MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) introduced a constitutional amendment requiring the federal government to operate under a balanced budget, restoring fiscal discipline and protecting future generations from Washington’s addiction to spending and debt.

The amendment would permanently prohibit deficit spending by limiting total federal expenditures to the average annual revenue collected over the previous three years, adjusted for population growth and inflation, with limited exceptions for national emergencies and war. Congress could exceed the spending limit only with approval from a two-thirds supermajority in both chambers, ensuring any exceptions are necessary and broadly supported. During a declared war, Congress would retain the ability to exceed the limit to meet national security needs.

The amendment also places a two-thirds supermajority requirement on any bill that creates a new tax or increases an existing tax rate, ensuring that Washington cannot simply tax its way out of its own irresponsibility.

“Washington’s spending addiction is bankrupting our country and mortgaging the future of every American family,” said Congressman Biggs. 

“This amendment restores the most basic principle of fiscal responsibility: you cannot spend what you do not have. Families and businesses live by that rule–it is long past time that the federal government does too. Trillion-dollar deficits have become routine, and Washington behaves as if there is no limit to the damage it can impose. This amendment puts guardrails on a system that has run completely off the road.

“We do not need another commission, another study, or another press conference about the debt. We need binding rules, written into the Constitution, that force Congress to live within its means. The American people demand a government that works for them—not one that buries them under debt.”

The amendment may be read here.

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

On the one-year anniversary of President Donald Trump’s second term as president, Representative Sharice Davids reflected on her work delivering bipartisan results for Kansans while continuing to push back against policies that threaten families, farmers, workers, and vulnerable communities.

“My job isn’t to play politics — it’s to deliver results for Kansans,” said Davids. “I’ve always said I’ll work with anyone, including President Trump, when it’s good for Kansas, and over the past year that approach has delivered real results — from helping bring a passport agency to Kansas City to supporting farmers and helping people get back to work. And when extreme policies raise costs for families, threaten Social Security, or put communities at risk, I won’t stay silent. I’ll keep showing up, telling the truth, and fighting for Kansans.”

Over the past year, Davids has worked with the Trump Administration where it benefited Kansas families and the Kansas City region, including:

• Advancing the new Kansas City Passport Agency, now under construction, which will save families hours of travel when they need passports quickly.
• Passing the CAREER Act, signed into law by Trump, to help people recovering from substance use disorder reenter the workforce.
• Securing federal aid for Kansas farmers while continuing to push for long-term trade stability instead of short-term fixes.
• Leading the bipartisanCongressional FIFA World Cup 2026 Caucus and coordinating with the White House Task Force to support Kansas City as a host city.
• Joining the President’s aviation leadership celebrating the continued implementation of her bipartisan next-generation aviation law, shaping the future of American air mobility.
• Pressing the administration to act on National Weather Service staffing, resulting in NOAA beginning to hire hundreds of critical employees in Kansas after dangerous cuts.

Davids has also forcefully opposed actions that would raise costs for Kansas families, all while giving huge tax giveaways to billionaires, including:

• Fighting reckless tariff policies that raise costs for farmers and families — with estimates showing households paying thousands more each year.
• Pushing back on attempts to cutMedicaid, threaten rural hospitals, restrict reproductive health care, and reduce food assistance to fund billionaire tax breaks.
• Opposing DOGE’s federal funding freezes and mass firings impacting Tribal programs, Head Start, cancer research,  domestic manufacturing, and fire departments.
• Speaking out against threats to Social Security, meeting directly with seniors concerned about service cuts and access.
• Defending Kansas manufacturing jobs after Trump-era cuts — and successfully pushing for temporary funding restoration.
• Condemning the shutdown of the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ crisis support line and urging its immediate reversal.
• Pressing the administration to put Kansas farmers first, opposing foreign agricultural bailouts and pushing for direct support for producers in the Kansas Third.

