in return,” concluded the Members.

Full text of the letter is available here and below:

Secretary Mullin and Director Edlow,

We write to express concern about processing delays for renewal applications under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program across the Bay Area. We urge you to accelerate processing, provide transparent updates, and shield applicants from enforcement actions while they await adjudication.

In recent months, our offices noted a significant increase in processing times for constituents’ DACA renewal applications. Despite submitting complete and timely filings consistent with USCIS guidance, applicants endure prolonged adjudication periods that outlast their current grants of deferred action and work authorization. While USCIS currently reports a 3.5-month processing average, real-time data from our casework teams reveals times stretching beyond five months. The agency completed 18% fewer cases in the second quarter of FY2025 compared to the same period the prior year. This trend seeds widespread uncertainty for applicants and employers alike, particularly when USCIS withholds the causes of delays or expected resolution timelines.

Across the Bay Area, DACA recipients are valued community members who support key industries, including healthcare, education, technology, and hospitality. When renewals lapse, DACA recipients face disruptions to employment, income stability, and daily life—effects that ripple beyond individual households into the broader regional economy. The consequences are already visible in our state: school districts are placing Dreamer educators on unpaid administrative leave mid-year, and other workers are missing shifts, because timely, properly filed renewals remain unadjudicated.

In addition, a lapse in DACA increases the risk of detention or deportation by federal immigration officials. Between January and September 2025, at least 270 Dreamers across the country were arrested and 174 were deported. DACA recipients should not face such risk due to a pending renewal application due to processing delays out of their control.

We request written responses to the following questions no later than May 29th, 2026:

• District Data: List current average processing times and pending application totals for each of our districts.
• Operational Shifts: Detail specific policy, staffing, or procedural changes since January 20, 2025, that contributed to longer processing times.
• Lapse Impact: How many recipients in our districts have suffered an employment authorization lapse due to processing delays?
• Remediation: Outline the steps DHS and USCIS leaders plan to accelerate processing and reduce the backlog. What timeline governs the implementation of these steps?
• Enforcement Coordination: What information does USCIS share with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding expiration dates and renewal status?
• Custody Status: How many individuals in each of our districts who are experiencing pending renewals are facing detention, are in custody, or face removal?

Bay Area DACA recipients remain essential to the ecosystem of California and the United States. They build careers, raise families, and contribute to this country in good faith—fulfilling every obligation this government requires of them. USCIS must meet its obligations in return.

Sincerely,

 

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

Washington, D.C. – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined fellow Ways and Means Committee members, Reps. Linda T. Sánchez (CA-38), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Darin LaHood (IL-16), to introduce the Rental Housing Investment Act, a bipartisan bill that would modernize the tax code, lower construction costs, and create stronger incentives to build affordable rental housing.

“Although many people work in California’s 19th Congressional District, contributing so much to our economy and communities, many people can’t afford to live in our district due to the lack of affordable rental housing,” said Rep. Panetta. “That’s why I’m joining my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Rental Housing Investment Act as a way to incentivize the development of new multifamily rental housing with deductions for upfront costs, which often prevent contractors from getting projects off the ground. This type of bipartisan legislation is a way in which the federal government can play its part to ensure more affordable housing for working families in our communities.”

“Southern California families are being priced out of their own communities,” said Rep. Sánchez. “Rents are climbing and there simply are not enough homes to meet demand. Our bill removes a real barrier to building more housing to give working families a shot at finding a home they can afford.”

“Families across New York and across the country are struggling under the weight of rising housing costs and a severe shortage of available rental housing,” said Rep. Tenney. “The federal tax code should encourage the construction of more housing, not stand in the way. This bipartisan legislation takes a practical, market-driven approach to expanding housing supply, reducing development costs, and helping make housing more affordable for hardworking Americans.”

“The shortage of affordable housing is a rural, urban, and suburban issue, impacting communities throughout central and northwestern Illinois,” said Rep. LaHood. “To address this growing crisis across the country, Congress must continue to advance legislation that drives investment into new affordable housing and expands housing options for hardworking Americans nationwide. I am proud to join my colleagues to introduce the bipartisan Rental Housing Investment Act to encourage the development of new affordable housing and lower costs for families.”

The United States is facing a persistent shortage of rental housing, particularly multifamily apartments. Construction has not kept pace with population growth, driving up rents and deepening the affordability crisis. A key barrier to new construction is the high upfront costs for building rental housing. Under current tax law, developers must recover those costs over 27.5 years, making many otherwise viable projects financially difficult, especially in a high-interest-rate environment.

The bill addresses this by modernizing cost recovery in the tax code and encouraging greater private investment in rental housing.

Specifically, the Rental Housing Investment Act would,

• Allow builders to immediately deduct up to $150,000 per unit in construction costs, rather than depreciating those costs over 27.5 years.
• Provide an enhanced deduction of up to $250,000 per unit for projects that include income-restricted units reserved for working families. Projects receiving the enhanced benefit would be required to maintain attainability commitments for at least 15 years.
• Apply only to newly constructed multifamily rental housing, ensuring the incentive creates new supply.
   

Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) previously introduced companion legislation in the Senate.

Full text of the bill is available here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

WASHINGTON – U.S. Reps. Dina Titus (D-NV) and Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act to explicitly prohibit construction of President Trump’s proposed “Triumphal Arch” outside Arlington National Cemetery in Northern Virginia.  

Rep. Dina Titus, Co-Chair of the Congressional Humanities Caucus, who previously led challenges to the Trump Administration’s illegal schemes to fund the arch using the National Endowment for the Humanities budget, said:

“As President Trump strips away the necessary safety nets from Americans who are struggling to afford their basic needs like groceries and healthcare, he builds his unauthorized, grandiose Triumphal Arch. While destroying historical monuments and artifacts important to our American identity, he is erecting monuments to honor himself.

“I am fighting this abuse of taxpayer dollars with Congressman Beyer by introducing legislation that would clearly prohibit President Trump from using federal funds for pet projects like this one. The American people deserve a leader who is responsibly using federal funding for critical government services, not for self-promotion.”

Rep. Beyer who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery (ANC) said:

“Arlington National Cemetery is sacred ground, the resting place for some of our nation’s greatest heroes. It is unthinkable that we would desecrate this hallowed space to build a monument to Donald Trump’s ego.

“Trump’s vanity project would waste taxpayer money, brazenly violate existing law, and become yet another vehicle for his corruption. The Administration has also given no consideration to potential harmful effects on the region including impacts on air safety and traffic on major roadways.

“Worst of all, Trump is not trying to build this arch to commemorate national heroes, servicemembers who lie in Arlington National Cemetery, or to celebrate freedom. He did not dedicate it to the American people or our country’s greatness. Asked who this arch is for, Trump said, simply: ‘me.’ Congress must draw the line at dishonoring our fallen with such naked displays of narcissism, and I therefore call on all members of both parties to join our efforts to block this arch.”

Trump’s proposed arch is plainly illegal under the Commemorative Works Act, which requires congressional approval for memorials on federal land in or near Washington, DC. Underlining that the Arch is not approved by Congress as required by law, the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act would:

• Explicitly prohibit construction of a triumphal arch within Lady Bird Johnson Park, the small island between Arlington Memorial Cemetery and the Potomac River;
• Permanently prohibit the use of federal funds for such an arch; and
• Prohibit the construction of such an arch or similarly-disruptive and non-Congressionally approved structures on any National Park Service lands within the National Capital Region.

In addition to Titus and Beyer, the bill is cosponsored by Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC) and U.S. Representatives Robert Garcia (CA), Suhas Subramanyam (VA), Bobby Scott (VA), Dan Goldman (NY), Pramila Jayapal (WA), Steve Cohen (TN), Jasmine Crockett (TX), Danny Davis (IL), Dianna DeGette (CO), Lois Frankel (FL), John Larson (CT), Stephen Lynch (MA), Betty McCollum (MN), Morgan McGarvey (KY), Kevin Mullin (CA), Mike Quigley (IL), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA), Mark Takano (CA), Jill Tokuda (HI), Paul Tonko (NY), Rashida Tlaib (MI), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ).

Bill text is available here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

May 29, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — U.S. Representative Greg Steube (R-Fla.) introduced today the Law Enforcement Animal Safety Harm Reporting Act of 2026 or LEASH Act. This legislation would establish a standardized, publicly accessible database of felony animal cruelty offenders to help keep repeat abusers away from animals and strengthen public safety nationwide.
“Animal cruelty is a heinous crime that often signals a pattern of escalating violence,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “Florida has taken important steps to crack down on these crimes, and this legislation extends Florida’s model to better protect animals and help shelters place pets in safe homes.”
“Florida has proven to be a leader in legislation to prevent animal abuse.  We applaud and support the efforts of Congressman Steube in filing the LEASH Act, and the membership of the Florida Police Chiefs Association is hopeful that a nationwide animal abuse registry will track offenders, prevent future abuse and aide both law enforcement and the public.” – Chief Robert Bage, President of Florida Police Chiefs Association
“Animal cruelty is a serious crime, and law enforcement can help prevent repeated offenses to better protect animals and our communities through tools like public databases,” said Tracie Letterman, Vice President of Humane World Action Fund. “The LEASH Act is a commonsense measure to help ensure that people convicted of felony animal cruelty cannot evade scrutiny simply by crossing state lines. This voluntary program is a practical step Congress can take help to stop cruelty before it happens again.”
“The LEASH Act of 2026 gives another layer of protection for animals against abusers. This bill extends the work of Florida’s statewide aggravated animal cruelty database on the national stage. Florida’s database went live on January 1, 2026, but our work to protect the voiceless against the pain and suffering they endure from repeat animal cruelty offenders remains unfinished. The Ponce Animal Foundation applauds Congressman Steube for working to combat animal abuse and urges Congress and other states across the country to follow in Florida’s footsteps.” – Debbie Darino, President and Founder of The Ponce Animal Foundation
This legislation is also supported by the Florida Sheriffs Association. 
This bill is intended to strengthen enforcement against animal abuse, improve public awareness of felony animal cruelty offenders, and help prevent repeat offenders from continuing to own or care for animals.
The LEASH Act would add the identities of felony animal cruelty offenders to state crime reporting standards. The Department of Justice retains state-reported crime statistics through the Edward Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program. The LEASH Act would require the DOJ to publish abuser identities in a centralized, publicly accessibly database to help pet shelters and other organizations identify abusers before they own an animal ever again.
Background: Animal cruelty offenses are frequently associated with repeat offending and broader patterns of violent criminal behavior. Studies have shown particularly high recidivism rates among individuals convicted of animal hoarding and chronic abuse-related offenses.
Florida’s aggravated animal cruelty database officially went into effect on January 1, 2026. The LEASH Act builds on efforts already underway in states like Florida and Tennessee by establishing standardized nationwide reporting while allowing states flexibility in how information is collected and submitted.
Read the full bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, D.C.— On Thursday, the White House released a proposal that would give political appointees at federal science agencies the role of approving all scientific research awards. Funding approval has historically been determined by apolitical expert scientists to ensure awards are merit-based and without bias.  

