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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Huizenga Statement on Coordinated Strike Against Terrorists, Protecting Christians in Nigeria

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Yesterday, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (D-MI) introduced H.R. 6720, the Fostering the Availability in Rural Markets of (FARM) Home Loans Act of 2025. This bipartisan legislation would improve housing affordability in rural communities. By updating the numerical definition of what constitutes a rural community – raising it from a population of 2,500 to 10,000 – this bill will provide Southwest Michigan residents greater accessibility to affordable financing options.

“Whether it’s a farm operating loan or a home loan, having access to capital through the Farm Credit System is critical for communities across rural areas of Southwest Michigan,” said Congressman Huizenga. “The FARM Home Loans Act modernizes outdated financing options for Michiganders who proudly fuel and depend on agricultural production. Updating this one-size-fits-all statute will spur economic growth and job creation in rural areas, while improving housing options in agricultural communities.”

“Buying a home is one of the great promises of the American Dream, but for too many, that promise is out of reach. We need to fix the housing crisis and break down the barriers that hold rural families back,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Our bill will make thousands of American homes eligible for farm credit loans, bringing those families one step closer to making their dream of homeownership a reality.”

The FARM Home Loans Act has garnered support from organizations critical to the agriculture community.

“We appreciate Congresswoman Kristen McDonald‑Rivet and Congressman Bill Huizenga for championing and introducing Farm Credit’s FARM Home Loans Act,” said Travis Jones, CEO of GreenStone Farm Credit Services. “This effort will help deliver attainable, quality housing in rural communities and support the people and businesses that want to live, work, and raise their families in rural communities.”

“Farm Credit Council thanks Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet and Bill Huizenga for introducing this important legislation. Finding a lender to purchase a home in a rural community is often difficult because of the unique qualities of rural properties,” said Christy Seyfert, President and CEO of the Farm Credit Council. “Allowing Farm Credit to serve the credit needs of home buyers in rural communities with populations of up to 10,000 will ensure more Americans are able to move to or remain in rural areas which will ensure the continued vitality of rural communities.” 

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

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today led 19 of her House colleagues in writing to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin urging the agency not to narrow the scope of PFAS reporting and recordkeeping under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA), as the agency has proposed.

“When finalized in October 2023, the PFAS reporting rule marked a milestone in the federal government’s actions to address the PFAS contamination crisis. For the first time, manufacturers and importers were required to provide comprehensive information to EPA about PFAS manufactured or imported between 2011 and 2022, including data on uses, production volumes, byproducts, exposures, and existing information on health and environmental effects,” the lawmakers write. “This rule was designed to close information gaps that have hindered industry’s accountability to the public and EPA’s ability to understand the full scope of PFAS contamination and protect public health.”

“This EPA proposal to roll back these key provisions is deeply troubling. The proposed exemptions, which cover imported articles, PFAS in mixtures or products at concentrations of 0.1 percent or lower, certain byproducts and impurities, non-isolated intermediates, and chemicals used in research and development, would exclude large portions of PFAS manufacturing, and import activity from public reporting,” the lawmakers continue. “By allowing such exemptions, EPA is eroding the 2023 rule and depriving both regulators and communities of critical data on the presence and use of PFAS in consumer products, industrial supply chains, and our environment.”

“As you know, PFAS contamination is prevalent in communities nationwide, and research continues to show links between PFAS exposure and cancer, liver damage, immune suppression, and developmental harm. Transparency about where PFAS are being used, produced, or imported is necessary to prevent further harm. Weakening these reporting requirements would only serve to further industry’s strategy of hiding information from communities and regulators and ensure that working families continue to grapple with harms as a result of PFAS exposure,” the lawmakers conclude. “We urge EPA to reconsider this recent proposal and maintain the rule promulgated in 2023. The 2023 PFAS reporting rule provided a foundation for informed, science-based decision-making and reflected the commitment of Congress and EPA to tackle PFAS contamination head-on. Rolling back these standards will undercut years of progress and weaken an essential tool to understand and control PFAS exposure.”

View the full text of the letter here.

The letter is signed by Representatives Raja Krishnamoorthi, André Carson, Troy A. Carter, Sr.

