JOINT LEADERSHIP STATEMENT ON REPUBLICANS REFUSING TO END THE AIRPORT CHAOS 

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

Know Your Immigration Rights

If you or a loved one encounter immigration enforcement officials, it is essential that you know your rights and have prepared your household for all possible outcomes.

Ask for a warrant: The Fourth Amendment of the Constitution protects you from unreasonable search and seizure. You do not have to open your door until you see a valid warrant to enter your home or search your belongings.

Your right to remain silent: The Fifth Amendment protects your right to remain silent and not incriminate yourself. You are not required to share any personal information such as your place of birth, immigration status or criminal history.

Always consult an attorney: You have a right to speak with an attorney. You do not have to sign anything or hand officials any documents without speaking to an attorney. Try to identify and consult one in advance.

The New York City Office of Civil Justice and the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) support a variety of free immigration legal services through local nonprofit legal organizations. To access these resources, dial 311 and say “Action NYC,” call the MOIA Immigration Legal Support Hotline at 800-354-0365 Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. or visit MOIA’s website.

Learn more here: KNOW YOUR IMMIGRATION RIGHTS  – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries

Reps. Castro, Kim Advance Bill Out of Committee to Counter China’s Growing Influence

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

March 27, 2026

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) and Congresswoman Young Kim’s (CA-40) Securing Partner Supply Chains Act, which helps U.S. allies and partners build the tools to protect their economies from hostile foreign investment, passed out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) with bipartisan support.

“The United States has spent decades building robust tools to screen foreign investment for national security risks — but many of our partner countries have not, and that gap is being exploited by countries like China,” said Congressman Castro. “The bipartisan Securing Partner Supply Chains Act directs the State Department to give our partners the technical assistance and training they need to build their own investment screening tools and protect their sovereignty.”

“The Chinese Communist Party is using investment as a weapon to infiltrate and control America’s most critical supply chains,” said East Asia and Pacific Chairwoman Young Kim. “This bill gives our allies the tools they need to block malign foreign investment, protect their economic sovereignty, and reduce dependence on Beijing. If we want secure and resilient supply chains, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with our partners to push back on the CCP’s coercion.”

The bill directs the State Department to establish a three-year initiative on Foreign Investment Screening to protect partners and allies from China’s growing interest in strategic sectors like critical minerals, energy, and telecommunications.

View the full text of the Securing Partner Supply Chains Act here.


Pappas, Bacon Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Combat Predatory Practices Used by Claim Sharks

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02), introduced the Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to combat predatory practices used by claim sharks to spam government lines with auto-dialers to collect information about veterans’ benefits.

Consumer protection laws already prohibit the use of auto-dialers from making calls to certain numbers, such as 911 and other emergency lines as well as rooms in hospitals and elderly living facilities. The Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act would amend current law by prohibiting auto-dialers from making calls to a telephone number assigned to a federal department or agency.

“Unaccredited, for-profit companies are using robocallers and veterans’ personal information to spam VA hotlines about their benefits, identify any increases, and immediately send them a bill for thousands of dollars. It’s outrageous and must be put to a stop,” said Congressman Pappas. “My legislation would prohibit the use of robocallers to spam government lines to shield veterans from this predatory practice. For years I have led the fight against claim sharks breaking the law and exploiting legal loopholes to defraud veterans, and I won’t stop. I will continue to combat these predatory practices, reign in claim sharks, and safeguard the benefits our veterans have earned.”

“Our veterans should never be targeted by bad actors trying to profit off their hard-earned benefits – many at great cost to veterans and their families,” said Congressman Bacon. “The Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act takes a commonsense approach to crack down on predatory practices and protect veterans from exploitation. I’m pleased to join Rep. Pappas in introducing this important bipartisan legislation to safeguard the benefits our veterans have earned.”

This bipartisan legislation is supported by Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars, Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), The American Legion, National Association of County Veteran Service Officers (NACVSO), and National Organization of Veterans’ Advocates (NOVA).

“The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) applauds the bipartisan Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act for closing a critical loophole that currently permits predatory actors to use automated ‘robo’ calls to exploit veterans and overwhelm federal benefit hotlines,” said VFW National Legislative Service Associate Director Joe Grassi. “This commonsense legislation aligns with our unwavering interest in safeguarding veterans’ personal information, protecting VA claims support, and ensuring veterans remain in control of their earned benefits.”

