MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Judge says Trump has no broad authority to make White House changes without Congressional approval

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey Visits Prairieland Detention Center,

March 31, 2026

This visit comes following reports of concerning conditions of the facility and treatment of detainees

Alvarado, Texas — Today, Congressman Marc Veasey (TX-33) visited the Prairieland detention center. This oversight visit comes following the recent reports of detainees who have been denied medical care and aid. During the visit, Congressman Veasey raised serious concerns about the overall conditions inside the facility, including access to adequate medical care, transparency in operations, and the humane treatment of detainees. While detention facilities are expected to meet federal standards, it is critical that oversight remains strong and that these standards are consistently upheld. “This visit is about far more than what we may or may not see inside these walls—it is about demanding accountability at every level of our immigration system,” said Congressman Veasey. “We have a responsibility, not just as lawmakers but as human beings, to ensure that the dignity and rights of every person in custody are respected. We cannot turn away, and we cannot ignore the humanitarian implications of what is happening inside these facilities. Silence in the face of suffering is not an option. Oversight is not optional—it is our duty. And the American people deserve transparency, truth, and accountability.” Following the oversight tour, Congressman Veasey convened a roundtable with community stakeholders, local leaders, and advocates to discuss these serious concerns and identify steps toward strengthening oversight.

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement:

Donald Trump and Republicans know that the American people have had enough of their extremism, disastrous policies and chaos. Voters are ready to take our country back in November. Instead of working to make life more affordable, Republican extremists are determined to make it harder for people to vote so they can desperately cling to power.

The executive order signed by Donald Trump is an unlawful power grab by a failing President designed to bolster the do-nothing Republican Congress. This action would allow the administration to unilaterally determine who is allowed to vote, subject state election officials to unnecessary investigations meant to intimidate those who oppose their voter suppression agenda and risk the privacy of millions of law-abiding Americans. It will make voting unnecessarily difficult for women, communities of color, young people, individuals with disabilities and older Americans.

On January 6, 2021, Donald Trump unleashed a violent mob on the United States Capitol to overturn the results of the 2020 election and disrupt the peaceful transfer of power for the first time in American history. He has now made the so-called SAVE Act the top priority of the Republican Congress, in part because he and his sycophants think the affordability crisis is a hoax.

Generations have fought and died to protect the right to vote. It is sacred and central to our democracy. These unhinged efforts to rip away our rights will not prevail. The Constitution is clear. Donald Trump has no power to change the way states conduct their elections. We will fight back against this desperate Republican scheme to take over our free and fair elections and end the era of voter suppression in America once and for all. 

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

Today, U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03) expressed their concerns over encroachments on religious freedom amid the start of Easter Week. In a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers urged the State Department to ensure foreign governments, particularly our allies, closely consult with the United States as decisions are made regarding access to holy sites for people of faith during religious holidays.

The effort follows an incident in Jerusalem at the start of Easter Week where Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and a small group of other Catholic clergy were blocked by Israeli Authorities from celebrating the start of Easter Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where according to Christian tradition it is believed that Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This was the first time in centuries that the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church. 

“In a moment already marked by tension and conflict, protecting places like this is not just about one faith, but about safeguarding shared symbols of history, humanity, and coexistence for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. They become more important than ever in these times. And should serve as a reminder of the shared values of all faiths,” the lawmakers said in their letter. 

The decision to block services drew strong condemnation from many as a violation of religious freedom. Following a public outcry, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu altered the restrictions to permit access for “representatives of the Churches” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the remainder of Holy Week. However, other key holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, remain closed to worshipers.

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

Dear Secretary Rubio, 

This letter is regarding the concerning reports that access to holy sites in Jerusalem was restricted by the Israeli government as Holy Week began.

On Palm Sunday, March 29th, 2026, Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa and a small group of other Catholic clergy were blocked by Israeli Authorities from celebrating the start of Easter Week at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, where according to Christian tradition it is believed Jesus was crucified and resurrected. This was the first time in centuries that the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the Church. This site holds profound significance not only for Catholics and other Christians—who commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus—but also for Jews and Muslims, for whom Jerusalem is a sacred and shared spiritual center. The decision to block services drew strong condemnation from many as a violation of religious freedom, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni describing it as “an affront not only to believers but to any community that upholds religious freedom”.

On March 30th, in response to the many concerns raised, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu altered the restrictions to permit access for “representatives of the Churches” to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the remainder of Holy Week.  However, other key holy sites, including the Al-Aqsa Mosque and the Western Wall, remain closed to worshipers. While security concerns in Jerusalem are real and must be taken seriously, they should be addressed in ways that uphold—not restrict—religious freedom and dignity.

Pope Francis and now Pope Leo have repeatedly expressed concern about preserving access to holy sites and protecting the rights of worshippers, underscoring the importance of maintaining their historic importance and ensuring that sacred spaces remain open and respected. In a moment already marked by tension and conflict, protecting places like this is not just about one faith, but about safeguarding shared symbols of history, humanity, and coexistence for Christians, Jews, and Muslims alike. They become more important than ever in these times. And should serve as a reminder of the shared values of all faiths.

We urge the State Department to ensure the Israeli government closely consults with you as these decisions are made and strongly uphold access to these deeply holy sites during sacred moments.

