MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata was delighted to take part in the Samoan Flag Day event in Adelanto, California, at the invitation of Mayor Gabriel Reyes, a friend of the Samoan community, who was on hand to enjoy the festivities at the Adelanto Plaza & Event Center. Amata gave remarks and an update from American Samoa.

Amata Speaking for Flay Day

“Wherever I am in the United States, it’s a joy to celebrate with our people their love of our heritage, our culture and our beautiful island homeland,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I’m delighted it worked out between my travels from American Samoa and Washington, DC, so I could be part of Adelanto’s Flag Day celebration. They had all the anthems and flags of the Samoan people, a tremendous turnout, and we had a wonderful time.”

The Flag Day festivities at the stadium’s field included an Ava ceremony, the Siva, music, plenty of delicious food, cultural expressions and speeches, and even a wrestling ring.

“I loved every minute of seeing a celebration of island culture in the California desert. Adelanto is a thriving community, and while the terrain looks very different from our rainforest, our people there have the same strong, enthusiastic island spirit,” Amata continued. 

“Thank you to all our stateside Samoan communities like Adelanto for keeping a special place in your hearts for our traditions,” Amata concluded. “When our people leave our islands, they always carry forward some of the best of our culture, art, food, and music. It is wonderful to know the beauty of our islands remains a vibrant part of their lives. It especially warms my heart to see our Samoan values endure over generations and distances, and we islanders remember faith and family.”

See more pictures

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

26 June 2026

Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán, Carter, Sr., and Senator Van Hollen Introduce Bill to Develop Next Generation of Clean Shipping Technology and Infrastructure

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44) and Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02), along with Senator Chris Van Hollen (MD), reintroduced the Next Generation Shipping Act. The legislation would create a $1 billion per year program through the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD) to develop the next generation of clean shipping technology and infrastructure. The bill would help to address harmful pollution that comes from the shipping industry, a major but often unrecognized source of greenhouse gas emissions and port pollution. Through the development and usage of new technologies— such as zero-emission ships, cleaner fuels, and better port equipment— the program seeks to protect the health of our port and coastal communities, and help the U.S. reduce its climate pollution.

The bill would also help the United States keep up with other countries in Europe and Asia that are already investing heavily in clean shipping technology. It would support American businesses, workers, and new innovation, create jobs, while also strengthening the U.S. economy. The bill would ensure that the U.S. leads in the future of shipping, rather than rely on technology from other countries.

“Shipping plays a vital role in our economy, and at the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, but it should not come at the expense of the health of our families,” said Rep. Barragán. “The Next Generation Shipping Act is about investing in cleaner technologies, supporting American jobs, making sure the United States leads in the future of maritime innovation, all while making sure we do so in a way that preserves public health. By acting now, we can protect our communities, strengthen our economy, and build a more sustainable shipping industry for generations to come.”

“Maritime innovation is essential to America’s economic and environmental future, and the NextGeneration Shipping Act delivers the bold, forward‑looking investment needed to keep our nation competitive. By advancing zero‑emission vessels, modernizing port infrastructure, and strengthening domestic shipbuilding, this legislation charts a cleaner, smarter course for the shipping industry. It will reduce harmful pollution in port communities, create high‑quality jobs, and ensure American workers and manufacturers lead the global transition to next‑generation maritime technology. I’m proud to support this effort to secure a more sustainable and prosperous future for our coastal communities and our country,” said Congressman Troy A. Carter, Sr. (LA-02).

“Maritime commerce is a key economic driver in our state, with the Port of Baltimore alone supporting more than more than 273,000 good-paying jobs in Maryland. That’s why we’re fighting for resources to strengthen U.S. competitiveness in the global shipping industry by modernizing our nation’s maritime economy and building the maritime workforce of the future. With this legislation, we begin to meet the clean shipping demands of today and tomorrow,” said Senator Van Hollen.

“The Next Generation Shipping Act is forward-thinking legislation that will help revitalize the U.S. maritime industry and boost our economic competitiveness. As the federal government looks to expand commercial shipbuilding capacity, the U.S. must invest in cleaner ships and technologies to compete globally,” said Antonio Santos, Federal Climate Policy Director, Pacific Environment. “The bill provides much-needed funding to position the U.S. to be a leader in the development of next-generation vessel technologies and sustainable maritime fuels, while creating good-paying jobs and supporting workforce training. We thank Representative Barragán, Representative Carter, and Senator Van Hollen for introducing this important legislation and call on Congress to pass this bill to spur the market for building the advanced ships of the future.”