Ted W. Lieu, Henry C. “Hank” Johnson, Jr., Mike Quigley, Rashida Tlaib, Madeleine Dean, Jared Huffman, Steve Cohen, Haley M. Stevens, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chellie Pingree, Brittany Pettersen, Diana DeGette, LaMonica McIver, Darren Soto, Nanette Diaz Barragán, and John B. Larson.

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

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) today sent the following letter to Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi, expressing concern and demanding answers from the company regarding its response to reports of sexual assault and harassment by its users. This letter comes as a follow-up to a September letter and subsequent meeting,dUber staff provided explanations that do not align with public reporting. 

A New York Times investigation showed that Uber received a report of sexual assault or misconduct on average every 8 minutes between 2017 and 2022, a total of 400,181 reports. Additional reporting by the Times revealed further details about how the company’s background checks often fail to remove potentially dangerous drivers and how their reporting systems fail to accurately detect dangerous patterns of behavior.

“The Times’ December reports shine a light on Uber’s background check policies and emphasize that despite Uber’s claim that all drivers have passed a background check, their “system approves people with many types of criminal convictions, including violent felonies”,” Dingell writes. “While crimes like murder, sexual assault, kidnapping, and terrorism result in immediate rejection, in many states Uber approves people with other convictions including child abuse, assault, and stalking, provided the convictions are at least seven years old. Most of the checks in these states only include reports based on where the person has lived in the past seven years, meaning they could miss a serious crime committed elsewhere or even in a different country could go unaccounted for. Notably, Uber has chosen to limit criteria that could disqualify potential drivers in the interest of recruiting more drivers and keeping their costs down.”

“These reports cite multiple serious incidents of sexual assault where a driver had either been reported multiple times, had previous convictions that fell outside of the seven-year window, or recently faced an arrest, which is not cause for disqualification, for sexual misconduct” Dingell continues. “It is worth noting that the issue of downplaying certain “non-physical behaviors” was raised in a previous meeting with myself and with and representatives from Uber, who agreed that their process to track these behaviors could be strengthened. Despite both public and private claims about their commitment to safety, Uber has lobbied against proposed state laws that would require enhanced safety measures. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than a third of people arrested on rape charges had at least one prior felony conviction. This seven-year window is not appropriately serving Uber’s passengers, as evidenced by the devastating incidents laid out in these reports.”

“It is extremely disturbing that Uber’s failure to make appropriate updates to policy and take meaningful action at several critical points to protect the company’s image and bottom line has led to assaults that could have been prevented” Dingell concludes. “There is no tradeoff that should be acceptable to Uber, considering the devastating impact of sexual assault. Beyond immediate physical impacts like injuries, sexually transmitted infections, and pregnancy, there are often long-term psychological impacts, such as depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts. These long-term impacts can affect every aspect of a survivor’s life, including employment, education, personal relationships, and even the ability to complete everyday tasks.”

Dingell requested a follow-up meeting with Uber, and answers to the following questions: 

1. As mentioned in this letter, Uber answered questions from Representative Dingell on how “patterns of behavior” could lead to a driver’s deactivation, and that Uberencourages users to report troubling incidents. Yet many of the stories reported by The Times contradict the idea that patterns of alarming behavior led to deactivation. 
   • How can Uber claim that reporting is a valuable safety tool that users should utilize if reports are not taken seriously until it is too late? 
   • How is Uber working to improve their standards for what constitutes a “pattern of behavior” to enhance their oversight over potentially dangerous drivers? 
   • Uber claims to receive many “one-word or extremely vague reports” that make it difficult to understand what happened. Does the company follow up with reports that may be vague but include key words that identify a troubling pattern of behavior? 
2. Complaints that Uber deems “less serious” are typically not investigated by an Uberemployee, and the reported drivers receive warnings and trainings they are not required to acknowledge or complete. How do you plan to strengthen this policy to ensure that drivers acknowledge that their conduct was reporting, and that appropriate training has been completed? 
3. The Times reporting states that Uber’s “system is also complicated by fraudulent complaints that Uber receives from passengers seeking a free ride, making it hard for the company to filter for legitimate warning signs, current and former employees said in interviews.” Similar to how Uber tracks driver’s patterns of behavior, is there not a method to track this pattern of behavior in passengers to ensure the legitimacy of their reports?
4. Uber has a separate service for teens to use, which has different safety standards from the regular version of Uber. 
   • How do standards for the teen service differ from the service intended for those over the age of 18? 
   • What training does a driver receive to respond to an incident where a minor is able to bypass safeguards and utilize the version of Uber intended for adults without appropriate supervision? 
   • Why are the standards for Uber’s teen service, including the requirement for drivers to have no reports of sexual misconduct whatsoever, not applied for all Uber users? 
5. According to Uber, passengers only rate about 46 percent of trips, leaving an incomplete picture of the quality of rides nationwide. Do you have strategies in place to increase the number of ratings to ensure that Uber has a full picture of the quality of rides on the platform? 

