MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Bacon Issues Statement Following Ben Sasse’s Cancer Diagnosis

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

TAMPA, Fla. – U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) announced today that her team worked to deliver over $24.4 million in aid, benefits and refunds to veterans, seniors, small businesses, and families in 2025. Additionally, $1,604,681,095 in federal grants were secured for disaster assistance, veterans’ support services, early childhood learning through Tinker K-8 and Head Start, and public transportation. Castor credits her team, local partners, and nonprofits for helping win significant federal investments for the Tampa Bay area in a year when the Trump Administration significantly altered the federal grant landscape.

“The success of the Tampa Bay area relies on strong collaboration with our local partners and nonprofits. From the University of South Florida to Moffitt Cancer Center to Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA) to Hillsborough Transit Authority (HART), our community received 371 federal grants in 2025. In addition to securing these grants, we successfully contested the Trump Administration’s closure of the Pinellas Job Corps Center for hardworking students and its illegal federal funding freezes on many local organizations so they could continue their critical work.

“In the wake of Hurricanes Debby, Helene, and Milton, our neighbors, small businesses, and local partners worked in tandem with the federal partners to recover and begin rebuilding across the Tampa Bay area. I am proud to have championed $965,630,000 in federal community development disaster recovery grants, including $158 million for the City of St. Petersburg and $709 million for Hillsborough County. Team Castor honored 30 Tampa Bay area Hurricane Heroes who selflessly served their neighbors after the hurricanes. The Tampa Bay area is resilient, and I am thankful for the generosity of our community as we continue our recovery.

“This year, I was proud to advocate for passage of legislation to save the Affordable Care Act tax credits, lower flood insurance costs, protect constituents’ personal identifiable information, lower electric bills, increase investments in lifesaving health research and protect our Florida coasts from offshore drilling. My  34 pieces of legislation introduced were informed by community needs and the best interests of Florida families.

“I am grateful for my incredible teams – in Tampa, St. Pete and in the Nation’s Capital – for their work on behalf of Tampa Bay families. I am particularly proud of the casework assistance we provided to neighbors who continue to grapple with higher costs, unprecedented cruelty and illegal actions of the Trump Administration. My team assisted with over 700 immigration-related cases to ensure our neighbors have the guidance and assistance they need to navigate the Trump Administration’s chaotic policy changes. My team is always available to take neighbors’ calls and respond to their emails. We responded to over 110,000 constituent emails regarding food assistance, concerns about the cost of living, the Republican government shutdown, the Republican Health Care Crisis and the concerning actions of the Trump Administration. I also enjoyed hosting four telephone town halls, two in-person town halls, four virtual town halls and listening sessions.

“Neighbor engagement with my office is paramount to my work. I am grateful for their voices. Thank you to my team, my partners and our neighbors for illustrating why the 14th District of Florida is the best in the nation.”

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

Resource Adequacy Study warns of capacity shortfalls and higher power prices without faster clean energy deployment

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

Chicago, IL. – Today, Representatives Robin Kelly (IL-02), Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Dave Joyce (OH-14), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Bill Huizenga (MI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Tim Kennedy (NY-26), Randy Weber (TX-14), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Erin Houchin (IN-09) led the bipartisan introduction of the Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act. This legislation strengthens the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) by ensuring federal investments are distributed more evenly across regional port systems nationwide. Currently, inland and Great Lakes ports receive a disproportionately small share of federal support, limiting their ability to modernize infrastructure, expand capacity, and remain competitive. By rebalancing how funds are awarded, the bill helps unlock the full economic and national security potential of ports across the interior, strengthening America’s supply chain resilience and global competitiveness. Senators Gary Peters (D-MI) and John Cornyn (R-TX) introduced the companion legislation in the Senate.

“Illinois’ ports, including the Illinois International Port District in Chicago, are vital to our agricultural and manufacturing supply chains,” said Congresswoman Kelly. “This bill would ensure the Great Lakes and inland ports receive a fair share of federal investment so they can operate safely, efficiently, and drive economic growth in the Second District and across Illinois.”

“Our ports are the front doors of American trade. This bill ensures smart federal investments in local jobs, improves supply chains, and enhances our economic security,” said Congresswoman Kaptur. “In my region that means shoring up our Great Lakes ports to allow goods commodities to flow up through the Soo Locks and on to Europe through the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway. I want to thank my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for joining this effort to invest in economic growth and improve waterborne shipping to the world.”

