MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Washington, D.C. — For the second time in two weeks, current and former Members of the House of Representatives are challenging the Trump administration’s ongoing attempt to unconstitutionally exercise control over election administration and create chaos in the upcoming midterm elections. Today’s action follows the Litigation Task Force’s successful advocacy before the Supreme Court and the denial of Donald Trump’s attempts to restrict mail-in ballots. 

154 current and former Members from the House of Representatives, Democratic and Republican, filed an amicus brief at the U.S. Supreme Court urging the justices to halt the Trump administration’s efforts to build and make available a massive illegal database containing the personal information of hundreds of millions of Americans. The expanded system, which links information from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Social Security Administration, unlawfully puts Americans’ most sensitive personal information at risk while relying on questionable data that federal agents have raised concerns may be inaccurate. Those errors could result in eligible U.S. citizens being improperly flagged and removed from voter rolls, potentially denying an untold number of Americans their constitutional right to vote.

The coalition filed its amicus brief in League of Women Voters v. Department of Homeland Security, arguing that the administration’s efforts to create and use this database violate the law on two main grounds. First, the database violates the Privacy Act, enacted by Congress in the 1970s in part to prevent the creation of a “centralized Federal information system” that would consolidate Americans’ sensitive information stored across federal agencies. And second, Congress has repeatedly declined to authorize the creation of state-by-state citizenship lists, most recently by failing to advance the SAVE Act and SAVE America Act, and so the Trump Administration is unconstitutionally violating the separation of powers by attempting to achieve through lawless executive action what it failed to achieve through legislation.

Click HERE to read the brief in its entirety.  

The bipartisan group is led by Assistant House Minority Leader Joe Neguse, who leads the House Democrats’ Litigation Task Force; Task Force Co-Chairs Oversight Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Judiciary Ranking Member Jamie Raskin; as well as House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Administration Ranking Member Joe Morelle, and Homeland Security Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson.

The Republican lawmakers that joined this court filing include former Representatives Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (2005-2017), Barbara Comstock (2015-2019), Mickey Edwards (1977-1993), James C. Greenwood (1993-2005), Steve Gunderson (1981-1997), John LeBoutillier (1981-1983), Susan Molinari (1990-1997), Claudine Schneider (1981-1991), Peter Smith (1989-1991), and David Trott (2015-2019). 

Keep scrolling to see what the leading lawmakers had to say about the matter: 

“House Democrats’ Litigation Task Force will continue to vindicate our constitution and fight back against Donald Trump efforts to disenfranchise American citizens,” said House Assistant Minority Leader Joe Neguse. “The president’s plan to create federal lists that dictate who can and cannot vote in elections is not only violative of laws enacted by Congress but also relies on questionable data Homeland Security agents themselves have said will result in an untold number of lawful citizens losing their right to vote. It is an attempt to sow chaos ahead of the 2026 midterms and must be struck down by the Supreme Court — immediately.” 

“Trump’s asking the courts to let his Administration create the very federal database Congress repeatedly declined to authorize: a comprehensive Orwellian system that collects and shares Americans’ most sensitive personal information while creating the risk of wrongly purging eligible voters from the rolls. I’m proud to stand strong with my colleagues urging the Supreme Court to protect individual Americans’ privacy and voting rights—and the integrity of our free and fair elections—from this outrageous and illegal power grab,” said Ranking Member Jamie Raskin. 

“The Trump Administration is trying to create a massive database of Americans’ sensitive personal information that could disenfranchise voters across the country. This system relies on incomplete data that directly targets the right to privacy and the right to vote. We are urging the Supreme Court to stop this immediately and protect Americans’ right to vote,” said Ranking Member Robert Garcia.

“No matter how hard he tries, Donald Trump will never succeed in taking over our elections,” said Leader Jeffries. “I am grateful to Reps. Neguse, Garcia, Raskin, Morelle and Bennie Thompson and the Litigation Task Force for leading House Democrats in this latest effort to stand up to Donald Trump’s ongoing unlawful and unconstitutional effort to sow chaos ahead of the midterms, deny eligible Americans the right to vote and exert undue federal control over our elections.” 