Whether working across the aisle to secure investments and create jobs or pushing back against policies that raise costs and threaten basic protections, Davids continues to center her work on what helps Kansas families succeed — not partisan politics. She has made clear that she will keep showing up, working with anyone when it benefits Kansas, and speaking out when it does not.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1663, the Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion (VSAFE) Act, which was introduced by Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-41) last year. The bill will establish a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

“We owe it to our veterans to protect them from scams and fraud that could cause serious financial and personal hardship,” said Rep. Calvert. “The VSAFE Act will make sure the VA has the tools it needs to prioritize the coordination of its scam and fraud prevention activities. I thank my House colleagues for standing with me to have the backs of our veterans.”

According to a report from the Federal Trade Commission, U.S. veterans and military retirees reported $350 million in total fraud losses in 2023. While a number of departments and staff work in an uncoordinated manner to combat fraud within the VA and other agencies, the VSAFE Act will establish a comprehensive effort that will assist our veterans by establishing a Veterans Scam and Fraud Evasion Officer in the Department of Veterans Affairs who is responsible for all fraud prevention efforts. By providing veterans with more consistent guidance on how to identify, report, and avoid fraud and scam attempts, we can reduce their occurrence and protect their hard-earned benefits. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Roger Williams (25th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Main Street Parity Act (H.R. 5763), advancing bipartisan legislation to expand access to capital for America’s small businesses. This bill, introduced by Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25), ensures fair and equal treatment for all industries participating in the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 loan program.

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Congressman Roger Williams is the Chairman of the House Small Business Committee and a member of the House Financial Services Committee. He proudly represents the 25th Congressional District of Texas.

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 Fox News’ America Reports to discuss President Trump’s commitment to law and order, the rampant fraud in Minnesota, and Democrats’ calls to defund and abolish ICE. Additionally, Leader Scalise touted President Trump’s historic year in office of reversing Biden’s failures and delivering on his promises.

Click here or the image above to view Leader Scalise’s full interview. 
Highlights from Leader Scalise’s interview:On President Trump restoring law and order amid anti-ICE chaos:“Well, what President Trump is trying to do is restore law and order in a place that has deemed themselves a sanctuary city and frankly, made it less safe for the people of Minneapolis, which is really unfortunate because I think you talk to most people, they want safety and security in their streets. They want violent criminals out of this country, and they support law enforcement. Unfortunately, the left has moved further and further away from that. They want to defund ICE. They want to defund police. This is really, I think, the craziness of where the left is going, where their position is against law enforcement. We’ve got to get back to law and order.”On the widespread fraud in Minnesota:“Also, [Rep. Omar] is trying to defend the billions of dollars of fraud stolen from taxpayers in Minneapolis. You’ve seen the fraud from the Somali population that’s on full display. We can’t even tell you how high the number is. It started in the billions. It could be in the double-digit billions, John, stolen from the American taxpayer. People in Minnesota, daycare centers, where the money is supposed to go to kids, and in fact, it was stolen. Some of it might have ended up in the hands of terrorist organizations outside of America. They want to cover that up. We’re not going to cover it up. We’re holding hearings on this. We’re going to get to the bottom of it. The Trump Justice Department is going to hold people accountable. If people stole money from the taxpayer, they ought to go to jail.”On Democrats opposing DHS funding:“Well, think about this: The Democrat Minority Leader has been for open borders for a long, long time under Joe Biden. He let it happen. When President Trump got elected in part on a platform of securing America’s border, we brought a bill to fund the security of the border, securing America’s border, funding more border patrol, and giving them the tools so they can take on the cartels in Mexico. And Hakeem Jeffries led the fight against that. He voted against it. So is it any surprise that he wants to defund our Homeland Security Agency? Of course not. We’re still going to move these bills because it’s important that the government get funded and we do our business.”On Democrats’ radical agenda and President Trump delivering on his promises: “The Democrats want to defund the police. They want to defund law enforcement. Ultimately, what they really want to do is impeach Donald Trump. They’ve made it very clear they are the party of impeachment. That’s why they want power. They want to take the House back in November so they can immediately impeach the President and stop the agenda. That’s what they care about, is power, just raw power. I think people are sick of that naked search for power as opposed to working with this President, who was duly elected to go get this country back on track, to mop up the mess that Joe Biden created. Four years of higher costs, higher inflation, out-of-control policies, open border, millions of people coming in illegally, including criminals. President Trump was elected to stop it, and he’s doing that. He’s following through on his promises. Just a year in, today, a year in, and a lot of things that have already been done, and there’s more work to do, and Democrats want to stop that progress.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Rep. Veasey, Helsinki Commissioner, Cosponsors Bipartisan Legislation to Block Unauthorized Military Action Against NATO Allies