“Inland ports are the backbone of the nation’s supply chain. When they fall behind, America falls behind, and our economic security and national security are put at risk,” said Congressman Joyce. “Federal port infrastructure dollars can’t just flow to major coastal hubs. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act guarantees that ports across the Great Lakes, Gulf Coast, and inland waterways can compete for critical upgrades that keep goods moving, reduce bottlenecks, and strengthen America’s strategic and economic competitiveness. I’m proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation with Congressman Kennedy and grateful for his continued advocacy on behalf of the Great Lakes.”

“The Great Lakes are a way of life for us in Michigan and across the Heartland. They drive and support industries that create jobs and sustain communities across the country,” said Congresswoman Dingell. “Our Great Lakes ports are just as essential to the U.S. as coastal ports and deserve equal federal investment. I’m proud to co-lead this bipartisan bill to ensure the Great Lakes port system is fairly considered for maintenance and modernization that will support competitiveness and economic security.”

“Our ports are the backbone of our regional economy and serve as a critical link in keeping America’s supply chains moving,” said Congressman Tim Kennedy. “In the Great Lakes region these ports support good-paying jobs and strengthen our national security. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act ensures that federal infrastructure dollars are distributed fairly, so inland ports and surrounding communities can reap the economic benefits from modernized and resilient infrastructure.”

“It would be a detriment to both our national security and our economy to overlook the Great Lakes when it comes to port infrastructure funding decisions,” said Congressman Huizenga. “Our nation’s coastal ports are important, but don’t operate in a vacuum. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act ensures industry and commerce while enhancing security, growing the economy, supporting job creation, and lowering costs.”

“Thank you to Rep. Joyce and my Congressional colleagues for introducing this legislation to ensure that all of our ports receive their fair share of federal funding for infrastructure investments,” said Congressman Mrvan. “Efficient and well-functioning ports are critical to the economic success of working families and communities throughout our nation, including in Northwest Indiana, and I look forward to continuing to advance this important legislation.”

“Federal port dollars shouldn’t be funneled to the same handful of coastal ports while inland and Gulf Coast ports that move America’s energy, agriculture, and manufactured goods are left behind,” said Congressman Weber. “The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act simply requires the Department of Transportation to consider equitable geographic distribution, ensuring every port has a fair shot and that our national supply chain is stronger, more resilient, and more secure.”

“I am pleased to cosponsor this legislation to ensure ports along Lake Ontario receive fair consideration in federal infrastructure funding,” said Congresswoman Tenney.  “These ports are critical to Upstate New York’s economy and support manufacturing, agriculture, construction, and good paying jobs across NY-24. This bill is a smart investment in economic resilience, efficiency, and national security.” 

“Communities across Indiana depend on efficient freight networks to move the agriculture and manufacturing goods that power our economy,” said Congresswoman Houchin. “When inland ports, like our own on the Ohio River, are overlooked for federal investment, it can create delays in shipping that affect businesses and workers. The Securing Smart Investments in our Ports Act is a practical solution that ensures every region gets a fair shot at critical funding to keep our supply chain moving.”

“As a leading advocate for Ohio and the Great Lakes, Congressman Joyce has been instrumental in creating good-paying American jobs and strengthening our communities,” said Brian Oszakiewski, Executive Director of the American Great Lakes Ports Association. “This legislation helps ensure the Heartland receives its fair share of federal investment. We are grateful for Congressman Joyce’s leadership and thank his congressional colleagues for their support of balanced, long-term funding for critical port infrastructure across the Great Lakes region.”

“This bill is an important step to ensure that the world’s longest deep draft commercial waterway – the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Seaway System – receives its fair share of funding to continue improving the safety and reliability of our region’s ports,” said Erika Jensen, Executive Director of the Great Lakes Commission.

Summary:

This bill would amend the Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) to ensure that federal port improvement funds are awarded more evenly across different regions of the country. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to consider geographic distribution when selecting projects for both the Port and Intermodal Improvement Program and for assistance targeted to inland and coastal ports and terminals. The legislation explicitly includes inland ports, meaning ports on the Great Lakes, along inland waterways, and other interior ports would be eligible for funding under the program and considered in the geographic distribution requirements. In practice, the bill ensures that federal investments are not concentrated in only a few regions and that ports of all sizes and locations have a fair chance to compete for funding.

Endorsing Organizations: Great Lakes Commission and the American Great Lakes Ports Association.