“Transitioning the shipping industry to zero-emission technologies is a smart, strategic and necessary step to keep the U.S. competitive in the global shipping sector. This bill would authorize resources to ensure that our nation has the vessels, technologies, and charging or fueling infrastructure to make the transition to clean shipping, improving public health and the environment while also revitalizing an industry that supports millions of jobs. We are grateful for Representative Barragán’s, Representative Carter’s and Senator Van Hollen’s leadership in pursuit of the future of shipping, a future that benefits every American,” said Caroline Bonfield, Ocean Conservancy’s senior U.S. policy manager for climate.

Four Members have co-sponsored the bill, including: Reps. Kevin Mullin, Eleanor Holmes Norton, André Carson, and Suzanne Bonamici.

The following organizations have endorsed the bill: Marine Engineers Beneficial Association; 350 Sacramento; Animals are Sentient Beings, Inc.; Benicians for a Safe and Healthy Community; Between the Waters; Brightline Defense; California Environmental Voters; Carolina Ocean Alliance; Clean Air Task Force; Coalition for Clean Air; Communities for a Healthy Bay; Don’t Waste Arizona; Duwamish River Community Coalition; Friends of the Earth; Good Neighbor Steering Committee of Benicia; GreenLatinos; Guardians of Flushing Bay; High Ambition Climate Collective; Inland Ocean Coalition; Intheshadowofthewolf; Little Manila Rising; Milwaukee Riverkeeper; Move LA; North American Climate, Conservation and Environment; Natural Resources Defense Council; Ocean Conservancy; Ocean Defense Initiative; Pacific Environment; Portland Cruise Control; Protect Virginia; Resilient Red Hook; Seattle Cruise Control; Sierra Club; South Ward Environmental Alliance; Stand.earth; Sunflower Alliance; Terra Advocati; The People’s Justice Council; the Transportation Institute; Turtle Island Restoration Network; Washington Physicians for Social Responsibility; Waterfront Alliance; WILDCOAST; 350 Bay Area Action, Long Beach Alliance for Clean Energy, Progressives for Climate, Unitarian Universalists for a Just Economic Community.

The following industry groups have endorsed the bill: ABB; Elliott Bay Design Group; EV Maritime; Explomar; Fourth Tack LLC; International Electric Marine Association; Magnuss Corp.; MOLABO; NT Systems; Spaera; ZULU Associates; AltaSea, Siemens Energy, Zero Emissions Ship Technology Association.

For the full text of the bill, see HERE. For a summary, see HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

“I rise with a heavy heart to remember the women who have died because they were denied essential abortion care after the devastating Dobbs decision unleashed abortion care bans across our country.”

On Fourth Anniversary of Devastating Dobbs Decision, Pressley Issues Call to Action, Uplifts Families Impacted by Republicans Denying Essential Abortion Care

Video (YouTube)

WASHINGTON – During a speech on the House floor, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) commanded a moment of silence to honor those who have died because they were denied essential abortion care. This week marked 4 years since the devastating Supreme Court Dobbs decision which unleashed abortion bans across America, denying patients and families access to abortion care, essential healthcare.

This week, Rep. Pressley uplifted and engaged families impacted by Republicans attacks on abortion care and issued a call to action to restore and expand access to abortion care, birth control, IVF, and true reproductive freedom.

A transcript of Congresswoman Pressley’s floor speech is available below and the video is available here.

Transcript: Pressley Commands Moment of Silence on House Floor to Honor Those Who Died Because They Were Denied Abortion Care

U.S. House of Representatives

June 24, 2026

Mr. Chair,

I rise with a heavy heart to remember the women who have died because they were denied essential abortion care after the devastating Dobbs decision unleashed abortion care bans across our country.

I rise today in remembrance of:

Amber Nicole Thurman

Candi Miller

Ciji Graham

Josseli Barnica

Yeniifer “Yeni” Alvarez-Estrada Glick

Nevaeh Crain

Tierra Walker

Taysha Wilkinson-Sobieski

Porsha Ngumezi

Adriana Smith

Devastatingly, I fear there are others too who have lost their lives though we do not publicly know their names.

Mr. Chair, I rise to observe a moment of silence for those who have died because they were denied essential abortion care.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), a senior member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, warned Postmaster General David Steiner on Thursday that he will pursue a congressional subpoena and lead efforts to remove him from office if the U.S. Postal Service continues advancing a proposal tied to President Trump’s March executive order that would limit mail ballot delivery to voters appearing on a federally maintained voter list.