“Democrats and Republicans agree – this Administration cannot ignore Congress. Once again, Trump is mounting a wildly illegal attack on our elections. Presidents do not control our elections. The American people do,” said Ranking Member Joe Morelle.

“There’s a reason our Constitution gives states and Congress the power to manage our elections: to stop despots like Donald Trump,” added Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson. “The Supreme Court must stop Trump’s illegal actions to create error-ridden citizen databases to disenfranchise voters and rig our elections.”

Background 

The Litigation Task Force launched in the first month that followed President Donald Trump’s chaotic return to office. We immediately set out to push back against an administration showing no respect for the Constitution or rule of law—and haven’t stopped since.

I the fight to protect American election security: last Tuesday, the Task Force urged the Supreme Court to block Trump’s Executive Order seeking to exert control over mail-in ballots ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. As noted above, less than a week later, the Court agreed and barred the USPS from putting the challenged mail-ballot requirements into effect for the 2026 midterm election.  

For more information on the Litigation Task Force’s efforts to protect Americans against the unlawful actions of the Trump administration, visit litigationandresponse.house.gov. 

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

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green, Ranking Member of the Financial Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, shared remarks in a Financial Services Hearing entitled, “The Annual Testimony of the Secretary of the Treasury on the State of the International Financial System.”

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s remarks by clicking here. The hearing remarks highlighted are also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter).  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C.— Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) joined Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.), Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (R-Mich.), and Rep. Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) to discuss how House Republicans are continuing their work to root out fraud and protect taxpayer dollars for hardworking American families. Leader Scalise also highlighted Democrats’ record of voting against anti-fraud legislation and emphasized the importance of what’s at stake this November.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full remarks.
On Republicans making life more affordable for American families:“This is a very busy and important week in the House. We have over 75 pieces of legislation that we’re going to be moving out of the House. So there’s a lot that we’re doing. And frankly, we’re going to continue working to make life more affordable for working families. “And every step of the way, we’ve been having Democrat opposition. Democrats do not care about working families. They’ve proven it time and time again with their votes. And I think you’re going to see that in the next 49 days when we go before voters and talk about the differences between us and them, who’s actually fighting to make life more affordable for working families. “And then you look at the socialist agenda of the Democrats, these communists, and what they want to do. They want to repeal the working families tax cut, which means they want to take money out of the pockets of working families, reverse the benefits of things like no tax on overtime that 30 million Americans benefited from. [Chairwoman] Lisa [McClain] talked about the 35 million seniors who have benefited from no tax on Social Security. You think about no tax on tips, almost 10 million Americans benefiting from that. Average income, by the way, of a tip worker is $32,000 a year.”On Democrats voting against condemning fraud: “Democrats want to take that money out of their pocket, send it to Washington to continue committing fraud. Yes, fraud. They have supported every measure to continue fraud in America when we’ve tried to root out fraud. In fact, this week we’re bringing more bills to root out fraud in America, and we’ll expect to see Democrats oppose it like they’ve opposed every other measure to stop fraud and the theft of taxpayer dollars. We all know about the learing centers. We all know about so much other waste, fraud, and abuse that we’ve been able to not only root out, but as we root it out, we’ve been able to give that money back to working families. “Democrats want to reverse those gains. I want to tick off a few numbers because I think it’s important. 97% of Democrats voted against supporting fraudulent payments before they go out the door. Just checking to make sure they’re not fraudulent. Almost every Democrat said nope, let the money, your tax dollars, go out the door even if you know it’s fraudulent. “90% of Democrats voted against deporting illegals who commit fraud. So somebody comes here illegally, then they steal your taxpayer dollars. And we said, okay, shouldn’t that be enough? If you steal the taxpayer dollars of hardworking Americans, you should be sent back to your country. Democrats said, nope, they should be able to stay in America and keep stealing money. “90% of Democrats voted against that protection for taxpayers. Almost 90% voted against establishing an office dedicated to combating fraud throughout the federal government.” On Democrats embracing socialism:“We had a bill on the floor just 2 weeks ago to say, shouldn’t we just denounce socialism? We all know the ills of it all around the world, throughout America, throughout the world’s history. You’ve seen how socialism has led to death, poverty, squalor. And yet almost every Democrat voted against that bill because they support socialism. They support communism. Now their party has been taken over. It’s insane to see what’s happened.”