View the full text of the letter here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) released the following statement on the passing of Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-Calif.):“I’m devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Doug LaMalfa. Doug faithfully served the people of California in the State Assembly and the State Senate before being elected to the U.S. House in 2012.“A fourth generation rice farmer, he fought passionately for the region’s agricultural community and small businesses, and in 2024 was elected Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus, which focuses on the priorities of Western and rural America. He also worked to bolster disaster recovery efforts and funding for rural schools.“Doug was a hardworking team player and happy warrior, known to spread joy throughout Capitol Hill with his famous LaMaffles. Doug will be deeply missed.“My prayers are with his wife, Jill, and his family.”

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

Washington, D.C – Following President Trump’s call-to-action and redesignation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) recently led a bipartisan delegation to Nigeria for an on-the-ground fact-finding mission to examine alarming anti-Christian violence and religious persecution. Members of the Committee – including Republican Representatives Scott Franklin (R-FL), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), and Riley Moore (R-WV) – heard directly from Nigerian victims of violence, the government, and from faith and local organizations, which informed the formation of congressional recommendations to the White House. These recommendations will focus on protecting innocent lives, supporting security and economic stability, safeguarding religious liberty, and destroying jihadist terrorist networks.

U.S. Ambassador Country Briefing: The delegation received a country team briefing from the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria, which included an overview of the escalating religious violence and threats in the Middle Belt. The U.S. embassy noted how President Trump’s recent impactful designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern has renewed attention and created urgency to press the Nigerian government to take tangible steps to reduce violence, especially threats and attacks against Christians, and better safeguard religious freedom; address insecurity and improve the recruitment and deployment of trained police; enhance counterterrorism efforts and security operations targeting radical Islamic terrorist groups, a crucial component to U.S. security; and further enhance the U.S.-Nigerian partnership on security, diplomatic, and economic issues.

Governor of Benue State: Members traveled to Benue State, in the Middle Belt region of Nigeria, where Christians are vulnerable to record-breaking violence and killings, leading to a surge in the number of internally displaced people (IDP) – those who’ve been forced to flee their homes by conflict, violence, persecution, or disasters. There, they met with Reverend Father Dr. Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue State, and local officials to discuss the escalating attacks against Christians. The lawmakers expressed deep concern with the numerous mass casualty events, the rising threats against Christians and farming communities, and the increasing displacement of people from their homes. Members discussed their ideas to curb violence and hold perpetrators accountable, including early warning systems, improved prosecutorial capacities, and security sector reforms. The group also heard how ongoing instability has opened the door to hostile foreign exploitation. Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-backed mining networks – aided by local collaborators and armed terrorists – are violently clearing Christian farming communities and villages to steal oil and rare earth minerals. Terror is fueling predatory extraction that enriches the CCP while everyday Nigerians suffer.

Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation: Benue State remains the most dangerous state in which to be a Christian. Rampant attacks have deprived thousands of people of their rights to life, religious liberty, and the pursuit of livelihoods. In a session with Josephine Habba, the Director General of the Benue State Commission for Peace and Reconciliation, Members learned about efforts to build bridges among community members, government, and security forces, and prevent conflict. Members directed further discussion on how the United States can help Nigeria build the capacity to stop violence specifically targeting Christian communities and ensure perpetrators are held accountable. The government’s accountability failures and poor response to communities facing rising violence have eroded public trust as well as emboldened even more attacks. The resulting humanitarian fallout has driven the displacement of more than 500,000 people since 2024 alone, with families pushed into overcrowded, under-resourced IDP camps.

Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ayatse: Bishop Wilfred Anagbe, Bishop Isaac Dugu, and His Royal Highness James Ayatse reiterated what the violence and massacres have shown: Nigeria is the most dangerous nation on Earth to follow Christ. For simply practicing their faith, Christians are kidnapped, attacked, and slaughtered. These religious leaders underscored how Fulani militants lead killings against Christians. They target churches, clergy, children and families, religious minorities, and land resources. The Fulani militants drive innocent people out of their homes and villages, and they surveil these areas – attacking anyone who dares come back and committing untold atrocities. Fulani militant and bandit groups are seizing land and resources and obstructing religious freedom to exert control and coerce conversion to Islam. Fulani militants have destroyed entire communities and displaced thousands, sowing fear and terror among Christians in the Middle Belt. The consensus remains that government has failed to confront both the scale and the intent of these atrocities.

Faith Leaders Roundtable: Bishop Anagbe also assembled faith leaders and academics from across Benue State to offer candid, firsthand perspectives on current conditions. Participants underscored the most meaningful changes in years have come from President Trump’s CPC announcement. The designation renewed the Nigerian government’s attention and generated meaningful political will to take action. They emphasized the White House’s action came at a critical time. Participants affirmed U.S. attention is critical to reaching a durable end to the violence to secure the lives and livelihoods of the Nigerian people. Nigerians emphasized they want sustained American diplomatic pressure to encourage their government to act to stop deliberate killings and kidnappings, confront jihadist threats from ISIS-WA and Boko Haram, and ensure displaced people can safely return to their homes and worship freely. The congressional delegation emphasized that religious freedom and liberty are core American values and reaffirmed the importance of strengthening security coordination to dismantle radical extremist groups such as ISIS-WA and Boko Haram. Members stressed that confronting these threats is essential not only to Nigeria’s stability, but to the regional security of West Africa and the safety of the U.S. homeland. The delegation also noted that the United States maintains a trade surplus with Nigeria, and that greater stability would further expand economic ties and shared prosperity.

Victims of Violence, Internally Displaced People: In what was the most heart-wrenching and emotional visit of the trip, victims of the violence shared their harrowing stories. One woman was forced to watch as her husband and five children were killed. As she spoke, she held the baby she was carrying when she fled and miraculously survived. Tragically, stories of massacred families and murdered children are not isolated incidents. Survivor after survivor recounted similar experiences, bearing both visible wounds and deep trauma. Forced from their homes, they now live in overcrowded IDP camps. The fear of generational eradication is real, and the loss of ancestral villages and homes represents the deliberate unraveling of families, faith, and future generations. Defending religious liberty worldwide is both a moral duty and a vital American interest. The Members emphasized that humanity guided this trip, informed the Trump Administration’s actions, and will remain at the core of the recommendations that follow.

Humanitarian Relief, Crisis Response: Religious persecution and violence in Nigeria are fueling a severe humanitarian crisis. The Members met with UNHCR, Caritas, and World Food Program personnel to discuss mounting displacement and rapidly escalating humanitarian needs. Insecurity across the country is decimating productivity and destroying livelihoods – villages are empty, Fulani militants are seizing farmland, and the government’s failure to protect its people has eroded public trust. While humanitarian assistance and targeted interventions are saving lives, IDP camps are increasingly permanent settlements rather than temporary refuge. The broad consensus is that the Nigerian government must do more to confront the drivers of violence, restore security, and ensure displaced families can safely return home and rebuild their lives. Participants underscored the generosity of the United States and emphasized that President Trump’s CPC designation elevated international attention, applied meaningful pressure, and catalyzed overdue action by Nigerian authorities.