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Marc Veasey (D-TX), announces that he will be cosponsoring bipartisan legislation to prevent any U.S. president from carrying out unauthorized military actions against a NATO ally or territory.

The bipartisan legislation, led by Representatives Bill Keating (D-MA), Don Bacon (R-NE), Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Brendan Boyle (D-PA) and Marc Veasey (D-TX), is a direct response to reports that President Donald Trump has openly weighed the use of military force to seize Greenland, a Danish territory and NATO partner. Such an action would violate NATO’s Article V and threaten the stability of America’s most important alliance.

“I’ve seen firsthand how strong alliances keep America safe and keeps America first,” said Congressman Marc Veasey. “Let me be crystal clear: no president has the power to drag the United States into a war against our own allies. This shouldn’t even be a question. This bill shuts the door on reckless, unlawful military action and sends an unmistakable message that Congress will defend NATO, our Constitution, and our national security.”

Rather than relying solely on war powers resolutions, the legislation uses Congress’s constitutional power of the purse to prohibit the use of funds or personnel for military action against NATO countries without explicit congressional authorization.

“This isn’t just about one territory or one threat,” said Congressman Veasey. “It’s about whether America honors its commitments or blows them up for political theater. I’m proud to stand with Democrats and Republicans to protect Americans, our allies, and prevent a catastrophic breach of trust.”

Cosponsors: Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA), Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE), Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-PA), Rep. Marc Veasey (D-TX)

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) introduced a bill to permit commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex when both chambers of Congress are out of session. Currently, such filmmaking and photography is authorized only in Union Square. Norton’s bill would provide an economic and patriotic boost to the nation’s capital by allowing commercial filmmakers and photographers to showcase the Capitol in its fullest authenticity to the nation and the rest of the world. 

The expanded commercial filmmaking and photography would be subject to the same conditions and requirements that exist for commercial filmmaking and photography in Union Square. Norton said her bill addresses any security concerns by giving Capitol Police full discretion on when to issue permits. Norton’s bill is part of her effort to expand public access to public spaces, particularly around the Capitol.

“It should be unthinkable to deny access to film the Capitol, one of our nation’s most iconic democratic symbols,” Norton said. “Preventing commercial filming at one of the world’s most recognizable institutions is inconsistent with our country’s values and makes little sense as a policy. Allowing commercial photography and filmmaking throughout the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex would promote global understanding of our nation’s democratic institutions, while supporting economic growth for D.C.”

Norton’s introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton On the Introduction of a Bill to Permit Commercial Filmmaking and Photography on the Grounds of the U.S. Capitol

January 20, 2026

Today, I introduce a bill that would permit commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the grounds of the U.S. Capitol Complex.  Currently, such filmmaking and photography is only authorized in Union Square.  Film and television productions that involve the Capitol should not have to go to other cities or use a fake building. 

This bill would allow commercial filmmaking and photography outside of the Capitol and congressional office buildings by permit, as long as neither chamber is in session.  The policy allowing commercial filmmaking and photography in Union Square shows that the Capitol Police can handle commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex, especially when Congress is not in session. However, the Union Square vantage point captures the least familiar view of the Capitol.  Preventing commercial filmmakers and photographers from shooting throughout the Capitol Complex is neither business-friendly nor true to the nation’s democratic traditions.  Encouraging commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol would help spread the story of democracy around the world. 