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

(Washington, DC) — On Tuesday, September 15, 2026, Congressman Al Green delivered remarks on the House floor as he brought H.Res. 1486 before the House as a privileged resolution, prompting a vote on the impeachment of President Donald John Trump.

You can access and listen to Congressman Al Green’s speech on his official YouTube page or by clicking here. The floor speech highlighted is also accessible on various social media platforms, including Bluesky, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly known as Twitter). 

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

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

Legislation Addresses Financial Burden for Survivors Whose Rights Were Violated by Federal Gov’t, Including Lost Income, Medical Costs, Housing Stability, Trauma

As a Survivor of Sexual Abuse, Pressley Has Led Calls for Accountability, Highlighted Economic & Emotional Harm Borne by Epstein Survivors

Bill Text | Bill Summary | Press Conference | Photos

WASHINGTON – Today, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), alongside Congresswomen Teresa Leger Fernández (D-NM) and Deborah Ross (D-NC) introduced the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act, first-of-its-kind legislation that would create a restitution fund in the judicial branch for survivors of sexual violence whose rights were violated by the federal government, including all survivors of abuse by Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. Congresswoman Pressley announced this historic proposal alongside survivors and survivors’ rights advocates at a press conference on Capitol Hill.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Pressley has been a dedicated advocate for survivors’ justice and recently discussed the long-lasting economic and emotional harms that Epstein survivors continue to carry while rarely seeing meaningful accountability.

The Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act would create a historic investment to support survivors of sexual violence and hold the federal government accountable when it fails to protect survivors’ rights under the Crime Victims’ Rights Act. The estimated lifetime cost of rape is $122,461 per victim. This legislation would address the burden survivors carry, including significant long-term economic and non-economic impacts of sexual violence, from lost income and medical costs to housing instability and enduring trauma.

“The financial, physical, and emotional trauma that survivors of sexual violence carry is a lifetime sentence,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “By no choice of their own, survivors can incur debilitating costs due to medical needs, lost income, housing instability, and mental health support. Far too often, the federal government has been complicit and failed to meet its moral and legal obligation to fight for accountability and relieve this economic burden—our bill would change that by holding our government, abusers, and their co-conspirators to account and helping our survivors get on a pathway to healing. The ignored burden that survivors carry is a stain in our legal system and must be addressed immediately.”

“Survivors should never have to pay the price when our government fails to protect them,” said Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández. “For too long, survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s horrific abuse were denied justice while powerful people were protected. That failure has real costs: lost wages, medical bills, housing instability, and trauma that can last a lifetime. We cannot undo the harm, but we can make sure survivors are not left to carry the burden alone. The Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act gives survivors that path to restitution.”

“Far too often, we have seen our government fail survivors of sexual violence who have risked everything to come forward,” said Congresswoman Deborah Ross. “Trauma is often just one part of the burden survivors carry, and it is often compounded by lost income, housing insecurity, and economic hardship. We have seen this play out in the administration’s treatment of survivors of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s abuse, who have been dismissed and demonized. Now more than ever, we must ensure all survivors receive the justice they deserve. I am proud to introduce this bill to establish a first-of-its-kind economic relief fund for survivors of sexual violence.”

According to the Bureau of Justice Statistics, there are tens of thousands of rape and sexual assault victimizations annually, amounting to 23 violent victimizations for every 1,000 people in 2024. Despite its prevalence, approximately two out of three sexual assaults go unreported.

When a survivor takes action to report the crime, the Crime Victims’ Rights Act grants them specific protections, including the right to timely and accurate notice of any release of the accused. However, the Jeffrey Epstein sweetheart deal is proof that these rights are not always enforced. Furthermore, there is no relief for survivors when their victims’ rights are violated.

To support survivors of sexual violence and empower survivors who choose to come forward, the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act would:

• Establish the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Program to provide compensation to eligible victims for harm and losses.
• Create an independent Office of Special Adjudicators for Survivors Restitution within the U.S. Court of Federal Claims to review petitions and determine awards through a streamlined, non-adversarial, and trauma-informed process.
• Establish the Survivors Rights Restitution Fund within the Department of the Treasury to finance awards through federal forfeiture proceeds tied to trafficking and sexual exploitation offenses, voluntary contributions, and authorized appropriations.