National Security Advisor: Radical Islamic terrorist organizations such as ISIS-West Africa, Boko Haram, and Fulani militant groups are driving instability and violence across Nigeria. Their activities threaten civilian populations, suppress religious freedom, and sustain extremist networks that pose broader regional and U.S. security risks. Nigerian National Security Advisor Nuhu Ribadu stressed that added action to protect vulnerable Christians and communities is a priority. President Trump’s CPC designation spurred concrete government action, including President Bola Tinubu’s declaration of a nationwide security emergency, the planned recruitment of 50,000 additional police officers, and the reassignment of officers from VIP protection to frontline duties to strengthen on-the-ground capabilities. The United States is also providing Nigerian forces with intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance support to counter insurgent and terrorist threats. Addressing the horrific and escalating violence against Christians and vulnerable communities in Nigeria will support stability in the region and counter violent extremism, a threat to Nigeria and the United States.

This fact-finding mission builds on sustained oversight by the House Appropriations Committee and reinforces a clear conclusion: defending humanity, protecting religious freedom, and confronting violent extremism are inseparable from U.S. national security interests. The delegation’s findings will inform a formal set of recommendations to the White House focused on strengthening the U.S.–Nigerian partnership in ways that deliver greater security and stability, safeguard freedom and religious liberty, promote economic growth, and dismantle terrorist networks.

While returning to the United States, Members learned that 100 kidnapped girls had been released – an encouraging development that highlights both the human stakes of this crisis and the impact of enduring American engagement and leadership. Furthermore, the mission underscored the urgent need to enact full-year funding bills to restore responsive and good governance and appropriately address these emergent national security crises. Appropriators will ensure the FY26 bill reinforces President Trump’s Country of Particular Concern designation, prioritizes religious freedom and atrocity response initiatives, and advances core national security priorities.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued this statement marking four years since the January 6th insurrection:

“Five years ago today, the United States Capitol was attacked in a violent insurrection incited by the President of the United States for one purpose: to overturn a free and fair election and cling to power in clear violation of the Constitution. January 6th was not an aberration and it was not spontaneous. It was the culmination of a sustained assault on truth, on the rule of law, and one of the most sacred principles of our democracy: the peaceful transfer of power.
 
“On that day, Members of Congress, staff, and journalists were hunted and forced to flee for their lives as the halls of Congress were desecrated. Law enforcement officers were beaten, crushed, and scarred—physically and psychologically—while defending the seat of American democracy. Some paid the ultimate price. We honor the extraordinary bravery and sacrifice of the U.S. Capitol Police and the law enforcement officers who stood their ground so that the work of democracy could continue.
 
“We must speak plainly: January 6th was an attempted coup. It was an effort to nullify millions of lawful votes and subvert the will of the American people. But the attack failed because of the courage of public servants who gave proof through the night that our flag was still there by refusing to bend to pressure, threats, or intimidation. On that day, the Constitution held and we kept the Republic.
 
“Yet the danger did not end when the Capitol was secured. The same falsehoods that ignited the violence on that day continue to be spread. The same contempt for democratic norms continues to corrode our Republic. There is an ongoing effort to rewrite history, excuse the inexcusable, and glorify those who attacked our democracy — including with blanket pardons which sanitize an attack on the Constitution itself and endorse lawlessness. The American people must remain vigilant that those who seek to forget, minimize, or excuse January 6th invite its repetition.
 
“On this fifth anniversary, remembrance alone is not enough. We have a responsibility to defend democracy with clarity and resolve: to protect the right to vote, to uphold the rule of law, to reject political violence in all its forms, and to demand accountability for those who would place themselves above the Constitution. The strength of our democracy lies in our willingness to confront the threats against it.
 
“January 6th stands as a stark warning and a solemn charge. We must choose truth over lies, courage over cowardice, and democracy over autocracy. The future of our Republic depends on it.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

“Venezuela is ruled by an illegitimate regime, but the Trump Administration has not made the case that an urgent threat to America’s national security existed to justify the use of U.S. military force. President Trump has made no secret of his intentions to effectively abolish the Congress, and that pattern continues today with his flagrant disregard for the Article One war powers of Congress which is essential to our constitutional system of checks and balances.

“If the President grounds his actions on the basis of drug trafficking charges, it is entirely hypocritical in light of his recent pardon of former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández who was responsible for bringing more than 400 tons of cocaine in the United States in order to ‘shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos.’ The Administration says Maduro will be tried for drug trafficking in a U.S. court — but Hernández was convicted of the same crimes by an American jury and Trump pardoned him. 