“The New Hampshire Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) fully supports this legislation, recognizing its importance in safeguarding Veterans from intrusive robo calls and ensuring that federal phone lines remain accessible for those who rely on them.” Darwin Beeman, Commander Department NH VFW.

“As we leverage new technology on behalf of veterans, we must also protect them from bad actors looking to use these same advances to exploit those seeking the benefits they’ve earned through service,” said Lt Gen Brian Kelly, president and CEO of the Military Officers Association of America. “The Veterans Benefits Information Protection Act is a strong step forward, one that will make a real difference in the wider fight against claim sharks.”

The bill text is here. 

Background: 

Unaccredited claims representatives, or claim sharks, are not subject to VA standards. They strategically advertise their services to avoid regulatory oversight and as a result, may engage in predatory and unethical practices that target veterans and rob them of their VA benefits. Federal laws and regulations prohibit anyone from assisting a veteran in the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of a VA benefit claim, or charging a fee for this assistance, without accreditation from VA. However, VA and other federal agencies are limited in their ability to enforce existing law because explicit criminal penalties were stripped from statute nearly two decades ago. This has contributed to the proliferation of unaccredited claims representatives in recent years, a troubling development especially as more veterans receive the benefits they’re owed thanks to the Honoring Our PACT Act.

In December, Pappas led a bipartisan group of more than 40 members in sending a letter to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau highlighting the disturbing and escalatory tactics of claim sharks, including those in reporting from NPR, and demanding the agencies immediately investigate and take meaningful action to curb these practices and protect veterans. 

Pappas has repeatedly called on VA to improve awareness, chairing an oversight hearing on the topic, and has introduced the GUARD VA Benefits Act in the 117th, 118th, and 119th Congresses. His GUARD VA Benefits Act would reinstate criminal penalties for unaccredited claim representatives who charge unauthorized fees while assisting veterans with filing a claim for VA disability compensation benefits. This legislation will discourage for-profit companies from operating outside the bounds of federal law, and will give VA and other agencies an additional tool to protect veteran claimants from predatory practices.

Pappas to Host Pop-Up Passport Fairs in Manchester and Durham

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

During these events, Granite Staters can receive assistance from National Passport Center staff with their passport application or renewal

The office of Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), in collaboration with the National Passport Center,  will host two Pop-Up Passport Fairs to assist First District constituents with their passport-related issues, including applying for a passport for the first time or renewing an existing passport.  

On Tuesday, April 7th, staff from the National Passport Center will be available by appointment from 11:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M. at the Mall of New Hampshire at the JCPenney Court in Manchester to assist individuals with passport applications or renewals. Those interested in the Manchester fair should register here. 

On Wednesday, April 29th, the Passport Fair will be held in Room 338/340 of the Memorial Union Building at the University of New Hampshire in Durham from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Those interested in the Durham fair should register here.

Congressman Robert Aderholt's Statement in Support of H.R. 7084; Defending American Property Abroad Act

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

Extension of Remarks in in Support of H.R. 7084; Defending American Property Abroad Act:

Mr. Speaker, 

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives is acting in response to a situation in which a foreign government shut down an American company’s operations, seized its property, and ignored the rule of law. 

When an American business is targeted in this way, it is not just an attack on one company, it is an attack on American workers, American jobs, and American interests.

Vulcan Materials, an Alabama company, has lawfully operated for 35 years in Mexico. Yet the Mexican government illegally seized its assets. If this can happen to an Alabama company today, it can happen to any American business tomorrow.

That is why this legislation, H.R. 7084, the Defending American Property Abroad Act is so important. It allows the United States to take real action against foreign entities that seize American property.

This is about fairness and accountability. It is about ensuring that American companies and workers are not punished for following the rules while foreign governments face no consequences for breaking them. With this, we are ensuring protection for American companies that operate in the Western Hemisphere. 

The protection of American property rights overseas is essential not only for economic growth but also for our national and economic security. When we stand up for our businesses, we stand up for the workers and communities who depend on them.

I am proud to support H.R. 7084 because it defends American property owners from wrongful seizure and sends a clear message: the United States will stand beside its companies, its workers, and its values.

Following ICE Misconduct, Rep. Stevens Introduces the Hold ICE Accountable Act to Create Independent Oversight of DHS

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Hold ICE Accountable Act, legislation to establish an independent Special Prosecutor to investigate unlawful conduct by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

In January 2026, ICE agents fatally shot two American citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in Minneapolis. Neither had a criminal record and public evidence has raised significant questions about the circumstances. In addition, recent reports have raised alarm over DHS and ICE practices, including excessive force, wrongful detention, racial profiling, and more than 40 deaths in ICE custody since the start of the Trump Administration.