The bill is cosponsored by: Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Becca Balint, Joyce Beatty, Wesley Bell, Brendan Boyle, Salud Carbajal, André Carson, Yvette Clarke, Lou Correa, Jim Costa, Madeleine Dean, Maxine Dexter, Debbie Dingell, Maxwell Frost, Robert Garcia, Jesús “Chuy” Garcia, Sylvia Garcia, Adelita Grijalva, Hank Johnson, Sydney Kamlager-Dove, Summer Lee, Stephen Lynch, Sarah McBride, Jennifer McClellan, LaMonica McIver, Christian Menefee, Kweisi Mfume, Gwen Moore, Eleanor Holmes Norton, Chellie Pingree, Mike Quigley, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Andrea Salinas, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Shri Thanedar, Rashida Tlaib, Paul Tonko, James Walkinshaw, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, and Frederica Wilson.

This bill is endorsed by: Democratic Women’s Caucus; World Without Exploitation; me too. International; Women’s HQ; UltraViolet Action; National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; Safe Exit Initiative; RIA, Inc.; National Alliance to End Sexual Violence; Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA); My Life My Choice; National Network to End Domestic Violence; National Women’s Law Center Action Fund; Boston Area Rape Crisis Center; Survivor Justice Network; Equal Rights Advocates; Sexual Violence Prevention Association (SVPA); Victim Rights Law Center; Them Apples Music; Justice for Migrant Women; Esperanza United; National Women’s Political Caucus; Feminist Majority; Legal Momentum, the Women’s Legal Defense & Education Fund; South Asian SOAR.

“Sex trafficking survivors are often asked to take enormous risks to report their abuse and cooperate with the justice system, only to find that the same institutions demanding their trust can fail to protect their rights,” said Becca Zipkin, Vice President of Policy and Programs, World Without Exploitation. “Survivors of Jeffrey Epstein experienced that failure in one of the most public cases imaginable, but they are far from alone. At World Without Exploitation, we work alongside survivors who know that justice must include changing the systems that allow exploitation to flourish and holding institutions accountable when they fail the people they are supposed to protect. The Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act is an important step toward that goal by giving survivors a meaningful path to redress when the federal government violates their rights. It also recognizes something survivors have long told us — economic justice is survivor justice.”

“As a survivor who has worked alongside thousands of survivors I’m clear that the full story of what it actually takes to survive is not often told. Alongside the mental, physical and emotional toll of the violence that we endured is the financial burden of untangling the web that the trauma creates to try and find our way back to ourselves – there is an actual cost to that work and it’s rare that we have support footing that bill. This country and our government has to ask itself what does it owe survivors? Rep. Pressley is doing her part to begin answering that question,” said Tarana Burke, Co-Founder and Chief Vision Officer, Me Too

“Survivors have been paying the price for their assault for far too long,” said Liz Speakman, Executive Director, Boston Area Rape Crisis Center. “We know that money is not what heals trauma but it goes a long way to providing the space, time and resources to make the path a little easier.”

“Survivors should not have to spend decades paying for crimes committed against us. When institutions fail us, that failure becomes generational trauma. We deserve privacy, dignity, and restitution—not someday, but now. Congresswoman Pressley’s bill gives survivors a path forward,” said Dani Bensky, survivor and advocate.

“As a survivor of Jeffrey Epstein’s crimes, I am heartened by the introduction of the Survivors’ Rights Restitution Act of 2026. This vital legislation not only acknowledges our trauma but also provides a pathway to justice with meaningful compensation. It’s time for Congress to act swiftly, reinforcing that survivors deserve to be heard, believed, and supported in our healing journey,” said Lara Blume McGee, Survivor and CEO of Team Up World.

Text of the bill can be accessed here and a bill summary is available here. Video from the press conference can be accessed here, and photos can be accessed here.

As a survivor of sexual abuse herself, Congresswoman Pressley has led Democrats on the House Oversight Committee calling for a full, public Oversight hearing to prioritize the individuals who survived the horrific abuse perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their associates, and whose firsthand accounts may not be sufficiently represented in the Department of Justice’s records.