Background:

The Port Infrastructure Development Program (PIDP) provides critical investments for port infrastructure and intermodal improvements. Historically, a disproportionate share of this funding has gone to large, coastal, or high-volume ports, leaving smaller or inland facilities with limited access to these federal resources. For example, since Fiscal Year 2019, only 2 percent of Port Infrastructure Development Program funding has gone to the Great Lakes region, compared with 38 percent to West Coast ports and 34 percent to East Coast ports. As freight movement grows increasingly interconnected, equitable investment in all types of ports is essential for improving overall logistics efficiency, economic development, and national resilience.

Inland ports support manufacturing supply chains, serve hundreds of millions of people, and play a critical role in national security by transporting essential materials such as iron ore, cement, and aggregates. Since America’s beginning, inland waterways have provided a resilient alternative to exposed coastal shipping routes, easier to monitor and protect from physical or cyber threats. During World War II, these waterways were vital, enabling the transport of troops, materials, and supplies while avoiding German attacks on major ports. Today, inland ports remain a secure and reliable backbone of the nation’s logistics network, ensuring critical materials reach where they’re needed most to support both military readiness and domestic manufacturing.

Investing in these ports would strengthen national supply chains, improve cost efficiency, reduce road congestion and emissions, and enhance the resilience and reliability of freight movement. Modernization efforts, including dredging, dock improvements, and intermodal connections, ensure that these ports can accommodate larger vessels, handle seasonal peaks, and maintain timely delivery of goods. Supporting inland port systems isn’t about local favoritism; it’s about recognizing that inland infrastructure is just as critical as our coastal gateways.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today announced the winners of his 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Hawai‘i’s First Congressional District at a reception at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox in Kaka‘ako.

The App Challenge is an official national initiative of the U.S. House of Representatives, in which Members of Congress host annuals contests in their districts for middle and high school students. For 2025, 394 of the 441 Members of the House, or 89%, hosted such contests. More information is here: https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/.

“My Challenge is a great opportunity for our local students to focus their skills and creativity on developing, testing and analyzing new applications for real-world use,” said Case. “Congratulating the contestants and their ‘ohana at the Sandbox, ‘Hawai‘i’s community hub to inspire creativity, technology, innovation and entrepreneurship’, adds an extra boost to what will hopefully be an inspiring and motivating experience for all of them.”

“And results of this year’s Challenge prove once again that Hawai‘i’s youth have the skill set, imagination and resolve to compete against the best of our young people nationwide in science, technology, engineering and math, along with the potential to lead the next generations of computer science and technology.”

Participation in Congressman Case’s First District Congressional App Challenge has grown significantly from 2019, when he conducted his first Challenge after returning to Congress, to 2025. His 2019 Challenge saw ten app submissions from 27 students across four schools. This year, his challenge saw 16 app submissions from 30 students across 8 schools, including three public schools and five private schools.

The winners of Congressman Case’s First Congressional District 2025 Challenge are:

·        1st Place – Aren Sawa of Mid-Pacific Institute

Grade: 11

Instructor: n/a

App: Hawai‘iAlert.jp

Video: https://youtu.be/ifxGTRVAL0c

Summary, according to the creator: 

“Hawai‘iAlert.jp is a bilingual disaster alert web app that automatically collects official emergency alerts from the U.S. National Weather Service and delivers accurate Japanese translations to users in real time.

“It focuses on major hazards affecting Hawai‘i, such as tsunamis, hurricanes, floods, high surf, strong winds, and wildfires. The app ensures that Japanese-speaking residents, students, and tourists receive the same verified information that English speakers do—instantly and without confusion. 

“Built with Laravel (PHP), MySQL, and AWS Lightsail, the app automatically retrieves alerts through the NWS API, translates and summarizes them using GPT, and sends updates via the LINE Messaging API. Each message clearly shows its source and timestamp to maintain transparency and reliability. 
 
“HawaiiAlert.jp bridges the language gap in public safety communication, helping everyone in Hawai‘i stay informed through trusted, official data—without interpretation or delay.”

2^nd Place – Taeseong Shin ( Iolani School), Lulu Wang (Punahou School), Sol Choi (Bishop Gorman High School

Grade: 12

Instructor: n/a

App: GQX (Green Quest Exchange)

Video: https://youtu.be/PMIBJPXX/nk

Summary, according to the creator: 

“GreenQuest Exchange (GQX) is a student-built platform turning climate concern into daily, trackable action. GQX has three main aspects. 