The warning came after witnesses testified during a House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee hearing that USPS had published a proposed rule implementing the executive order and that Steiner reaffirmed before the Senate this week that USPS would not deliver mail ballots in states that refuse to provide voter registration data required under the proposal. Earlier Thursday, a federal district court blocked key provisions of the executive order, including its attempt to create a federal voter list and direct the Postal Service’s handling of mail ballots.

“If you continue to move forward with this proposed rule despite the court ruling this morning, I, as a senior member of the Oversight Committee, will move to subpoena you and lead the effort to remove you from your post,” Krishnamoorthi said.

During the hearing, Krishnamoorthi also warned that efforts to restrict mail voting would disproportionately harm military personnel and Americans serving overseas who rely on absentee ballots. He noted that states including Texas and Florida count certain military and overseas ballots after Election Day if they are postmarked on time.

“President Trump’s demand to throw out ballots arriving after Election Day would break the law and disenfranchise military voters,” Krishnamoorthi said. “That’s a severe disservice to our men and women in uniform, among others.”

Krishnamoorthi also raised broader concerns about federal interference in election administration, including comments from Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin suggesting that ICE agents could be deployed to polling places in response to alleged threats. Citing federal law prohibiting the deployment of armed federal personnel at polling places, Krishnamoorthi warned against using security concerns as a pretext for federal intervention in elections.

Video of Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s remarks is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence’s National Intelligence Enterprise Subcommittee (HPSCI-NIE), issued the following statement after reports linked Russian hackers to a 2025 cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover that forced the company to suspend production for five weeks and contributed to an estimated $2.5 billion economic hit to the United Kingdom.

“The Russian cyberattack on Jaguar Land Rover is exactly the kind of threat we should be preparing for,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “Yesterday, I co-led a bipartisan Intelligence Subcommittee roundtable on emerging gray-zone threats, where we discussed these kinds of foreign cyber operations. If Russian hackers can inflict billions of dollars in economic damage on a close ally, we should assume they’re looking for ways to target American companies, government networks, and critical infrastructure. We need stronger cyber defenses and a strategy to stop these attacks before they succeed.”

The report comes one day after a bipartisan HPSCI-NIE Subcommittee roundtable convened by Krishnamoorthi on emerging gray-zone threats to the homeland. During the discussion, expert witnesses pointed to Ukraine’s response to Russian cyber operations as an example of how governments and private-sector partners can work together to expose and counter malicious activity before it succeeds.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) introduced the Granting Rollover Access and Contribution Extensions (GRACE) for Military Survivors Act, legislation to extend the time period in which surviving family members of a military service member can make important financial decisions about their survivor benefits. Reps. Greg Steube (FL-17), Juan Vargas (CA-52), and Jack Bergman (MI-01) co-lead the bill. 

“Grieving military families have enough on their plates when they lose a loved one — they should not be forced to make urgent, consequential financial decisions on top of everything else. Ensuring families have the time they need to decide the best path forward just makes sense. Grateful to work with my colleagues to introduce this important legislation,” said Rep. Mike Thompson.  

“The families of our fallen service members have already sacrificed more than most Americans can imagine. The last thing they should have to worry about is financial deadlines while grieving the loss of a spouse, parent, or child,” said Rep. Greg Steube. “As a veteran, I understand the sacrifices made by military families, and they deserve to make thoughtful financial decisions without unnecessary pressure from the federal government.”

“When a service member dies in the line of duty, their families should never be forced to make urgent financial decisions while enduring the pain of immeasurable loss. They deserve time, flexibility, and grace,” said Rep. Juan Vargas. “I’m grateful to join my colleagues in introducing this critical legislation.”  

“When a servicemember makes the ultimate sacrifice, their family deserves our unwavering support – not unnecessary bureaucratic deadlines. Military families should have the time and flexibility to make important financial decisions without added pressure during one of the most difficult moments of their lives. I’m proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act to ensure we honor their sacrifice by giving surviving loved ones the compassion and certainty they deserve,” said Rep. Jack Bergman. 

BACKGROUND 

When a service member dies in the line of duty, surviving families are forced to navigate immense grief while also making important financial decisions under compressed timelines. Current law allows surviving spouses and children to roll over military death gratuities and Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) benefits into certain tax-advantaged savings accounts, but only within one year of receiving the benefits. For many military families, that timeline is simply too short. This legislation would provide surviving military families with additional flexibility and time to make thoughtful long-term financial decisions.

