MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)

LAFAYETTE, LA – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) released a statement following the Department of the Interior’s (DOI) announcement of a record $460.9 million in energy revenue to the Gulf states, with more than $203.7 million being delivered to Louisiana. 

The State will administer $162,989,700.89, and additional funds will be distributed across 19 parishes. Parishes in Louisiana’s 3rd District will receive the following disbursements:

• Calcasieu Parish – $2,204,702.91
• Cameron Parish – $2,730,987.49
• Iberia Parish – $2,107,679.60
• Lafourche Parish – $2,101,385.70
• St. Martin Parish – $1,503,086.07
• St. Mary Parish – $1,747,773.68
• Terrebonne Parish – $3,073,801.57
• Vermilion Parish – $2,100,436.77

Congressman Higgins voted for The Working Families Tax Cut, which included language to raise the annual Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA) revenue-sharing cap from $500 million to $650 million. As a result of the new law, Louisiana’s share of energy revenues was about $47 million higher for fiscal year 2025. 

“My office has long-supported GOMESA and worked with other members of the Louisiana delegation to expand revenue-sharing for our state. The program is a crucial funding mechanism for coastal restoration and mitigation efforts,” said Rep. Higgins. “Because of the Working Families Tax Cut, Louisiana is seeing a record distribution of offshore energy revenues to be invested back into our coastal communities.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21)

Frankel Statement on Pending House Department of Homeland Security Bill

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) delivered $1,700,000 in Community Project Funding to Westville Fire Department and Borough of Magnolia to improve fire safety in South Jersey. $900,000 in federal funding was awarded to Westville Fire District for a new rescue pumper and $822,000 will be presented to Magnolia Fire Company to purchase a new fire engine. 

“Our firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our community safe and ensuring they have the tools they need to respond quickly and safely is crucial,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “This investment is needed now more than ever before, when the Trump Administration has made major cuts to federal grant programs across the country, so I couldn’t think of a better time for this funding to come through. Together, we are helping Westville and Magnolia replace aging equipment so our firefighters can continue keeping our residents safe.” 

“The Borough Council and I are grateful to share that the Borough of Magnolia has been awarded $822,000 in federal funding to support the purchase of a new fire apparatus. We humbly thank Congressman Donald Norcross for securing this funding and for his continued support,”said Mayor BettyAnn Cowling-Carson. “This investment not only provides significant savings for taxpayers but also ensures that our volunteers can continue delivering reliable, professional emergency services for years to come.”

“The Borough of Westville, the Westville Fire District #1, Board of Fire Commissioners along with the members of the Westville Fire Department extend their sincere gratitude to Congressman Donald Norcross for his continued support of the Borough of Westville and our dedicated career and volunteer firefighters,” said Mayor Fritz H. Sims, Jr.“This funding will allow the Westville Fire Department to continue to have the resources necessary to operate effectively, serve the Borough at the highest level, and remain fully equipped to provide extremely effective, reliable, and professional emergency response services for many years to come.”

These projects are a part of the $11.98 million Congressman Norcross secured for 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) awards throughout New Jersey’s First Congressional District to support economic development, create jobs, and respond to the most pressing needs of the community. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

CHERRY HILL, NJ – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ-01) delivered $1,850,000 in Community Project Funding to the City of Camden and the Camden County Municipal Utilities Authority for the purchase of new garbage bins that will enable the semi-automation of curbside collection services and for upgrades to the county’s sewer system to improve water quality. 

“These projects represent meaningful improvements to the communities here in Camden, and they show what’s possible when government listens to the local leaders who know their communities best,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “We’re not only supporting economic development through new investments and jobs, but we’re also responding to the pressing needs of this community by advancing a cleaner, greener Camden. Through cleaner streets, improved neighborhoods, and reduced pollution, the revitalization of Camden City continues to move forward.” 

“This is another tremendous step towards advancing the quality of life in the City of Camden and a significant boost to communities across Southern New Jersey,” said Camden Mayor Victor G. Carstarphen. “We are grateful to Congressman Norcross for his advocacy.  The $850,000 in funding will help support the City’s clean up initiative through the purchase of new waste tipper containers.  This will not only result in a huge savings for the municipality but ultimately help to upgrade Camden’s waste management infrastructure and ensuring reliable trash service citywide.” 