“Action Tracking: students can log everyday behaviors (walking/biking, reusables, plant-forward meals, home energy steps), where each action converts to estimated CO₂e savings using assumptions housed in the app 

Gamified Mechanics: school/user leaderboards, tree growth, streaks,and badges make progress visible and fun, making it an app fit for young students 

“Sustainable Marketplace: each school gets a moderated exchange where students post, borrow, or trade items like calculators, lab coats, art supplies, uniforms, and textbooks, or anything you can think of. That local loop reduces purchases, keeps materials in circulation, and meets real student needs. 

 “Privacy and safety are non-negotiable. GQX is hosted on Microsoft Azure with integrations through Google Firebase and MongoDB Atlas. We minimize data collection, default to private profiles, and use school-domain access where possible. We provide institution-level insights so schools can see aggregate participation and CO₂e estimates, while individual data is never shared without proper consent, in compliance with applicable regulations. 
 
“GQX is built for equity and adoption. The interface is lightweight for low-bandwidth use, mobile-first, and accessible. Moderation tools and community guidelines create safe exchanges.” 

3^rd Place – Owen Roe of Punahou School

Grade: 10

Instructor: n/a

App: The Mock Trial Online Trainer

Video: https://youtu.be/L_Y8dgDElj4

Summary, according to the creator: 

“My app was designed to help students in mock trial. Mock trial is an annual state competition that mimics real court cases. Students must work as a team to prosecute or defend a random case. This requires different people to specialize in various roles. These include questioning witnesses, playing witnesses, or making long speeches. The Mock Trial Online Trainer mirrors the mock trial system as much as possible. 

“To begin, in mock trial, there are three witnesses on each side, which is reflected in the MTOT. Each witness has a name, a title, and a short statement, which allows the user to have a starting point for their questions.

“The witnesses are split into two differently colored boxes, green for the prosecution and purple for the defense. Below the witnesses is the evidence, marked by a yellow box, including a name and a short description for each piece. Next, I made all of the different roles that students play during a trial. This includes the opening and closing statement lawyers, who give long speeches; the cross and direct lawyers, who question the witnesses; and the witnesses. 

“The statement lawyers are fairly simple; you give a speech to summarize the evidence, then the ‘adversary’ side gives their speech. In order to have the ‘adversary’ side give speeches, I used Groq’s Llama 4 Scout API to generate random text output. This AI model is effective because it has a large limit on the number of tokens it can send each day. The cross and direct lawyer roles work similarly to the statement lawyers, just in an extended format. While the statement lawyers only require one response, the cross and direct roles act as a conversation, so you must repeatedly question the witness, building upon previous statements. 

“Finally, as a witness, you are being cross-examined by the ‘adversary’ lawyer, and you must try to avoid their attacks and reaffirm your own case. 

After you have finished your case, you get judged. There is a ‘judge me’ button, available once the case is closed, which gives you a score out of 10 along with feedback on how you can improve. All of your cases are saved for later, so you are able to review your scores and see how you have improved over time. However, if you practice a lot, you can clear past cases with the clear all button.” 

The judges of Case’s 2025 Challenge were: Trung Lam, Executive Director of Hawai‘i Technology Development Corporation, a state agency that is expanding Hawai’i’s tech industry; Ellen Ng, founder of Inoa, a blockchain technology consulting firm focused on real-world asset tokenization; and Stefan Holzer, a serial entrepreneur and AI researcher who previously co-founded Fyusion, a computer-vision company in the automotive industry. 

Attachments: pictures of Rep. Case at the Entrepreneurs Sandbox, and a group shot of judges and students who participated in this year’s App Challenge with Rep. Case.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids hosted a virtual press conference on her efforts to push back on reckless tariffs that are raising prices for hardworking families during the holidays. She was joined by Nick Levendofsky, Executive Director of the Kansas Farmers Union, and Debbie Collins, retired Olathe resident, who both discussed how the administration’s trade policies are putting extra strain on Kansas families and farmers.

“This holiday season, hardworking Kansas families are feeling the pinch from these reckless tariffs,” said Davids. “From groceries to gifts, rising prices are making it harder for families to make ends meet and for small businesses to stay afloat. We need trade policies that protect consumers, support our farmers, and keep our economy strong — not ones that put everyday Americans in the middle of a financial squeeze.”