The legislation creates a clear process to appoint an independent Special Prosecutor to investigate alleged illegal conduct by DHS personnel that occurred after January 19, 2025.

“No one is above the law. Period,” said Rep. Stevens. “The American people deserve confidence that ICE officers will be investigated fairly and thoroughly, no matter who is involved. Every single one of Trump’s ICE officials, from the very bottom to the very top, including senior leadership, must face justice for the crimes they commit. ”

Following the model of the 1978 Ethics in Government Act, the Hold ICE Accountable Act would:

  • Allow the U.S. Attorney General or any State Attorney General to request a Special Prosecutor with the authority to investigate alleged illegal activity by DHS officers and employees occurring after January 19, 2025.
  • Establish a process to appoint the Special Prosecutor, who must be independent, have no ties to the current administration, and demonstrate integrity, impartial judgment, and relevant experience.
  • Grant full investigative and prosecutorial authority, equivalent to that of a United States Attorney, including the power to pursue related offenses such as perjury, obstruction of justice, destruction of evidence, and witness intimidation.
  • Authorize the Special Prosecutor to hire staff necessary to carry out their duties.
  • Ensure independence from Trump’s Department of Justice while maintaining oversight by Congress and the courts.
  • Protect the Special Prosecutor from political retribution, allowing for removal by the Attorney General only for good cause—such as misconduct or incapacity—with any removal subject to judicial review. A Special Prosecutor improperly removed may be reinstated.
  • Eliminate qualified immunity for any DHS officer or employee indicted by the Special Prosecutor, allowing for civil actions against ICE officers and strengthening accountability.

Stevens has been leading the fight to hold ICE accountable in Congress and to rein in Donald Trump’s repeated abuses of power during his Administration.

  • Stevens called for the immediate removal of Secretary Kristi Noem and cosponsored an effort to impeach her in the House of Representatives.
  • Following Secretary Noem’s removal, Stevens called on the Senate to delay confirmation of Noem’s successor unless ICE reforms were secured.
  • Stevens and her Michigan colleague, Rep. Hillary Scholten visited an ICE detention facility in Baldwin, Michigan, to tour conditions and demand answers to their letter over the death of detainee Nenko Gantchev in ICE custody in December. Following their visit, Stevens and Scholten doubled down on their demands for answers from ICE and Secretary Noem.
  • Stevens cosponsored H.R. 7163, a proposal to divert ICE’s $75 billion slush fund to state and local law enforcement agencies. Stevens also voted against the “One Big Beautiful Bill” which authorized the slush fund in the first place.
  • Last year, Stevens cosponsored the VISIBLE Act to prohibit ICE agents from wearing masks and concealing their identities.
  • Stevens joined over 150 of her colleagues in demanding that ICE end its surge of officers in Minnesota and conduct a thorough investigation into the death of Renee Nicole Good at the hands of an ICE agent.
  • Stevens introduced the Stop Trump’s Abuse of Power Act, legislation to prevent the President from deploying the military against Americans without express consent from state officials, an authoritarian tactic this President has used repeatedly to fuel fear and intimidation during aggressive ICE crackdowns.
  • Stevens voted against the Laken Riley Act, which would sweep thousands of people into jails and detention centers at enormous taxpayer expense while diverting key law enforcement resources and potentially violating civil liberties.

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Salinas, Merkley, Hoyle-Led Letter Forces ICE to Confirm: No Plans to Expand or Build ICE Detention Facilities in Oregon

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

Washington, D.C. – Today, in response to an inquiry led by U.S. Congresswomen Andrea Salinas (OR-06) and Val Hoyle (OR-04) and Senator Jeff Merkley and signed by Senator Wyden and U.S. Congresswomen Bonamici, Dexter, and Bynum, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Acting Director Todd Lyons confirmed that, “ICE is not currently planning to expand current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in Oregon.”

“Oregonians never wanted an ICE detention facility in our state, especially as ICE and DHS have repeatedly abused their power and terrorized our communities,” said Salinas. “I am glad that the Administration confirmed they currently have no plans to build or expand any ICE detention facility in Oregon. I have consistently demanded full transparency and accountability from ICE and the Trump Administration for their misconduct, and I will keep using every avenue available to call out ICE’s overreach and keep our communities safe.”

