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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) released the below statement following the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) issuing an internal memorandum reinstating a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling, ripping away access to health care from thousands of veterans.

“The Trump administration is taking away health care from veterans and their families who have served our country. They’re blocking access for veterans without even providing exceptions for rape or incest, interfering in deeply personal medical decisions. VA is the only place some veterans can obtain counseling and reproductive care, so I will continue to do everything I can to fight this ban because extreme politicians should stay out of other people’s health care.”

In September 2022, following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, the VA used its rulemaking authority under the Veterans Health Care Eligibility Reform Act of 1996 to allow VA health care providers to offer abortion counseling and abortion services in cases of rape, incest, and the life and health of the veteran. Prior to that rule, VA enforced the most restrictive abortion ban of any federal health care agency. The Biden-era policy survived legal challenges and was finalized in March 2023.

On August 4, 2025, the Trump administration issued a proposed rule to repeal the 2022 policy and it was finalized yesterday. Rather than waiting to finalize a proposed regulation on abortion care, VA issued an internal memorandum which only preserves a narrow exception when the life of the mother is at risk, eliminating VA’s ability to provide abortion care in nearly all other cases. This once again makes the VA the only major federal health provider with such an extreme restriction.

Background:

In August, Pappas helped introduce the Reproductive Freedom for Veterans Act, which would guarantee that veterans and eligible dependents have the right to receive abortion care, medication, and counseling through the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), without interference from political appointees or partisan agendas and protected by law.

In September, Pappas joined a bicameral effort of submitting a public comment on VA’s proposed rule to reinstate a near-total ban on abortions and abortion counseling.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Legislation would bring transparency to how temporary post office closures, also known as “emergency suspensions,” are reported by the U.S. Postal Service

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

In August, Pappas introduced bipartisan legislation to exempt the workforces of America’s four public shipyards from hiring freezes and mass layoffs

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced her bill to allow D.C. to set the pay for its Chief Financial Officer (CFO). The salary of the CFO is paid by D.C.’s own local funds. In the 117^th Congress, the bill passed the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability.

Under the D.C. Home Rule Act, Congress established a maximum rate of pay of the CFO, and the D.C. Council has no authority to increase that rate. Congress does not cap, or otherwise establish, the pay of any other D.C. employee. Under this bill, the CFO would be paid at the greater of a rate equal to the current maximum rate of pay or a rate established in law by D.C.

“Like every other municipality in the nation, D.C. should have the authority to set the pay for their local officials. They are paid by the people they serve through their tax dollars,” Norton said. “Giving the District the ability to raise the pay for its CFO will make the position more lucrative and incentivize high quality candidates to apply when a vacancy arises.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced a bill to expand the circumstances in which a recently separated federal employee can withdraw from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account without being penalized.

The Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025 helps former federal employees pay their bills after leaving the federal workforce by allowing them to make penalty-free withdrawals from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account to make up the gap between the interim payments a retiree receives during the period the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is calculating the retiree’s final annuity and the estimated final annuity, which is usually 20% to 40% less than the finalized net payment. The bill also allows penalty-free withdrawals if the individual is involuntarily separated from the federal government.

“During these troubling times for federal employees, this bill will help those who are separated from the federal government and in need of financial assistance,” Norton said. “This bill will allow former federal employees avoid financial hardship by allowing them to make penalty-free withdrawals from their TSP account while OPM is calculating their final annuity, or if they are involuntarily separated from federal service.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows. 

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the

Introduction of the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025

December 23, 2025

Today, I introduce the Thrift Savings Plan Emergency Withdrawal Act of 2025, which would expand the circumstances in which a federal employee recently separated from the federal government can take a penalty-free withdrawal from their Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) account.  This bill would help former federal employees pay their bills after separation. 

First, this bill would allow a penalty-free withdrawal to make up the gap between the interim payments a retiree receives during the period the Office of Personnel Management is calculating the retiree’s final annuity and the estimated final annuity.  A retiree’s interim payment is generally only 60% to 80% of the finalized net payment.  Second, this bill would allow a penalty-free withdrawal if an individual is involuntarily separated from the federal government.  In both cases, the maximum withdrawal would be $100,000. Individuals would be able to make a withdrawal for up to a year after separation and to repay the withdrawn amount within three years to avoid the existing early withdrawal penalty, which is a 10% additional tax.