Rep. Pressley has led the demand for a hearing with survivors as the Committee has continued its investigation and after the Congresswoman successfully helped pass a motion by Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Congresswoman Summer Lee to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files.

In May 2026, Congresswoman Pressley and House Oversight Committee Democrats held a field hearing in Palm Beach on the Epstein investigation and centering survivors’ experience. Rep. Pressley discussed the long-lasting economic and emotional harms that survivors continue to carry while rarely seeing meaningful accountability. Following the hearing, Rep. Pressley made an impassioned call for accountability, healing, and restorative justice for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse.

In recent interviews, Rep. Pressley described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her.

Throughout her time in Congress, serving on the Boston City Council, and her entire life, Rep. Pressley has been a champion for justice for survivors of sexual violence and reproductive freedom.

• In May 2026, Pressley and House Oversight Committee Democrats held a field hearing in Palm Beach on the Epstein investigation. Rep. Pressley discussed the long-lasting economic and emotional harms that survivors continue to carry while rarely seeing meaningful accountability. Following the hearing, Rep. Pressley made an impassioned call for accountability, healing, and restorative justice for survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse.
• In April 2026, Pressley joined Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Oversight Democrats in filing a resolution to hold former Attorney General Pam Bondi in civil contempt of Congress after she failed to appear for her legally-binding, bipartisan subpoena to be deposed on the Epstein investigation and the White House’s cover-up of the Epstein files. Less than an hour later, Republicans announced a date for Bondi’s appearance before the committee.
• In April 2026, Pressley issued a statement after First Lady Melania Trump echoed Congresswoman Pressley’s longstanding calls for a Congressional hearing that centers survivors of Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse. 
• In March 2026, Pressley delivered an impassioned speech for survivors of sexual violence and trauma—including for activists with the farm workers’ movement, including Dolores Huerta, who shared their stories publicly earlier this month.
• In February 2026, Pressley joined survivors of Epstein’s abuse and members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus to demand transparency, accountability, and healing for survivors. Rep. Pressley condemned the botched, partial release of the Epstein files by Trump’s Department of Justice that exposed the identities of survivors while redacting alleged abusers’ names.
• In December 2025, Pressley condemned the Trump Admin after Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed that the Department of Justice will fail to release all of the Epstein files to the public by the legal deadline set by the Epstein Files Transparency Act, the law that was forced through by House Democrats and signed into law by President Trump in November.
• In November 2025, Pressley applauded the House vote to release the Epstein files and renewed her push for Congressional action and accountability.
• In September 2025, Pressley held a media availability with Ranking Member Robert Garcia and Committee Democrats following a closed-door Oversight Committee roundtable with survivors of unconscionable exploitation and abuse perpetrated by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their co-conspirators.
• In September 2025, in response to pressure from Rep. Pressley, the House Oversight Committee held a closed-door roundtable with survivors of the unconscionable exploitation by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their co-conspirators.
• In August 2025, Pressley reintroduced the Protections and Transparency in the Workplace Act to combat sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace.
• In August 2025, Pressley led committee Democrats in calling for a Congressional hearing to prioritize the individuals who survived the horrific abuse associated with  by Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and their associates, and whose firsthand accounts may not be sufficiently represented in the Department of Justice’s records.
• In August 2025, Pressley issued a statement after Chairman James Comer issued a subpoena to the Department of Justice (DOJ) to release files relating to child sex trafficker and Trump’s longtime friend Jeffrey Epstein. This action came after Rep. Pressley successfully helped pass a motion by Congresswoman Summer Lee and Ranking Member Robert Garcia to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files.
• In July 2025, Pressley in an interview described why her work to subpoena the Epstein files is deeply personal to her.
• In July 2025, Pressley joined the successful effort to pass a motion by Congresswoman Summer Lee and Ranking Member Robert Garcia to force the Committee to subpoena the Epstein files.
• In July 2024, Rep. Pressley reintroduced the Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination (BE HEARD) in the Workplace Act of 2024. 
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley renewed her calls for accountability and survivor-focused solutions following the damning reports of a toxic work environment at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). 
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley also sent a letter to the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) requesting information about the botched closure of FCI Dublin, abuse of women while they were being transferred to other facilities, and BOP’s management of investigations into the staff sexual misconduct and abuse at FCI Dublin and other federal BOP facilities.
• Rep. Pressley is also a lead co-sponsor of H.R. 5388, legislation that would prevent the Secretary of Education from rolling back Title IX protections for survivors, as well as H.Res. 560, a resolution calling for an impeachment inquiry into Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, following reporting on new allegations of sexual misconduct committed by the Associate Justice.
• In April 2019, following the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2019, Rep. Pressley issued a statement honoring her mother, Sandra Pressley, a survivor of domestic violence. Rep. Pressley is also the lead co-sponsor of an amendment to the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) that would establish the first-ever grant program dedicated to supporting LGBTQ+ survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking, which passed the House of Representatives in March 2021.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Washington, D.C. – United States Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Greg Steube (FL-17), and Mike Thompson (CA-04) announced that the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act was signed into law. The legislation will extend current law to deliver critical tax relief to Americans impacted by federally declared natural disasters.