“Again and again, ICE has been caught lying to the American people, so we should be skeptical of anything they tell us,” said Merkley. “Trump is hellbent on deploying his secret police across Oregon, and we won’t stand for it. I say HELL NO to any plans to expand ICE facilities or operations in Oregon, whether it’s office space, detention centers, or anything else the Trump Administration cooks up.”

“The President has taken us into war, gas and grocery prices are skyrocketing and people can’t afford health care,” said Rep. Val Hoyle. “We need leadership that actually puts the needs of Americans first instead of spending taxpayer dollars to militarize our streets. We don’t need more money wasted on having a larger ICE presence here to harass, intimidate and detain hardworking Oregonians based on the color of their skin. Thanks, but no thanks.”

On February 12, 2026, Congresswoman Salinas and Senator Merkley led their democratic Oregon delegation colleagues and ten additional House Members in a letter opposing any plans to open or expand ICE detention facilities in Oregon, including a potential facility in Newport. They also demanded details about the safety and standards of “soft-sided” facilities. 

On March 26, 2026, Acting Director Lyons responded to confirm that ICE currently does not have plans to build or expand any ICE facility in Oregon. The response indicates that ICE does not plan to move forward with a soft-sided detention facility in Newport, as had previously been reported. The response also provided details about the conditions of their soft-sided facilities. It claims that detainees are provided with three nutritious meals a day, that facilities are subject to inspections and audits conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General, and that detainees are provided with sufficient clean clothing. These claims are contrary to many reports from detainees inside ICE facilities, and the Members will continue pushing for the truth about conditions in ICE facilities.

“Oregonians do not want or need ICE in our state,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “ICE has confirmed that they do not plan to open any additional detention facilities in Oregon, and we will hold them to that while we work to make our communities safer by getting masked, armed ICE agents off our streets.”

“ICE should be defunded and dismantled—and it should not be allowed to build new detention facilities anywhere. I’m grateful that in our home state of Oregon, ICE has said there are no plans to expand or build any new detention facilities. Oregonians are united in rejecting the cruelty this agency brings to our communities,” said Dexter.

“ICE has already caused so much damage in our community. From tear-gassing kids to tearing families apart, this agency is out of line and has no place in our cities,” Rep. Bynum said. “I’m glad that ICE confirmed that they do not have any plans right now to add detention facilities in Oregon. I’ll continue to work with my colleagues to keep them out of our city and our state.”

Click here or see below for the full letter response from Acting Director Todd Lyons:

Thank you for your February 13, 2026 letter to the Department of Homeland Security(DHS). I am responding on behalf of the Department. 

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is committed to safe, secure, and humane environments for all of those in its custody. ICE continues to evaluate bedspace requirements and availability and is committed to strategically using existing detention beds in a fiscally responsible manner. As part of its detention operations, aliens in ICE custody are housed at a variety of facilities across the United States, including ICE owned and operated facilities; federal, state, county, or local facilities contracted through intergovernmental service agreements; and contractor owned and operated facilities. ICE constantly evaluates its detention needs and contract structures based on changes in immigration patterns, the operational needs of the agency, and the availability of resources.

ICE’s enhanced enforcement operations have resulted in a significant number of arrests of criminal aliens, requiring greater detention capacity. As part of these efforts, ICE is exploring various options to increase bedspace capacity nationwide working in collaboration with federal partners such as the U.S. Marshals Service, the Department of War, and the Bureau of Prisons.ICE will continue to prioritize its resources and work closely with its network of federal, state, local, and private sector partners to ensure the agency can acquire sufficient bedspace to fully achieve its mission.

Regarding potential detention facilities in Oregon, ICE is not currently planning to expand current detention facilities or open any new long or short-term detention facilities in Oregon. As for detention expansion outside of Oregon, ICE issued a solicitation under the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command’s Worldwide Expeditionary Multiple Award Contract vehicle to identify vendors to provide comprehensive detention operations and wraparound services including facility, grounds maintenance, and operations services at all newly acquired facilities. ICE anticipates making awards under this solicitation in the coming months and plans to onboard facilities by the end of Fiscal Year 2026. All detention facilities are acquired, constructed, and operated in accordance with federal regulations, court orders, and national detention standards. Unfortunately, ICE cannot provide additional details due to law enforcement sensitivity and operational security maintenance.