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) issued the following statement after the Supreme Court of the United States declined to allow President Trump to proceed with a National Guard deployment into Chicago:

“Today’s Supreme Court decision blocking President Trump’s attempt to deploy the National Guard into the Chicago area is an important step forward in stopping a clear abuse of his office—but it applies only to this case. I introduced the Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power Act to clarify and limit a president’s authority to deploy the military or National Guard to any American city and prevent the use of servicemembers as political props. Congress must act to ensure President Trump cannot misuse our servicemembers this way again.

Illinois has stood united in opposing this illegal and political deployment since day one, and I applaud Governor Pritzker’s leadership as we all fight back together. We will continue to stand united no matter what this administration throws our way.”

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel raising serious concerns that the Department of Justice has diverted FBI counterterrorism and counterintelligence personnel away from their core national security missions and reassigned them to support mass immigration enforcement operations, putting the United States at risk. In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that senior DOJ officials have redirected personnel and assets from the FBI’s core mission despite the Bureau’s own assessment that terrorists and nation-state adversaries pose the most immediate threats to the homeland:

“Over the last year, senior officials have reassigned personnel and assets from the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) core national security mission to immigration enforcement, leaving counterterrorism and counterintelligence work compromised and putting our national security at risk.”

The letter cites reporting that early in 2025, DOJ leadership directed FBI Joint Terrorism Task Forces to assist with immigration initiatives, requiring agents responsible for terrorism investigations, espionage detection, and cyber threat monitoring to prioritize immigration enforcement over national security work:

“Agents responsible for espionage detection cyber threat monitoring, and terrorism investigation, therefore, were required to prioritize immigration enforcement, giving less attention to crucial national security threats.”

Despite a rise in alleged terrorist incidents across the United States, the letter notes that a significant share of the Bureau remains diverted:

“Nearly a quarter of the FBI’s roughly 13,000 agents nationwide, and up to 40 percent in the largest field offices, remain assigned to immigration enforcement duties.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi further highlighted reporting that analysts tracking terrorist financing, money laundering, and the illicit trade in looted antiquities, as well as investigations into the Iranian oil black market used to finance terrorism, have been delayed by months:

“Internal sources further indicate that these core national security investigations, including into the black market for Iranian oil sold to finance terrorism, have been delayed by months.”

According to additional reporting cited in the letter, the diversion of counterterrorism and counterintelligence personnel has halted critical investigations:

“The shift of resources from counterterrorism and counterintelligence teams, including many FBI personnel working years-long complex investigations involving classified techniques and sources, have caused several critical investigations to stop.”

The letter also raises alarm that counterintelligence specialists with deep expertise on China, Russia, and Iran have been reassigned to immigration cases, limiting enforcement of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and allowing foreign intelligence operatives greater freedom to operate inside the United States:

“These shifts have limited investigations into violations of the Foreign Agents Registration Act and have allowed foreign intelligence operatives greater room to maneuver within the United States.”

Emphasizing the FBI’s statutory mandate, the letter warns:

“Its counterintelligence and counterterrorism components exist to detect and disrupt the activities of hostile foreign actors, not to conduct civil immigration enforcement or unrelated administrative duties.”

In light of these concerns, Congressman Krishnamoorthi asked the FBI to promptly provide detailed answers to the following questions:

1. To what extent have FBI personnel assigned to counterintelligence, counterterrorism, or related national security missions been redirected to assist with immigration enforcement or other non–national security duties?

2. How have these reassignments affected FBI’s ability to investigate and disrupt espionage, terrorism, cyber intrusions, and other national security threats?

3. Have any ongoing national security or counterterrorism investigations—such as the probe into the Iranian oil black market or cases involving foreign influence operations—been delayed, suspended, or deprioritized because of these diversions?