This bill would give the Capitol Police complete discretion to issue a permit for commercial filmmaking and photography throughout the Capitol Complex under the same terms and conditions as those for commercial filmmaking and photography in Union Square.  No policy or security reasons exist to justify limiting commercial filmmaking and photography at the Capitol Complex to Union Square, especially considering that permits are necessary.  Visitors are regularly seen taking videos and pictures around the Capitol Complex, demonstrating the arbitrary nature of limiting commercial filmmaking and photography to Union Square. 

This bill would provide the Capitol Police authority to charge fees to cover any costs incurred by the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) for permit approval.  The fees would be deposited into the Capitol Trust Account, which was established to accept fees collected from commercial filmmaking and photography permits for Union Square.  Amounts in the Capitol Trust Account would be available without fiscal year limitation for maintenance, improvements and projects the AOC considers appropriate, subject to the approval of the Appropriations Committees. 

Views of the Capitol are among America’s most iconic. Limiting commercial filmmaking and photography of the Capitol, an important vehicle for telling the nation’s story, does not serve the American people. Commercial films and photographs of the Capitol, the seat of our democracy, are perhaps the best modern vehicles for telling the nation’s story and showcasing its democratic system of government. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill. 

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today introduced the No Private Bounty Hunters for Immigration Enforcement Act, legislation to prohibit the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from outsourcing civil immigration enforcement functions such as skip tracing, surveillance, and location verification to private contractors operating under profit-driven or incentive-based arrangements.

“Turning immigration enforcement into a profit-seeking enterprise crosses a dangerous line,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “We are already seeing reckless use of force in militarized federal immigration operations, including fatal shootings and aggressive raids with little transparency or accountability. There is no justification for outsourcing coercive power to for-profit, armed private bounty hunters who would operate with even fewer safeguards. The answer is accountability under the law, not profit-driven enforcement in the shadows.”

“For months, the Trump administration has encouraged federal agents to use increasingly lawless and violent tactics against members of our communities,” said Kate Voigt, Senior Policy Counsel at the ACLU. “Using private bounty hunters is just one of the many inhumane tactics DHS is using to terrorize our communities and kidnap our neighbors. Congress must pass the ‘No Private Bounty Hunters for Immigration Enforcement Act’ without delay.”

The legislation comes amid mounting scrutiny of ICE and DHS enforcement practices nationwide. In recent weeks, fatal shootings by federal immigration agents in Minnesota, Illinois, and Oregon have drawn public outrage and renewed questions about the agency’s use of force, internal accountability, and investigative transparency during large-scale raids. At the same time, investigative reporting has revealed that ICE has relied on private firms, including companies tied to the for-profit detention industry, to track and locate individuals using commercial data and surveillance tools, raising alarms about privatized enforcement operating beyond meaningful public oversight.

Last year, Krishnamoorthi sent a letter to DHS leadership warning that proposals to hire private contractors to locate, surveil, and report on individuals within immigrant communities would invite abuse, errors, and the erosion of public trust, particularly in an enforcement system already struggling with oversight, vetting, and accountability.

The No Private Bounty Hunters for Immigration Enforcement Act would:

• Bar DHS from contracting with private entities to conduct skip tracing, surveillance, or location verification for civil immigration enforcement;

• Require the termination or amendment of existing DHS contracts that authorize those activities;

• Prohibit per-person or bonus-based payments that incentivize contractors to locate individuals subject to civil immigration detainers; and

• Direct the DHS Inspector General to conduct a rapid audit of all DHS contracts to ensure compliance.

The bill text is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Latta Joins DOT Secretary Duffy in Avon Lake for the Freedom Means Affordable Cars Tour

Source: United States House of Representatives – Rep Ro Khanna (CA-17)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Peter Welch (D-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-CA-17) led 74 bicameral colleagues in urging the Trump Administration to push back against Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Israeli Government’s efforts to annex the West Bank, which have accelerated in recent weeks.  