“The CCMUA is incredibly appreciative of Congressman Norcross for recognizing the importance of improving water quality in Camden County, particularly within Camden City.”  said CCMUA Executive Director Scott Schreiber. “This funding represents a meaningful investment in one of our most sensitive and critical environments—the Delaware River Backchannel. By thoughtfully combining local, state, and federal resources, the CCMUA remains committed to delivering tangible water quality improvements that benefit our residents, our waterways, and the broader region.” 

The $1,000,000 grant to CCMUA will be used to make upgrades to the county’s sewer system and to improve water quality in coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  

The $850,000 grant to the City of Camden will support the city’s purchase of new garbage bins for city residents that will enable the semi-automation of curbside collection services. Equipped with RFI tracking, Camden will be able to move away from a “drag and dump” form of garbage collection to one that is more efficient and will result in less environmental waste. 

These projects are a part of the $11.98 million Congressman Norcross secured for 15 Community Project Funding (CPF) awards throughout New Jersey’s First Congressional District to support economic development, create jobs, and respond to the most pressing needs of the community. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

Washington, DC –– Today, Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), the co-author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, sent the following letter to King Charles III requesting a private meeting with survivors of Epstein’s abuse during his upcoming visit to the U.S. the week of April 27th. 

“The effort to release the Epstein files is about justice for the survivors. Leaders in the U.S. and around the world must hold Epstein’s powerful network accountable. Hearing the survivors’ stories and concerns is an important step. That is why I am respectfully requesting a meeting between King Charles and survivors of Epstein’s abuse,” said Rep. Khanna. 

Read the full text of the letter below or click here. 

Your Majesty King Charles III,

I write in advance of your upcoming visit to the United States, during which you are expected to address a joint meeting of Congress the week of April 27. I appreciate the solemnity of the occasion and your celebration of our 250 years of independence. 

As author of the Epstein Files Transparency Act, I respectfully ask that you privately meet with survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse, so they may speak to you directly about the ways powerful individuals and institutions failed them. Survivors want this meeting. 

I make this request in light of recent developments in the United Kingdom, including renewed scrutiny of individuals and institutions with ties to Epstein and his network. These developments have raised serious questions about conduct, access, and whether positions of public trust were misused or whether public institutions helped shield wrongdoing. Your call for a “full, fair and proper” investigation, and for the law to take its course, recognizes the seriousness of these concerns. 

As you are aware, this is not solely an American matter. Epstein’s network had significant ties to the United Kingdom through Ghislaine Maxwell, through Epstein’s relationships with British public figures, and through the social and political circles in which he operated. These connections raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility, and protection across borders for so long. 

Additionally, members of Congress have sought testimony from both Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Peter Mandelson regarding their respective ties to Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor did not respond. Peter Mandelson was also asked to appear before the Oversight Committee regarding his reported ties to Epstein and questions about whether sensitive information may have been shared improperly. He declined to cooperate, citing the existence of a criminal investigation. In both cases, Congress was unable to secure their cooperation or testimony. 

A meeting with survivors would provide an opportunity to identify any additional information British institutions and individuals may be able to share and open a dialogue about whether there will be a full accounting of how Epstein’s and Maxwell’s network operated in the United Kingdom. It would also ensure that survivors are heard directly and that these matters are addressed with transparency, seriousness, and accountability. 

Therefore, I would be grateful for the opportunity to arrange such a private meeting during your visit. I make this request with full respect for the importance of your visit.

Sincerely,

Ro Khanna

Member of Congress

U.S. House of Representatives

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

Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced today that he will host a virtual town hall on immigration on Wednesday, April 1^st at 4:00 p.m. PT over Zoom to discuss immigration enforcement and detention, the important role immigrants play in California’s economy, and more. During the town hall, the Congressman will be joined by special guests from Stand Together Contra Costa and the UC Berkeley Labor Center who will share their expertise and help address constituent questions.

Virtual Town Hall on Immigration
Wednesday, April 1^st
4:00 – 5:00 p.m. PT
Hosted on Zoom 
Streamed to YouTube

Panelists include: 

• Ali Saidi, Stand Together Contra Costa
• Enrique Lopezlira, UC Berkeley Labor Center

To reserve your spot and receive a Zoom link or to request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 262^nd town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (D-CA) and Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) introduced the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2026—commonsense, bipartisan legislation to ensure vulnerable children do not lose access to essential mental health care because of a bureaucratic technicality. 