4. Were formal operational risk assessments or impact analyses conducted prior to redirecting these agents, and if so, what did they conclude?

5. What steps, if any, has the Bureau taken to return these personnel to their original counterintelligence and counterterrorism assignments and to restore full operational readiness in these mission areas?

6. What mechanisms or internal controls will be implemented to prevent future diversions of national security resources for purposes unrelated to the FBI’s statutory counterintelligence and counterterrorism missions?

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter is available here.

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

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) sent a letter to Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. expressing grave concern over the Department’s decision to terminate more than $18 million in federal grants awarded to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), warning that the move threatens critical child health initiatives nationwide and raises serious questions about political retaliation and the integrity of federal public health funding. In the letter, Congressman Krishnamoorthi emphasized that the AAP, headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, represents more than 67,000 pediatricians nationwide and has served for nearly a century as a cornerstone of evidence-based pediatric care and public health:

The terminated grants supported programs aimed at reducing sudden infant death, improving adolescent health outcomes, preventing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders, and ensuring early identification of autism. The Department has stated that these initiatives “no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities,” a justification Congressman Krishnamoorthi sharply questioned.

“I find it profoundly disturbing that preventing infant deaths, protecting adolescent health, and identifying developmental disabilities early are now considered misaligned with the mission of the federal agency charged with safeguarding public health,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote in his letter. “The funding cancellations came shortly after the AAP challenged Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s vaccine policies in federal court, raising serious concerns that this action may represent retaliation against a respected medical organization for exercising its legal rights and defending science-based public health policy.”

The letter raises particular concern about the timing of the cancellations, noting that the funding terminations occurred shortly after the AAP challenged Secretary Kennedy’s vaccine policies in federal court. Emphasizing the responsibilities of HHS and its subagencies, including the CDC and HRSA, the letter underscores that public health funding decisions must be guided by science rather than ideology.

To better understand how the Department is making grant funding decisions, Congressman Krishnamoorthi requested that HHS provide responses to the following questions by January 20, 2026:

1. All documents and communications related to the decision to cancel $18.6 million in grants to the American Academy of Pediatrics.
2. An outline of projects and initiatives that will be funded to replace work that AAP was performing in relation to sudden infant deaths, adolescent health, fetal alcohol syndrome prevention, and early autism detection.
3. HHS, CDC, and HRSA’s banned words and ideologies when considering projects for federal funding.
4. A list of all HHS, CDC, and HRSA projects that have been cancelled because they “no longer align with the Department’s mission or priorities.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter is available here.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today called on the Department of Education to reverse its decision to cancel Full-Service Community Schools (FSCS) grants across Illinois, warning that the move would eliminate critical student supports and undermine years of federal investment. In a letter to Education Secretary Linda McMahon, Congressman Krishnamoorthi raised concerns about the cancellation of $18.5 million in annual funding and more than $55 million over the remaining grant period for FSCS programs statewide.

“In Illinois, FSCS grants support 16 school districts and 32 schools across Illinois, serving approximately 19,000 students annually,” Congressman Krishnamoorthi wrote in the letter. “These grant programs serve rural, suburban, and urban students alike, partnering with schools and families to ensure programs are responsive to the unique needs of each community. They provide essential family engagement, nutrition programs, academic enrichment, mental health supports, and workforce-aligned partnerships. FSCS grants are lifelines for the children and families who rely on them, ensuring that our kids remain safe and supported as they learn.”

Congressman Krishnamoorthi warned that the tens of millions of dollars in funding cuts would have immediate and severe consequences. When students return from winter break this January, they will face dramatically reduced support, undoing years of federal investment in future generations. The congressman accused the Trump administration of politicizing children’s programs and education.

The letter is available here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

“Funding for NCAR is essential to maintaining America’s leadership in global weather forecasting and to protecting our economy, our communities, and the everyday livelihoods of families across the nation.”

Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Representatives Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Jeff Hurd (R-CO) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) and John Hickenlooper (D-CO) led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition in support of sustained funding for the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) in Boulder. In a letter to congressional appropriators, 76 lawmakers from across both chambers requested statutory language be included in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies funding bill to prevent its dismantling and ensure NCAR can maintain its core capabilities and continue delivering vital Earth system science. 