Under this legislation, victims will more easily be able to deduct qualified casualty losses for federally declared disasters between July 4, 2025, and December 31, 2026. It also ensures certain disaster relief payments are not treated as taxable income. These provisions will ensure disaster victims are not penalized by the tax code as they recover from catastrophic events.

“The last thing families and communities recovering from natural disasters should have to worry about is an additional tax burden when they’re trying to get back on their feet,” said Rep. Panetta. “I’m proud that our bipartisan legislation has been signed into law to ensure that wildfire relief payments and hurricane losses continue to qualify for fair tax treatment. This new law will provide disaster-impacted Americans with the certainty, time, and tools they need to rebuild and move forward.”

“This delivers long-overdue certainty to Americans rebuilding after natural disasters. Disaster victims should be focused on rebuilding their homes, businesses, and communities, not worrying about an unexpected tax burden on the assistance they receive,” said Rep. Steube. “I’m grateful to President Trump for signing this important legislation into law and ensuring families across the country receive the relief they deserve. Congressman LaMalfa worked tirelessly to get this legislation across the finish line, and it is fitting that his legacy of service will live on for years to come.”

“Californians are all too familiar with the devastation caused by wildfires. In the wake of losing their homes and livelihoods, it is wrong to tax survivors on settlement money that is meant to help them rebuild their lives,” said Rep. Thompson. “Survivors can’t afford to wait around for retroactive tax relief. I’m proud to have worked with Rep. Steube to pass this law extending the original tax relief Doug fought with us to achieve. Now, we have expanded this critical relief so even more survivors can be compensated.”

The legislation was led in the Senate by Senators Adam Schiff (D-CA) and Rick Scott (R-FL). The legislation was originally introduced as the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2025, but was later renamed to the Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act to honor Rep. Doug LaMalfa, who passed away in January of 2026. 

“Surviving a natural disaster can place an enormous financial burden on families. It is critical that we support victims of devastating disasters like the wildfires in California and across the country. That’s why I was proud to team up with Senator Rick Scott and Representatives Greg Steube, Mike Thompson and Jimmy Panetta to provide tax relief to the victims of natural disasters and why I am so grateful to see our bipartisan bill signed into law. We must ensure that those hit the hardest when disaster strikes receive the support and the tax relief they need to recover. And in seeing our bill become law, we affirm a vital part of the late Doug LaMalfa’s legacy,” said Sen. Schiff. 

“After disaster strikes, impacted Americans should be focused on rebuilding their lives and their communities – not surprise changes to their tax bills. After speaking with so many Americans in Florida and across the country impacted by natural disasters, including meeting Spencer Pratt at his burned-down home and touring the aftermath of the Palisades Fire, I knew we had to do something. Now that President Trump has signed this bill into law, I’m grateful to have worked with Spencer, Rep. Steube, and Sen. Schiff to ensure those affected by hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters continue to receive the real tax relief – and the peace of mind – they deserve,” said Sen. Scott. 

The Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2023 previously delivered billions in tax relief to Americans recovering from hurricanes, floods, wildfires, tornadoes, and other federally declared disasters. The Doug LaMalfa Federal Disaster Tax Relief Certainty Act builds on that effort by extending these provisions so disaster victims can continue to access relief under the tax code.

 

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