Additionally, you request information regarding the capacities of ICE’s soft-sided facilities. Camp East Montana, located in El Paso, Texas, is an over 72-hour facility with an average length of stay of 10 days. The Krome North Service Processing Center, which includes a soft-sided facility, in Miami, Florida, is an over 72-hour facility with an average length of stay of 23 days.

All of ICE’s detention facilities, including soft-sided facilities, are contractually obligated to operate in accordance with one of several sets of detention standards. The detention standards describe a facility’s immigration detention responsibilities, explain what detainee services a facility must provide, and identify what a facility must do to ensure a safe and secure detention environment for staff and detainees.

Specifically, soft-sided facilities operate in accordance with National Detention Standards 2025. To ensure compliance with each contract’s terms and conditions and the applicable detention standards, DHS and ICE employ a robust, multilevel oversight and compliance program. At the agency level, Detention Service Managers and Detention Standards Compliance Officers monitor detention conditions through daily on-site compliance reviews to identify deficiencies, areas of concern, contract and facility issues, and to facilitate corrective actions. Additionally, facilities are subject to inspections and audits conducted by the DHS Office of Inspector General, the DHS Office for Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, the DHS Office of the Immigration Detention Ombudsman, and the ICE Office of Detention Oversight within ICE’s Office of Professional Responsibility.

During their immigration proceedings, detainees are afforded numerous procedural protections that ensure they are provided with notice and an opportunity to be heard. In removal proceedings, these protections include, but are not limited to, the right to be represented by an attorney, to contest any charges of removal, to present evidence, and generally to examine evidence against them. While the government does not provide attorneys at the government’s expense, all those arrested by ICE and placed into removal proceedings are provided with a list of free legal services and aid resources, including pro bono providers. 

Additionally, ICE facilities continue to provide detainees with opportunities to meet privately with their current or prospective legal representatives, legal assistants, interpreters, and consular officials. While in-person contact visits remain available at the request of legal representatives, non-contact legal visitation (e.g., video teleconference) is available, wherever possible. This offers an alternative for attorneys to communicate with detained clients in a timely and efficient manner, especially when in-person visitation is not possible or practical.

While in detention, detainees reside in temperature-controlled environments at all times. Furthermore, detainees are provided with three nutritious meals a day and meals that support specialized diets, including religious diets and more than a dozen therapeutic diets, as well as cultural preferences. Menus are reviewed and approved on a regular basis by a registered dietitian to ensure appropriate nutrition is provided. Additionally, detainees are provided with clean bedding and “sufficient clean clothing” during their time in detention.

Currently, the Office of Professional Responsibility does not inspect state-owned and operated facilities such as the soft-sided facility in Miami, Florida. The Office of Detention Oversight conducts congressionally mandated compliance inspections of ICE detention facilities that house ICE detainees pursuant to contractual obligations. Camp East Montana is currently the only soft-sided facility subject to Office of Detention Oversight inspection. The Office of Detention Oversight inspected Camp East Montana, which is contractually obligated to the National Detention Standards 2025 inspection standard, from February 10 to 12, 2026. The report is currently being drafted. ICE will publish the final report by April 13, 2026, 60 days after the inspection.

In your letter, you request “a detailed list of every detention standard that has been waived for a soft-sided facility in CY 2025.” As previously mentioned, all of ICE’s detention facilities operate in accordance with national detention standards. ICE has not approved any waivers of detention standards for any of the soft-sided facilities.

Thank you again for your letter. 

Amata Emphasizes Congressional Intent for $3 Million ASCC Funding She Requested

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative for Western Samoa Congresswoman Aumua Amata

Headline: Amata Emphasizes Congressional Intent for $3 Million ASCC Funding She Requested

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is emphasizing Congress’s intent that $3 million go to American Samoa Community College (ASCC) out of the yearly ASG Operations Fund from the Office of Insular Affairs (OIA), which receives $29 million for American Samoa from Congress through Interior Appropriations.

Group picture at ASCC with educators and congressional staff

These funds have been secured for fiscal year 2026, and Congresswoman Amata has testified about these funds, requesting an overall increase, for the upcoming fiscal year 2027 appropriations process. 

For the past three years, at Congresswoman Amata’s request, $3 million of the Operations Fund is to be allocated to ASCC, as passed by Congress. The fund is currently $29 million, so the remaining $26 million of the fund is still an increase of several million over past funding. The fund has been boosted by Congress most years since fiscal year 2018, due to Amata’s yearly efforts.