“Congress must be fully and immediately briefed on the strikes and regime change in Venezuela, the objectives and extent of this operation, and how the Administration intends to prevent further regional fallout.”

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press event with Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and House and Senate Members, where they marked five years since the deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021 and honored those whose lives were lost.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good evening. Thank you, Leader Schumer, Speaker Emerita Pelosi, to the Sicknick and Smith family and to all of my colleagues who are present.

Today, we gather here on the steps of the United States Congress, the citadel of our democracy, to commemorate the solemn five-year anniversary of the violent insurrection incited by Donald Trump to overturn the results of a free and fair election. On that fateful day, hundreds of brave, courageous and dedicated Capitol Police and DC officers stood on these very steps and across the Capitol grounds to defend the Congress, the country and the Constitution. They were outnumbered by a violent mob, but never overwhelmed by the seriousness of the moment.

For more than five hours, they were forced to engage in hand-to-hand combat, confronting thousands of bloodthirsty rioters who were unleashed by Donald Trump. They were beaten with pipes, whipped, assaulted by bear spray and pummeled by Confederate flagpoles. They were bloodied but unbowed. We owe these heroes an eternal debt of gratitude and will never forget their service and their sacrifice.

Had it not been for their bravery on that fateful day, many of us would not be alive right now standing on these Capitol steps, continuing to serve our nation. And I have a simple message for the violent mob of insurrectionists: Donald Trump may have pardoned your crimes, but only God can pardon your sin. James Baldwin once made the observation that history ‘is not merely something to be read and it does not refer merely or even principally to the past. On the contrary, the great force of history comes from the fact that we carry it within us, are unconsciously controlled by it…and history is literally present in all that we do…it is to history that we owe our frames of reference, our identities and our aspirations.’

We gather here today because we are still living the history of January 6th and we will never allow it to be whitewashed. We thank the heroes of January 6th. We remember those whose lives were lost, aspire to be a better nation and make clear to the election deniers that we will never allow a violent insurrection to take place on American soil again.

Today we are joined by the families of officers Brian Sicknick and Jeffrey Smith. Gladys, Ken and Aaron, thank you so much for your presence here today and for your continued strength and patriotism.

Now I ask everyone to join us in a moment of silence, to remember those whose lives were lost as a result of the tragic and horrific events of January 6, 2021.

[…]

May God bless those whose lives have been lost, their families, Capitol police, members of law enforcement and may God continue to bless the United States of America.

Full event can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

PACIFIC PALISADES, CA — On the one-year anniversary of the January 2025 Palisades Fire, Congressman Brad Sherman issued the following statement reflecting on the impact to Pacific Palisades, the federal response, and the continued need for disaster recovery funding:

“One year ago, the Palisades Fire tore through Pacific Palisades, destroying homes, displacing families, and permanently changing our community. The damage was swift, devastating, and deeply personal for many throughout our communities.

Because of decisions made during the Biden Administration, the federal government has expended $7 billion to respond to the Los Angeles-area wildfires so far. That funding helped clear debris, provide temporary housing, and give Palisades families a real chance to begin rebuilding. Unlocked by President Biden’s initial disaster declaration, many more billions of federal dollars are expected to come in the near future, to support the state’s infrastructure rebuilding projects.

Unless Trump closes the door, California expects to receive approximately $15 billion for rebuilding. However, we need a Supplemental Appropriation to increase the grants to underinsured homeowners. 

The Trump Administration has signaled to congressional Republicans that at this time it does not support a supplemental disaster appropriation to provide additional assistance directly to families and businesses — not for Southern Californians, not for Texans and Wisconsinites impacted by severe flooding, and not for residents of other states hit by major disasters in 2025.

Natural disasters do not recognize state borders or political parties. Abandoning communities still recovering from catastrophe, including here in the Palisades, is wrong and short-sighted.

I am proud that C-130J Super Hercules firefighting aircraft I secured years ago for the California National Guard helped protect lives and property in the Palisades. Preparedness saves lives.

One year later, Pacific Palisades continues to rebuild. I will keep fighting to make sure our community is not forgotten and that the federal government meets its responsibility to stand with Americans when disaster strikes.”

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