WATCH: Davids and Kansans speak on reckless tariffs increasing prices

Kansas families are already feeling the pinch. The Budget Lab at Yale University estimates the average American household will pay $2,400 more this year because of tariffs, with clothing and textiles seeing the biggest spikes. Contrary to claims that tariffs will strengthen the economy, experts warn they will instead lead to higher inflation and slower job growth.

The Trump Administration’s reckless tariffs are driving up prices for everyday Americans, making life more expensive this holiday season. According to Harvard Business School data, tariffs added roughly 0.7 percentage points to inflation in 2025, raising the cost of both imported and domestic goods. Popular holiday items are also more expensive, including:

• Clothing accessories: +15 percent
• Jewelry: +8 percent
• Household tools: +6.2 percent
• Appliances: +5.6 percent
• Meat: +6.2 percent
• Fruit: +5.5 percent
• Coffee and tea: +9.2 percent
• Household supplies like toilet paper: +4.7 percent

Many retailers — including Walmart, Dollar General, and major food producers — have announced or implemented price hikes to cover tariff costs, a burden that will continue into 2026 if these policies remain in place. American families are footing the bill for the administration’s reckless trade policies.

“I did everything I was supposed to do to plan for a sustainable retirement… but over the past several months, I’ve watched the cost of everyday items continue to rise,” said Debbie Collins, retired Olathe resident. “Because prices are higher, I’ve had to change how I shop. I go to discount stores more often, buy more discount brands of food, stock up on items when they’re on sale, and sometimes just pass on things altogether. Even with these adjustments, my grocery bill is higher than it was before… even when you have two perfect grandchildren who deserve everything. I want to thank Representative Davids for standing up for families like mine and working to push back on policies that are making life more expensive.”

“Kansas famers don’t want bailout or short-term aid. We want fair, stable trade that lets us sell what we grow and raise at a good price,” said Nick Levendofsky, Executive Director, Kansas Farmers Union. “Reckless tariffs disrupt expect markers, invite retaliation, and make it harder for Kansas farmers to compete, especially when other countries respond by shutting out US products… When farmers face higher costs and fewer markets, those pressers don’t stop at the farm gate. They move through the supply chain. That’s how tariffs end up raising prices for groceries and everyday items that Kansas families rely on… I want to thank Representative Sharice Davids again for standing up for Kansas farmers and families.”

These reckless tariffs also threaten key industries in Kansas, including agriculture and manufacturing, by increasing the cost of imported equipment and materials and by inviting retaliatory tariffs on exports. This reckless approach to trade policy underscores the need for thoughtful, bipartisan solutions that promote fair trade without harming American consumers and businesses.

 

Davids has consistently supported bipartisan approaches to trade that balance competitiveness with consumer protection. She spoke during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing on the trade disruptions Kansas agricultural producers will face due to these tariffs — a concern echoed by Kansas Farm Bureau President Joe Newland. She also visited a local toy store and manufacturer who are being hit hard by these unstable policies.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids released her 2025 End-of-Year Wrap, highlighting a year of hands-on engagement across the Kansas Third District and continued bipartisan results in Washington — delivering tangible wins for Kansas families while pushing back against extreme, partisan policies.

 

Throughout 2025, Davids focused on staying accessible to constituents, lowering costs for working families, and working across the aisle to deliver solutions that make a real difference at home.

 

“There’s more work to do in the new year to bring costs down for Kansas families, but I’m proud of the progress we’ve made together,” said Davids. “My office is here to help, and I’ll keep fighting for common-sense, bipartisan solutions that improve people’s lives and protect our communities from extreme policies that would set us back.”

 

2025 BY THE NUMBERS

 

Staying Connected to Kansans

• Responded to 194,188 constituent messages, communicating with an average of 532 Kansans every day.
• Since taking office, Davids has responded to more thanone million phone calls, emails, letters, and in-person messages.
• Reached 347,281 Kansas Third residents by text, sharing resources and gathering feedback on efforts to lower costs for working families.
• Hosted 200 private constituent meetings with Kansas residents, advocacy groups, and local businesses.
• Davids has held 1,526 constituent meetings since 2019.
• Sent 113 newsletter updates to more than 350,000 constituents, sharing information on saving money on utilities and groceries, accessing federal grants, and more.
• Joined KCUR for a town hall to discuss efforts to deliver results for Kansas City and push back against extreme policies.