The Colorado members mobilized in response to a social media “announcement” from White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought stating the administration plans to dismantle the nation’s leading climate research center. 

Neguse, Bennet, Hickenlooper, Hurd, and their colleagues, however, noted that President Trump’s own FY 2026 budget request for the National Science Foundation (NSF), submitted to Congress earlier this year, described NCAR as a “world-class research center” leading advancements in “cutting-edge airborne and ground-based observational facilities[,] community weather and climate models with thousands of users worldwide[,] and petascale high-performance computing.”

As the appropriations process moves to conference in January next year, this letter doubles-down on demands made by Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper last week. 

“The work being done at NCAR is vital to our state, our country, and our planet. The breathtaking advancements these scientists and researchers are making every day play a critical role in alerting communities to extreme weather conditions and the advanced modeling systems they are creating are vital to our national security. Any attempt to dismantle this institution is dangerous, reckless, and would, ultimately, put the United States at a very deep competitive disadvantage,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “I’m grateful to Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for taking critical action last week to stand up for NCAR’s continued funding, and I’m proud to work with my Republican colleague from the Western Slope, Jeff Hurd, to carry the baton in the House. As Coloradans, first and foremost, we intend to fight back against attempts to gut this cutting-edge institution”

“NCAR does critical work in Colorado that helps predict severe weather and keeps America competitive in climate science. The research happening there protects communities and supports our national security. Dismantling this institution doesn’t make sense, and I’m glad to work with my colleagues in both chambers to make sure NCAR has the funding it needs to keep operating,” said Congressman Jeff Hurd. “The scientists at NCAR are doing work that matters – work that helps families prepare for storms, helps farmers plan their seasons, and keeps us ahead on the world stage. Supporting NCAR is a smart investment we should continue to make, not walk away from. I’m grateful to my House colleague, Joe Neguse, for his partnership in protecting an institution that matters to Colorado and the country.”

“Last week, I blocked the Senate appropriations process to demand full funding for NCAR in response to President Trump’s threat to dismantle it,” said Senator Bennet. “NCAR’s work is indispensable for communities, decision-makers, and emergency responders. From predicting extreme weather conditions to supporting disaster preparedness to understanding how wildfires spread, the elimination of NCAR would be catastrophic for public safety and national security. I am grateful to Representatives Neguse and Hurd for their partnership on the effort to protect NCAR. We will explore every avenue to ensure we don’t lose this vital institution.”

“Donald Trump’s vengeful plan to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research is not only illegal, it’s indefensible. It will have devastating consequences not only for Colorado, but across the country. Colorado won’t be intimidated by the bully in the White House. We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to fight back,” said Senator Hickenlooper. 

Read the full letter HERE. 

In addition to Representatives Neguse and Hurd and Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper, the letter was also signed by: Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Edward J. Markey (D-MA), and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Representatives Diana DeGette (D-CO), Jason Crow (D-CO), Brittany Pettersen (D-CO), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Donald Beyer (D-VA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Sean Casten (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Yvette Clarke (D-NY), J. Correa (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Shomari Figures (D-AL), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Bill Foster (D-IL), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Sylvia Garcia (D-TX), Laura Gillen (D-NY), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Steven Horsford (D-NV), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA), Val Hoyle (D-OR), Jared Huffman (D-CA), William Keating (D-MA), Robin Kelly (D-IL), Teresa Leger Fernandez (D-NM), Mike Levin (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Sarah McBride (D-DE), April McClain Delaney (D-MD), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Dave Min (D-CA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Frank Pallone (D-NJ), Chris Pappas (D-NH), Scott Peters (D-CA), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Emily Randall (D-WA), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Robert Scott (D-VA), Lateefah Simon (D-CA), Eric Sorensen (D-IL), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), Haley Stevens (D-MI), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Jill Tokuda (D-HI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Eugene Vindman (D-VA), George Whitesides (D-CA), Jack Bergman (R-MI), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA).

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