In light of these restrictions on religious freedom, we respectfully request a response to the following questions within the next two weeks:

•Did the Israeli government consult with the United States prior to restricting access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and other holy sites during religious holidays?

•Has the State Department expressed concerns to Israel regarding potential infringements on religious freedom related to these restrictions?

•Is the State Department taking action to ensure that access to holy sites in Jerusalem is preserved for religious observances?

Thank you for your attention to this matter and we look forward to your prompt response.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) today blasted the Trump Administration’s latest proposal to weaken endangered species protections in the Gulf of Mexico to benefit Big Oil. Castor warned that the move risks repeating the costly damage of past disasters while doing nothing to lower prices for Americans already facing rising costs driven by the Trump Administration’s policies.

“The Trump Administration is once again bending over backward for polluters at the expense of Florida’s families, our ocean wildlife, and the coastal economy that depends on clean water and healthy beaches. The so‑called ‘God Squad’ proposal to dismantle endangered species protections is reckless, dangerous, and costly. Floridians remember the billions in damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon disaster—we refuse to let history repeat itself.

“This proposal will do nothing to address the high prices families are paying at the pump as a result of Trump’s war in Iran. Big Oil already sits on thousands of unused leases and receives billions in taxpayer subsidies. They don’t need another giveaway—especially when Trump’s policies are already making life more expensive for hardworking Americans. I will continue fighting to permanently ban drilling in the Eastern Gulf and protect our coastal way of life.

“The Gulf is central to life in Tampa Bay—supporting tourism, national security, and the livelihoods of families across our region and down Florida’s coast. Weakening these protections is a direct threat to our pocketbooks at a time when people are already being squeezed by Trump’s policies. Despite bipartisan efforts and overwhelming public support to keep drilling away from Florida’s shores, President Trump continues to put our communities at risk, selling off our treasured lands and waterways to the highest bidder.”

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

MEDLEY, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, is pleased to invite members of the media to attend a check presentation ceremony on Wednesday, April 1, at 3:00 p.m.

The event will celebrate the $1,200,000 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Diaz-Balart for the Town of Medley to upgrade its wastewater pump stations.

These improvements will help mitigate future flooding and reduce the risk of operational hazards. Furthermore, it will improve public safety, health, and drainage and support more efficient traffic flow, while facilitating emergency evacuations and improving connectivity for the transportation of goods and heavy equipment in the area.

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

WHAT: Check Presentation Ceremony 

WHO:

• Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Delegation
• Mayor Ana Stefano
• Vice Mayor Arturo Jinete
• Members of the Town of Medley Council

WHEN:

Wednesday, April 01, 2026 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE:

7700 NW 69th Avenue

Medley, FL 33166

All interested credentialed media may RSVP to Andrea.Morales@mail.house.gov

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Ami Bera, MD (CA-06), Llyod Doggett (TX-35), Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), and Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08) led a letter along with 28 of their colleagues urging leadership of the House Appropriations Committee to repeal the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ (CMS) Wasteful and Inappropriate Service Reduction (WISeR) Model, or any related prior authorization model, from traditional Medicare in the upcoming federal funding process.

Starting this January, CMS began implementing WISeR in New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Arizona, and Washington. The model pays private companies to use AI to approve or deny essential medical services and devices, including for Parkinson’s, chronic pain, sleep apnea, and wound care. These companies are paid a percentage of the value of the services they deny, creating a clear incentive to deny care.

“While prior authorization is often described as a cost-containment strategy, in practice it increases provider burden, takes time away from patients, limits patients’ access to life-saving care, and creates unnecessary administrative burden,” the lawmakers wrote.

Unlike Medicare Advantage, traditional Medicare rarely requires prior authorization. For patients with traditional Medicare, treatments are determined by doctors and not by insurance companies. The use of prior authorization has steadily increased, with Medicare Advantage insurers making roughly 50 million prior authorization determinations in 2023. Ultimately, over 80% of denials are overturned on average.

“Prior authorization has long been abused. It is bad for patients and providers. The WISeR Model only perpetuates the harm that prior authorizations can cause,” the lawmakers continued.

Implementing the WISeR Model for traditional Medicare had already started putting beneficiaries at greater risk of having needed care and treatments denied. A recent Seattle Times story documents how Washington seniors are having pain care denied and forced to suffer while their prior authorization is processed.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata welcomed official notice of a $400,000 grant from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for American Samoa Power Authority (ASPA) to replace two aging diesel trucks with modern utility diesel trucks that fulfill EPA requirements, lower emissions, and improve fuel efficiency.

Pictured with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin, Rep. Amata’s former colleague in Congress

“Congratulations to Governor Pulaali’i, Lt. Governor Pulu, and the dedicated team at ASPA. Thank you for these efforts to secure the grant and fulfill EPA requirements with new equipment to provide maintenance for our people. Thank you to EPA, and my friend and former colleague Administrator Lee Zeldin, for supporting services in American Samoa, including a major announcement just few days ago of over $30 million for water infrastructure projects,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. 

Congressional authorization for these funds is from the Diesel Emission Reduction Act (DERA) through the DERA National Grants assistance program which enables projects in the National Clean Diesel Program – Class 7 Truck Replacements, including documentation of scrapping the old trucks. 

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