“I greatly appreciate Chairman Tom Cole of the Appropriations Committee ensuring that our ASCC report language was included, and accompanies the final version passed into law,” said Congresswoman Amata. “This expresses clear congressional intent, worded in the manner common to Washington legislative report language, conveying the spending instructions and expectations of the Appropriations Act.”

“I know our college personnel and faculty are doing good work with their limited resources,” continued Aumua Amata. “These funds should make a visible difference for our campus, classrooms, equipment and scholarship efforts – all to help our students take their next step.”

“In making these funding requests to influential Chairmen and senior Members of Congress, I always emphasize our islands’ record of service, our population of veterans and military families, and the realities of our island economy, and these considerations are the underlying basis for this appropriation to benefit our college,” said Aumua Amata. “ASCC is a major priority as accessing college education can be a real financial and geographic challenge for our students.”

“What better way to make use of operations funds than by investing in our territory’s college and students?” Amata concluded. “We want to empower every high school graduate with achievable options to consider here in our own islands.”

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Congressman David Scott Requests Nearly $32 Million in FY2027 Community Project Funding Priorities for Georgia’s 13th District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), a senior member of the House Agriculture and House Financial Services Committees, announced a list of twenty Community Project Funding priorities in the 13th Congressional District for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 appropriations cycle.

Each Fiscal Year, Members of Congress can request Federal funding from the House Committee on Appropriations for up to fifteen community projects in their home districts. As part of that process, Congressman David Scott solicited requests through stakeholder meetings and member level engagement and submitted the list of projects outlined below. These Federal dollars provide vital resources to improve transportation and water infrastructure, enhance public safety, and help veterans access lifesaving health care.

“In every vote I cast and every bill I fight for, my focus is simple: delivering results for the people I represent in the 13th District,” said Congressman David Scott. The nearly $32 million in Federal funding I have requested is going directly back into our neighborhoods—to repair roads, modernize schools, expand access to clean water, and create good-paying jobs. These priorities represent crucial investments in infrastructure and services that will strengthen our communities and bolster local economies for Georgians. I look forward to working closely with officials from across the district on each request to ensure we address the needs of the hard-working families we serve.”

Congressman Scott’s projects include:

Project: Gwinnett Hidden Forest Water Main Replacement

Description: The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners would use this funding to replace and construct approximately 4,500 feet of pipe to replace substandard drinking water distribution mains in the Hidden Forest neighborhood.

Project: Newton County Alcovy Pump Station Improvement Project

Description: Newton County would use this funding to replace existing raw water pumps, repair the Alcovy Pump station deck, and install new electrical feed equipment to increase water supply by 4.5 million of gallons per day.

Project: Lawrenceville Redland Creek Greenway – phase I

Description: The City of Lawrenceville would use this funding to develop a pedestrian and multi-use trail connecting downtown Lawrenceville and the Gwinnett County Discovery Park, ensuring ADA accessibility.

Project: Stockbridge Willow Springs Drinking Water Replacement Project

Description: The City of Stockbridge would use this funding to replace failing water distribution pipes and replace lead service lines with new, lead-free service line.

Project: Gwinnett Accessible Pedestrian Upgrades Project

Description: The Gwinnett County Board of Commissioners would use this funding to make several pedestrian improvements in high-traffic areas, including the installation of accessible pedestrian signals, crosswalk infrastructure and curb ramps.

Project: Rockdale County Trail and Parks Safety Project

Description: Rockdale County would use this funding to install safety cameras at parks, trailheads, and along trails in the county and purchase all-terrain vehicles to improve safety and security within Rockdale County parks and trails, deterring vandalism and illegal dumping while assisting law enforcement with reliable footage and allowing parks staff to patrol trails.

Project: Clayton Police Department Real Time Crime Center Expansion Project

Description: The Clayton County Police Department would use this funding to upgrade its real-time crime center, including closed circuit television monitoring, license plate reader systems, flock camera integration, real-time video monitoring and analytics, and data sharing equipment.

Project: Henry County Schools Food Hub Project

Description: The Henry County Public Schools Foundation would use this funding to establish a no-cost, school-based food hub, including installing shelving, refrigeration inventory-tracking software, and other equipment needed to develop a food hub.

Project: Jonesboro Accessible Playground Project

Description: The City of Jonesboro would use this funding to make upgrades to Massengale Park, a park centrally located near one of the busiest commercial areas in the city, to improve accessibility under the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Project: Rockdale County Accessible Outdoor Improvements – Phase I Project

Description: Rockdale County Public Schools would use this funding to implement phase I of a capital project improving access to outdoor learning and community-facing school spaces, including for students with disabilities.