 

Serving the Kansas Third — Every Day

• Resolved 1,087 constituent cases involving agencies such as the Veterans Affairs, Social Security, and the United States Postal Service.
• Since 2019, Davids has assisted 8,613 Kansans with casework.
• Hosted 34 Pop-Up Office Hours, helping residents navigate federal agencies and share feedback directly.
• Davids has hosted 236 Pop-Up Office Hours since coming to Congress.
• Recovered $12.4 million for constituents in 2025 alone, including delayed Internal Revenue Service refunds and Veterans Affairs benefits.
• Total recovered funds since 2019 exceed $33.4 million.
• Completed five stops on her Farm Bill Listening Tour, meeting with farmers and ranchers from Kansas City to rural Anderson County to inform ongoing Farm Bill negotiations.
• Helped secure $3.34 billion in federal grant funding for the Kansas Third in 2025 — even amid federal funding freezes — bringing critical resources home to local communities.

 

Delivering Bipartisan Results

• Introduced five original bills — two passed the U.S. House, and one was signed into law.
• Cosponsored 297 bills, 69 percent bipartisan.
• Davids’ cumulative bipartisan record for sponsored legislation stands at 71 percent, reflecting a consistent commitment to working across the aisle.
• Worked with the Trump Administration to deliver results for Kansans:
• Signed into law her CAREER Act, supporting people in recovery from substance use disorder as they reenter the workforce.
• Secured federal farmer aid after urging the Administration to act, while continuing to press for long-term stability for Kansas producers.
• Led the bipartisan Congressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus and coordinated with the White House World Cup Task Force to support Kansas City’s role as a host city.
• Helped secure federal investment for the Panasonic EV battery plant in De Soto, which celebrated its grand opening this year and is expected to create 4,000 direct jobs.

 

Pushing Back Against Extremism

 

As she looks ahead to 2026, Davids remains focused on showing up for Kansans, keeping costs down for working families, and delivering practical solutions that strengthen communities across Kansas’ Third District. By staying accessible at home and working constructively in Washington, Davids will continue to put people first and ensure Kansas voices are heard — no matter their political party.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On December 19, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced that the Department of Education would be winding down the Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Programs in response to a Department of Justice Office of Legal Counsel opinion calling the programs unconstitutional. Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), Chair Emerita of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC), released the following statement:

“As a former community college educator, I know that a quality, affordable college education is one of the most powerful tools to help students succeed and uplift entire communities. Yet far too many students of color, first-generation students, and low-income students face tremendous obstacles in obtaining a college degree. Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), including Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), serve over five million students nationwide and play a crucial role in breaking down these systemic barriers, empowering students, and fueling our next generation of leaders.

“The Trump administration’s unilateral attempts to terminate MSI funding and shutter these Congressionally-authorized programs are reckless and will have devastating consequences— not only for students of color, but for all students enrolled in these institutions. I will continue to fight back against these attacks on MSIs and the students they serve. Every student must have an equal opportunity to achieve their American Dream.”

Rep. Chu has been a champion for MSIs and AANAPISIs throughout her time in Congress. She has consistently advocated for their full funding during the annual appropriations process and most recently reintroduced her bipartisan AANAPISI Week resolution recognizing the important work of these institutions from September 22 – September 28, 2025.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Judy Chu (CA2-27)

PASADENA, CA – Representative Judy Chu (CA-28), founder and Co-Chair of the bipartisan Creative Rights Caucus, released the following statement regarding the ongoing competition between Netflix and Paramount Skydance for the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery: 

“Earlier this month, we learned that two major Hollywood studios would merge in a deal for Netflix to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Since then, Paramount Skydance has made multiple attempts to outbid Netflix for this acquisition. 

“Both proposed mergers have the potential to remake the film and television industry and will have an enormous impact on thousands of creative workers in my district and across Southern California. As these negotiations proceed, the parties must recognize their obligation to both the creative workforce and consumers. America’s creative economy supports jobs across the country, and these workers are responsible for creating our most important cultural exports.

“The parties must engage in robust consultation with Congress throughout this process to account for how their proposals will impact the creative industry. I will continue to work with any of my colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, to stand up for this critical industry. That includes fighting for legislation like my bipartisan, bicameral bill, H.R. 4840 – the CREATE Act, which would strengthen federal incentives for domestic film and television production.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

The Associated Press article below, titled “Head of workplace rights agency urges white men to report discrimination,” speaks for itself.

You can access the article by clicking the link here: https://apnews.com/article/dei-white-men-discrimination-andrea-lucas-eeoc-2996e71763dd0fe4b7f377eb49036fbe