Children in the foster care system have often endured severe trauma, abuse, or neglect. Many rely on specialized, around-the-clock care to begin healing. Congress recognized this need when it passed the Family First Prevention Services Act of 2018 (FFPSA), which created Qualified Residential Treatment Programs (QRTPs)—high-quality, trauma-informed settings designed to provide comprehensive mental and behavioral health services to children with the most complex needs.  But due to a technical interpretation by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), many of these programs are being treated as Institutions for Mental Disease (IMDs) simply because they serve more than 16 individuals. As a result, children placed in these appropriate, clinically recommended settings can lose access to Medicaid coverage for the very services they depend on.  In plain terms, this means that a child who has already experienced significant trauma could be denied care—not because it isn’t needed, but because of how a facility is categorized on paper. 

The Bilirakis-Brownley bill fixes this problem by ensuring that QRTPs are not unfairly classified as IMDs, as long as they meet the rigorous standards and accreditation requirements established under FFPSA. This targeted solution preserves accountability while ensuring that children can continue receiving the care they need, when and where they need it.

“Children in foster care deserve stability and consistent access to the mental and behavioral health services that support their well-being,” said Congresswoman Julia Brownley. “Yet because of how certain programs are classified, children placed in clinically appropriate settings can lose access to Medicaid coverage for the very care they rely on. That is a failure of our system. This legislation fixes that gap, strengthens continuity of care, and ensures foster youth can access the services they need without disruption. We have a responsibility to ensure no child’s health, stability, or future is put at risk by outdated policy, and to make sure every child has the support they need to thrive.”

“No child should lose access to critical mental health care because of a bureaucratic definition,” said Congressman Bilirakis. “Most children who enter the foster care system have already experienced unimaginable trauma. The last thing we should do is put up barriers to the care that can help them heal. This legislation ensures continuity of care in the settings best equipped to meet their needs. I am proud to work in a bipartisan manner to fix this unintended roadblock and ensure these children receive the support and services they deserve.”

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Issues: 119th Congress, Healthcare

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced today that his staff will hold a mobile office hour for constituents in Boone County on Monday, April 20, 2026. This office hour is an opportunity for constituents to meet directly with a member of Smith’s staff about federal issues, receive assistance with a federal agency, or take advantage of the services available through his office.

Smith, who has offices in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Nebraska City, will provide a staff member at the following time and location:

Monday, April 20, 2026

Boone County Courthouse
222 S. 4th Street
Albion, NE 68620
9:10 am – 10:10 am CT

For additional information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900, his Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333, or his Nebraska City office at (402) 874-6050. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced today that his staff will hold a mobile office hour for constituents in Custer, Loup, and Rock Counties on Tuesday, April 21, 2026. These office hours are an opportunity for constituents to meet directly with a member of Smith’s staff about federal issues, receive assistance with a federal agency, or take advantage of the services available through his office.

Smith, who has offices in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Nebraska City, will provide a staff member at the following time and location:

Tuesday, April 21, 2026

Custer County Courthouse
431 S 10th Avenue
Broken Bow, NE 68822
10:30 am – 11:30 am CT

Loup County Courthouse
408 4th Street
Taylor, NE 68879
8:30 am – 9:30 am CT

Rock County Courthouse
400 S State Street
Bassett, NE 68714
2:45 pm – 3:45 pm CT

For additional information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900, his Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333, or his Nebraska City office at (402) 874-6050. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Congressman Adrian Smith (NE-03) announced today that his staff will hold a mobile office hour for constituents in Arthur County on Monday, April 27, 2026. This office hour is an opportunity for constituents to meet directly with a member of Smith’s staff about federal issues, receive assistance with a federal agency, or take advantage of the services available through his office.

Smith, who has offices in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Nebraska City, will provide a staff member at the following time and location:

Monday, April 27, 2026

Arthur County Courthouse
205 Fir Street
Arthur, NE 69121
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm MT

For additional information, please contact Smith’s Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900, his Scottsbluff office at (308) 633-6333, or his Nebraska City office at (402) 874-6050.