“With this proposed regulation, American leadership in science is dealt a fatal blow,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren. “The Trump Administration has spent a year and a half undermining merit-based decision-making at federal science agencies. Still, they cry foul that oftentimes politically inconvenient science, disfavored institutions, and underrepresented researchers are awarded grant funding. With this plan they would put political appointees in control of decisions that should be made by expert scientists. This newest dystopian move would destroy what remains of merit-based review dealing a crippling blow to science.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

VIDEO from the Valley Memorial Day ceremonies is available here

SAN JOAQUIN COUNTY – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) delivered keynote addresses at Memorial Day Ceremonies across the Valley, including the Not Forgotten Memorial Day event in Manteca, as well as ceremonies at the World War II Memorial and Veterans of Foreign Wars event in Stockton. Harder joined Valley active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and their families in honoring and remembering the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

“Memorial Day is more than an opportunity to support members of our military and honor those who have made the ultimate sacrifice – this is an important reminder that we owe a debt of gratitude and service to those who gave everything to keep our country safe,” said Rep. Harder. “Ceremonies across the Valley today remind us how impactful their sacrifice continues to be, and I’m grateful for everyone who came out to show their support and remember those who could not be with us.”

California’s 9th Congressional District alone is home to nearly 30,000 veterans, and more than 160,000 active duty servicemembers call California their home. As a fifth-generation resident of the Valley whose grandfathers served in the armed forces, Harder is committed to ensuring servicemembers, veterans, and their families have the resources and support they have earned.

Harder was joined by representatives from local Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) posts, American Legion posts, and local elected officials. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Joyce Beatty introduced a resolution recognizing May as American Stroke Month to raise awareness about stroke prevention, treatment, and recovery. A stroke survivor herself, Congresswoman Beatty serves as Co-Chair of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition and has long advocated for increased education, prevention, and access to care.

The resolution highlights the importance of recognizing the warning signs of stroke using the B.E. F.A.S.T. method — Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech, Time — while also emphasizing the need for prevention efforts to address major risk factors such as high blood pressure. 

“This issue is deeply personal to me,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “I know firsthand how life-altering a stroke can be, not only for survivors, but for families too. No one should lose their life because they lacked access to information, preventive care, or timely treatment. Through awareness and education on early intervention, we can save lives.”

Stroke remains one of the leading causes of death and long-term disability in the United States, impacting nearly 800,000 Americans each year. The resolution also recognizes the work being done during American Stroke Month to educate communities about stroke prevention and improve health outcomes nationwide.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congresswoman Frederica Wilson announced she would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Throughout her entire career in public service, Congresswoman Frederica Wilson has been an unyielding champion of our children, a defender of the disadvantaged and a voice for the voiceless.

Rep. Wilson’s deep roots serving the community began as an educator and elementary school principal, eventually earning a position on the School Board and later in the Florida State House and Senate. During her tenure on the School Board, Frederica launched the 5000 Role Models of Excellence Project, a nationally recognized example of incredible community leadership dedicated to empowering young men through mentorship, purpose and pathways to future opportunity. Thirty years after its founding, the 5000 Role Models family counts mayors, professional athletes and entrepreneurs within its ranks. I am proud to be a Role Model and to have had the opportunity to support this transformative program over the years.

For more than a decade in the United States House of Representatives,  Frederica Wilson has been a relentless advocate for our young people, fighting to increase economic growth, create jobs and lower costs for working families. Congresswoman Wilson forced our government to confront and begin to address the unique racial inequities persistent across our communities through her landmark bipartisan legislation to create the Commission on the Social Status of Black Men and Boys. 

The House Democratic Caucus will deeply miss Rep. Wilson and her iconic hats—more than just her signature style, they represent her many roles throughout a lifetime of service. We are forever indebted to her for her tenacity, and we wish her and her family the very best in this next chapter.

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