The bill would:

• Extend from one year to three years the period in which military death gratuities and SGLI payments may be contributed to Roth IRAs and Coverdell Education Savings Accounts without penalty.
• Ensure military families are not penalized while grieving and adjusting to life after the loss of a service member.

The GRACE for Military Survivors Act was developed in conjunction with Gold Star Spouses of America. Reps. Jake Ellzey (R-TX), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Vern Buchanan (R-FL), Terri Sewell (D-AL), Pat Harrigan (R-NC), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Jen Kiggans (R-VA), and Shri Thanedar (D-MI) are original cosponsors. 

The bill is endorsed by: American Legion, American Veterans (AMVETS), Elizabeth Dole Foundation, Gold Star Spouses of America, Military Family Advisory Network (MFAN), National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO), Tragedy Assistance Program For Survivors (TAPS), United Services Automobile Association (USAA), Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Veterans Survivor Coalition, Vietnam Veterans of America, and With Honor Action.

“Gold Star Spouses of America strongly supports the GRACE for Military Survivors Act. Surviving spouses are often advised not to make major financial decisions during the first year after the death of their loved one, a recommendation that can inadvertently cause families to miss opportunities to utilize military death benefits in tax-advantaged savings accounts. Extending the contribution period from one year to three years acknowledges the realities of grief and gives surviving families the time they need to make thoughtful financial decisions that strengthen their long-term financial security,” said Tamra Sipes, National President, Gold Star Spouses of America.

“Military families give more than most Americans will ever be asked to. When a service member passes, we should not ask surviving spouses and families to set aside their grief to focus on finances,” said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor Action. “This legislation is notable for what it is not—it is not partisan, costly, or controversial. It imposes no new federal spending, creates no new bureaucracy, and asks nothing of taxpayers. It simply removes an arbitrary constraint that punishes military survivors for taking the time they need to grieve. Keeping faith with military families means ensuring they are treated with dignity and compassion during life’s most difficult moments. With Honor Action enthusiastically endorses the GRACE for Military Survivors Act and appreciates For Country Caucus members Rep. Mike Thompson and Rep. Bergman for their strong commitment to honoring military families and those who served.”

“USAA is proud to support the GRACE for Military Survivors Act, which reflects both sound financial policy and compassion for military families. This bill gives military families the time and flexibility they need to make solid financial choices for the future, empowering them to achieve financial security.” said Maj. Gen. John Richardson, U.S. Army, Ret., USAA Senior Vice President, Head of Policy & Alliances.

“The current one-year deadline is often unrealistic for grieving military families navigating the emotional, financial, and logistical challenges that follow the loss of a loved one in service. The Veterans Survivor Coalition supports extending this window to three years gives survivors the time and flexibility they deserve to plan for their family’s future,” said the Veterans Survivor Coalition. 

The full text of the bill can be found here.

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Congressman Mike Thompson is proud to represent California’s 4th Congressional District, which includes all or part of Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo Counties. He is a senior member of the House Committee on Ways and Means. Rep. Thompson is Chairman of the House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. He is also Co-Chair of the bipartisan, bicameral Congressional Wine Caucus and a member of the fiscally-responsible Blue Dog Coalition.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

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

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01) and John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13) introduced bipartisan legislation to help Americans understand kidney disease risks and treatment so they can get care before the condition worsens, potentially leading to kidney failure, and forcing them onto dialysis or the transplant list.

Thirty-seven million Americans have chronic kidney disease (CKD), but 87% of them don’t know that they have it. Many more are at risk of kidney disease because they have a chronic condition, like hypertension or diabetes. Medicare currently covers up to six sessions of kidney disease education for patients with Stage 4 CKD, which helps patients manage advanced kidney disease, understand treatment options, and delay progression. The Kidney Disease Education Access Expansion Act would expand access to this benefit earlier, helping patients access treatment sooner and slow the progression of the disease. 

“Kidney disease education is a trusted, evidence-backed tool that helps patients manage their condition and prevent kidney failure,” said DelBene. “But millions of Americans who are at risk don’t have access to this important tool. This bipartisan bill aims to expand important educational resources for all Medicare patients, which will make a significant difference in disease prevention and treatment.”

“This legislation meaningfully expands access to quality care for individuals living with Chronic Kidney Disease by ensuring eligibility is not limited based on stage of diagnosis,” said Joyce. “The sad reality is that more than 37 million Americans are living with CKD, and the majority don’t know that they have it. Often, early prevention is overlooked, and screening is not consistently accessible. This lack of early diagnosis is preventable and causes serious health impacts. This comes down to education and a commonsense pathway to better supporting patients from the very start of their care journey.”