Project: Stockbridge Willow Springs Clean Water Project

Description: The City of Stockbridge would use this funding to replace wastewater infrastructure in the Willow Springs Neighborhood. Specifically, the project will replace 2,245 linear feet of force main and upgrade manhole and air release infrastructure.

Project: Snellville Downtown and Briscoe Park Connecting Trail Project

Description: The City of Snellville would use this funding to develop 2,000 linear feet of paved trail to connect Briscoe Park with Snellville’s newly revitalized downtown to provide greater access to downtown Snellville, connecting private business, community centers, and recreational opportunities.

Project: Newton County Health Equipment Project

Description: The Newton County Board of Commissioners would use this funding to purchase Stryker Cardiac Monitors, Lucas CPR Devices and training units, and service plans for the devices to allow Newton County first responders to better respond to public emergencies and provide critical care.

Project: Gwinnett County School-Based Health Center

Description: Gwinnett County Public Schools would use this funding to renovate a school-based health center and purchase capital equipment including exam tables and high intensity lighting to provide health services to Gwinnett students.

Project: Lovejoy Multi-Modal Safety & Economic Connectivity Project

Description: The City of Lovejoy would use this funding to improve pedestrian and commuter safety along commercial corridors, including sidewalk connectivity, pedestrian crossing improvements, installation of lighting infrastructure, and ADA-compliant ramps.

Project: Lovejoy Public Safety Equipment Project

Description: The City of Lovejoy would use this funding to purchase police cruisers, license plate readers, a radar unit, laser speed detection devices, and storm warning system software to better enforce laws, respond to crime, and inform law enforcement operations during extreme weather events.

Project: Regional Impact Health Foundation Workforce Development and Health Support Mobile Unit

Description: The Regional Impact Health Foundation would use this funding to purchase a 38-foot mobile unit including private intake rooms, a medical exam room, ADA accessibility features, wheelchair lift, check-in station, and cabinetry to provide job placement services, physical therapy, and behavior health support.

Project: Rockdale County Fire Safety Training Complex Project

Description: Rockdale County would use this funding to construct a Fire Safety Training Complex to allow local law enforcement and other first responders to train in fire safety more easily, improving recruitment and retention and helping first responders better respond to fire emergencies.

Project: University of Georgia Research Infrastructure

Description: The University of Georgia would use this funding to purchase lateral-move irrigation systems, upgrade electrical and control systems, and purchase research and data collection systems to improve agricultural research and practices in Georgia.

Project: MARTA Mobility Paratransit Fleet Modernization and Reliability Initiative

Description: The Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority would use this funding to replace two MARTA Mobility paratransit vehicles that have exceeded their federally defined useful life to provide paratransit services for individuals with disabilities.

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Natural Resources Democrats Force Vote to Subpoena Donald Trump Jr. Over $670 Million Taxpayer-Funded Deal

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

March 25, 2026

Washington, D.C. – At today’s Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee hearing on the critical minerals supply chain, Subcommittee Ranking Member Maxine Dexter (D-Ore.) forced a vote to subpoena Donald Trump Jr. to testify under oath about his financial stake in Vulcan Elements and how he potentially benefited from insider influence after his father, President Trump, funneled over $670 million taxpayer dollars into the company. Vulcan Elements, a rare earth startup, received a $620 million Pentagon loan three months after Trump Jr.’s firm invested in the company. It got another $50 million deal when the federal government bought partial ownership in the company. Full Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) backed the motion.

Republicans voted to block the subpoena, shielding the President’s son from scrutiny about the largest loan the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital has ever issued. Every Republican who voted is now on the record refusing to apply the oversight standard they spent two years and millions of taxpayer dollars in their investigation of Hunter Biden. Republicans then immediately shut down their hearing to prevent debate.

Ranking Member Huffman: “I want to also ask about Vulcan. Donald Trump Jr., name partner in 1789 Capital. In August of 2025, they took an equity stake in Vulcan. Three months later, the administration commits $620 million, the largest loan that the Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital has ever made. And it went out without competitive bids, with the tech, without the technical disclosures that are used to verify whether a project is even viable before public money goes in. That was waived. Should the American people be concerned that the President’s son has a financial stake in a company that just received this huge windfall from the Pentagon?”