The legislation is endorsed by the American Kidney Fund, American Nephrology Nurses Association, American Society of Nephrology, Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists, Dialysis Patient Citizens, IGA Nephropathy Foundation, Kidney Solutions: A Network of Transplant Experience, Kidney Transplant Collaborative (KTC), National Kidney Foundation, NephCure, Nonprofit Kidney Care Alliance, PKD Foundation, and Travere Therapeutics.

“Medicare only covers kidney disease education once a patient has already reached stage 4 — by then, the damage is often done,” said Kevin Longino, Chief Executive Officer of the National Kidney Foundation and a kidney transplant recipient. “This bill corrects that by covering education for anyone at high risk for chronic kidney disease, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, or other risk factors, long before kidney failure becomes a crisis. It also adds kidney screening to the wellness visits Americans already receive. It’s a simple, common-sense fix: catch the disease early, equip families with the knowledge to act, and keep more Americans healthy and out of the hospital. We’re grateful to Representatives DelBene and Joyce for leading this effort, and we urge Congress to act quickly.”

“The single most important thing we can do to treat kidney failure is to prevent it in the first place. The Kidney Disease Education Access Expansion Act substantially improves our ability to help Americans affected by kidney diseases never progress to kidney failure. I commend Rep. DelBene and Rep. Joyce for introducing this legislation, which has the power to change the lives of the 37 million Americans with kidney diseases, many of whom today don’t even know they are affected,” said Samir M. Parikh, MD, PhD., President, American Society of Nephrology.

The text of the bill can be found here.

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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata greeted and congratulated newly confirmed U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Michelle Eunjoo Steel. She is Congresswoman Amata’s friend and former colleague, as Ambassador Steel represented California in the U.S. House for four years. Amata spoke with her while she was at the Capitol to meet with Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee on Thursday. 

Congresswoman Amata and Ambassador Steel

“The diplomatic post to South Korea is important throughout the Pacific region, and American Samoa has a direct economic tie that is essential to us through Star-Kist and Dongwon Industries of Seoul, led by respected Chairman Kim Nam-jung,” said Congresswoman Amata. “Ambassador Steel is an outstanding choice to represent the United States to this major international ally and partner.”

Ambassador Steel was born in Seoul, speaks several languages, and was one in a group of the first three Korean-American women elected to Congress concurrently in 2020. 

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

Today, Representatives Don Beyer (VA-08), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), and Glenn Ivey (MD-04) demanded the Trump Administration take immediate steps to safely remove over 35,000 cubic yards of toxic debris that the president recklessly deposited onto the East Potomac National Park. The poisonous pile-up contains the remains of the illegally demolished White House East Wing. 

“For nearly eight months, golfers, cyclists, runners, fishermen and members of the public have been exposed to such debris, which contains dangerous levels of arsenic, lead and mercury,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum. “Even more troubling is your failure to release reliable test results on the potential asbestos content that may be mixed in with the demolition materials of the East Wing.” 

In October, President Trump illegally demolished the White House’s East Wing to make way for his $600 million ballroom, partially financed by taxpayers. Soon after, Secretary Burgum carelessly advised President Trump to deposit its over 35,000 cubic yards of toxic debris onto the public golf course on East Potomac National Park. 

The East Potomac Golf Links is part of East Potomac Park, which lies on federal land in Washington, D.C. The park provides recreational space for thousands of people who live in D.C., Maryland and Virginia. 

The golf course is on a peninsula surrounded by the Potomac River, an important tributary to the Chesapeake Bay. The White House waited six months after dumping the toxic debris on the golf course to release test results showing the pile contained elevated levels of lead, arsenic and mercury. 

“The White House… knew there would be a high likelihood of toxins in the East Wing debris and still chose to dump them in a public place, creating massive exposure for both adults and children,” the lawmakers continued. 

The East Wing was constructed in 1902, when lead paint was a commonly used material. In addition, any building built or remodeled before 1980 likely contains asbestos, according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). 

In their letter, the lawmakers demanded the administration develop a plan to immediately and safely remove the toxic debris and remediate the surrounding land on East Potomac Golf Links. They also called on the administration to warn the public about any health risks from toxic exposure and share documentation regarding how this irresponsible decision was made.  