After the Republicans moved to adjourn the subcommittee hearing, Ranking Member Huffman asked: “What are you so afraid of? It’s a parliamentary inquiry. Taking this extraordinary move, to shut down debate and prevent a vote on this motion that is so squarely within the purpose of this committee.”

Ranking Member Dexter: “The Department of Commerce committed over $1 billion to USA Rare Earth before the company even completed its foundational feasibility study to raise the private funding the deal required. USA Rare Earth hired Cantor Fitzgerald, a firm now run by Commerce Secretary Lutnick’s own son. Secretary Lutnick approved federal investment in a company that was simultaneously paying his son’s firm to raise money for that same deal. Donald Trump Jr. is a named partner at 1789 Capital. He told reporters he is personally involved in deciding where that firm invests. In August 2025, 1789 Capital took an equity stake in Vulcan Elements. Three months later, the administration committed $620 million to that same company, the largest Pentagon loan of its kind, with no competitive process, no independent verification, and no conflict-of-interest review anywhere to be found. [N]ot long ago, House Republicans spent two years and millions of dollars investigating Hunter Biden on the theory that a president’s son profiting from his father’s office requires congressional investigation. We are done waiting for Republicans to fulfill their responsibility to conduct oversight. Donald Trump Jr. must be made to answer whether the president’s son illegally profited from his father’s presidency. Pursuant to Clause 2(k)(6) of Rule XI, I move the Committee subpoena Donald Trump Jr.”

Background

In August 2025, 1789 Capital, the venture capital firm where Donald Trump Jr. serves as a named partner, purchased an equity stake in Vulcan Elements as part of a $65 million fundraising round. Trump Jr. told the Financial Times he was “very involved in the strategic decisions regarding where to invest our resources” at the firm.

Three months later, the Trump administration committed $620 million in federal loans and $50 million in equity to that same company, without competitive procurement and without the independent technical review required to verify a mineral project’s viability before public money goes out the door. President Trump’s executive order on minerals, EO 14241, had waived that requirement. The loan was worth more than twice Vulcan’s entire valuation at the time.

No public record exists of any conflict-of-interest review, recusal, or financial disclosure related to Trump Jr.’s stake. At least four companies in 1789 Capital’s portfolio received federal contracts or awards from the Trump administration in 2025, totaling more than $735 million. The administration has not responded to a February 2 letter from Ranking Members Huffman, Garcia, and Heinrich demanding documents and a briefing on equity deals across the critical minerals program. Democrats forced today’s vote because the administration and the Republicans in Congress have refused to seek answers. 

Special Treatment for the President’s Son

House Republicans spent two years and millions of taxpayer dollars demanding accountability for a president’s son profiting from his father’s office. They subpoenaed Hunter Biden. They voted to hold him in criminal contempt. They said the standard applied to everyone:

  • Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer: A president enriching his family through public office is “abuse of the highest order.”
  • Ways & Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith: “No one should be shielded from legal scrutiny based on their last name.”
  • Rep. Paul Gosar (R-Ariz.), who chairs the Natural Resources Oversight & Investigations Subcommittee: “[T]he president should be held accountable for abusing public office for his family’s financial gain.”
  • Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Vice Chair of this Subcommittee, called the Bidens “the most corrupt political family in American history” and co-led impeachment articles against President Biden.

Today, those same Republicans voted to give Donald Trump Jr. the special treatment they swore no president’s son would receive. They blocked a subpoena seeking his testimony on the same question they spent two years asking about Hunter Biden: whether a president used public office to enrich his family.

The facts in this case are stronger. The official government action is a $620 million DOD loan and $50 million in equity; the clear beneficiary is the President’s son. Both are matters of public record. Chairman Comer said no one gets special treatment because of their last name. Today, the Trump name got exactly that. 

Corruption Breaks Supply Chains and Drives Up Costs for Americans

Critical minerals are essential to defense systems, energy infrastructure, and the supply chains that keep Americans’ costs stable. When federal contracts go to politically connected investors instead of qualified companies, those supply chains break down.

Research across 30 countries has documented how corruption in minerals contracting leads to litigation, shutdowns, and production delays lasting years. Companies that win contracts through political connections rather than technical merit frequently lack the expertise to produce at scale. The result is less supply, higher costs, and deeper dependence on China for the minerals that power American energy and national defense.

The Trump administration has waived competitive bidding, eliminated independent technical verification for taxpayer-funded mineral projects, and steered billions to companies with direct financial ties to the President’s family and political donors. Democrats will continue pressing for answers.

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