In addition to Beyer, Raskin, Norton, and Ivey, the letter was also signed by Representatives Joyce Beatty (OH-03), André Carson (IN-07), Judy Chu (CA-28), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Joe Courtney (CT-02), Jasmine Crockett (TX-30), Danny Davis (IL-07), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Shomari Figures (AL-02), John Garamendi (CA-08), Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), Robert Garcia (CA-42), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Summer Lee (PA-12), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Christian Menefee (TX-18), Grace Meng (NY-06), Dave Min (CA-47), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jerry Nadler (NY-12), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY-14), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Emily Randall (WA-06), Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Bobby Scott (VA-03), Darren Soto (FL-09), Mark Takano (CA-39), Shri Thanedar (MI-13), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12), Wesley Bell (MO-01) and Seth Magaziner (RI-02). 

Read the full text of the letter here and below: 

The Honorable Doug Burgum 

Secretary 

U.S. Department of the Interior 

1849 C Street NW 

Washington, DC 20240 

Dear Secretary Burgum: 

We demand that you immediately and safely remove over 35,000 cubic yards of toxic debris left over from the demolition of the former East Wing of the White House that you deposited on the East Potomac Golf Course. For nearly eight months, golfers, cyclists, runners, fishermen and members of the public have been exposed to such debris, which contains dangerous levels of arsenic, lead and mercury. Even more troubling is your failure to release reliable test results on the potential asbestos content that may be mixed in with the demolition materials of the East Wing. These contaminants are embedded in debris piles just feet away from the banks of the Potomac River, an important tributary of the Chesapeake Bay where people fish and row. 

In October 2025, President Trump’s illegal and unannounced demolition of the East Wing of the White House presented a novel and dangerous challenge. You proposed dumping the debris on East Potomac Golf Course; the plans were quickly approved and set in motion by the President. Days after President Trump started to demolish the East Wing of the White House on October 20, 2025, contractors hired by the National Park Service (NPS) began carting away the massive debris—including pipes, wires and rebar—to East Potomac National Park. All told, NPS transported over 35,000 cubic yards of debris. 

More than six months later, NPS has finally released test results on the East Wing debris. The results show elevated levels of heavy metals including arsenic, lead, and mercury. One sample even contained twice the maximum acceptable exposure level in soil set by the EPA for children, though experts say no level of exposure is safe. Lead and mercury are severe neurotoxins that can disrupt brain development, damage nerve cells and impair cognitive function, while sustained arsenic exposure is strongly linked to skin, lung, and bladder cancers. Results for asbestos content have been inconclusive due to limited and compromised sample vials. The contamination results are unsurprising, as the East Wing of the White House was first built in 1902, when lead paint was a ubiquitous paint material. 

The East Wing was later significantly renovated in 1945. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), any building built or remodeled before 1980 likely contains asbestos. The White House therefore knew there would be a high likelihood of toxins in the East Wing debris and still chose to dump them in a public place, creating massive exposure for both adults and children. In fact, in sworn declarations before a Federal District Court, Director of White House Management and Administration Joshua Fisher attested that the demolished East Wing included “toxic substances spread throughout the structure, including asbestos and lead based paint.” Moreover, NPS leadership allegedly knew of the pollution as early as October 2025, but continued to freely dump anyway. 

The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) requires federal agencies to assess the effects of any proposed project on “the quality of the human environment” and produce an Environmental Impact Statement—or at the very least an Environmental Assessment—for a project of this significance. You have not complied with this law. Instead, you have attempted an end-run around NEPA by claiming that the debris meets the criteria for a “Categorical Exclusion,” a procedure that is only used for actions which “do not significantly affect the human environment.” In your Categorical Exclusion document, you attested that the East Wing debris would be “clean fill” to fulfill “existing maintenance” needs. As the test results demonstrate, these debris piles are anything but “clean fill” but rather more than likely pose a threat to human health and the environment. 

To immediately address the threats to human health and the environment presented by the East Wing debris, we request written answers to the following questions by no later than July 10, 2026: 

1.                  What is your Department’s plan to remove the debris, monitor and remediate the contamination on East Potomac National Park caused by the more than 35,000 cubic yards of toxic debris from the East Wing? When will your Department execute this plan? Has the Department warned the public in the meantime of the risks to public health? 

2.                  Please share all documentation and communication between agency officials in connection with the transportation of East Wing debris to East Potomac Golf Course. 

3.                  Why did the Department fail to test the East Wing debris dumped prior to October 28, 2025 on East Potomac Golf Course? 

4.                  Why did the Department proceed with dumping the debris after knowing it was likely to be contaminated and without knowing the test results? Please share all documents related to this decision. 

We appreciate your consideration and look forward to your prompt response.