In their letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers expressed grave concerns about Israel’s ongoing efforts to undermine the Trump Administration’s stated policies and violate international law by illegally expanding settlements and forcibly displacing Palestinians from their lands, with irreparable consequences for the long-term peace and security of both Israelis and Palestinians.   

The lawmakers wrote: “U.S. leadership is crucial at this moment. We need tangible steps to back these words with action, if we are to preserve the ceasefire in Gaza and the possibility of a negotiated two-state solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict,”   

“Despite the United States’ opposition to annexation, segments of the Israeli government have recently reaffirmed their commitment to advancing Israeli sovereignty in the West Bank. Alongside the Knesset’s preliminary approval of two draft bills to impose Israeli sovereignty over the West Bank, that body is also considering dozens of other proposed bills which, if enacted, would formalize various forms of annexation,” wrote the lawmakers. “Of particular concern are bills that would absorb settlements north, east, and south of Jerusalem to create an expanded municipality under Israeli control.” 

The lawmakers continued: “Combined with the recent approval of the E-1 settlement project directly east of Jerusalem, these proposals would divide the West Bank into northern and southern enclaves, severing the contiguity of Palestinian land and —quite deliberately—undermining the viability of a future Palestinian state. While this legislation is under consideration, de facto annexation through targeted violence, intimidation of Palestinian communities, and forced displacement is already widespread. Throughout the West Bank, Israeli settlers are driving Palestinians off their land and expanding Israeli settlements, including in Taybeh, Wadi Foquin, Silwan, and Al-Walaja.” 

“We strongly urge the State Department to clearly communicate to the Israeli Government the negative consequences that the pending Knesset bills and construction of the E-1 settlements would have on the prospects for peace and security in the region, on the daily lives of Palestinians, and on Israel’s relations with the United States,” the lawmakers continued. “We urge the Administration to reimpose sanctions under Executive Order 14115 and to condemn the acts of de facto annexation undertaken by Israeli settlers.” 

The lawmakers concluded: “As you, President Trump, and Vice President Vance have said, Israeli efforts to apply sovereignty or annex parts of the West Bank via the Knesset pose a grave risk to peace in the region and should not be pursued.” 

In addition to Senator Welch, the letter is signed in the Senate by Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.), Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii), Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Ed Markey (D-Mass.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jack Reed (D-R.I.), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Tina Smith (D-Minn.), Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), Rev. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.), Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.).   

In the House, the letter is signed by Rep. Khanna and Reps. Gabe Amo (D-RI-01), Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ-03), Becca Balint (D-VT-At-Large), Don Beyer (D-VA-08), André Carson (D-IN-07), Troy Carter (D-LA-02), Greg Casar (D-TX-35), Sean Casten (D-IL-06), Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20), Judy Chu (D-CA-28), Yvette Clarke (D-NY-09), Emanuel Cleaver (D-MO-05), Steve Cohen (D-TN-09), Jasmine Crockett (D-TX-30), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT-03), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Maxine Dexter (D-OR-03), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX-37), Veronica Escobar (D-TX-16), Dwight Evans (D-PA-03), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), John Garamendi (D-CA-08), Jesús García (D-IL-04), Al Green (D-TX-09), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ-07), Dan Goldman (D-NY-10), Jared Huffman (D-CA-02), Val Hoyle (D-OR-04), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL-01), Sara Jacobs (D-CA-51), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-07), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA-37), Robin Kelly (D-IL-02), Sam Liccardo (D-CA-16), Zoe Lofgren (D-CA-18), Stephen Lynch (D-MA-08), Seth Magaziner (D-RI-02), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA-04), Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), James McGovern (D-MA-02), Kweisi Mfume (D-MA-07), Dave Min (D-CA-40), Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Jerrold Nadler (D-NY-10), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY-12), Chellie Pingree (D-ME-01), Mark Pocan (D-WI-02), Scott Peters (D-CA-50), Mike Quigley (D-IL-05), Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Janice Schakowsky (D-IL-09), Lateefah Simon (D-CA-12), and Nydia Velázquez (D-NY-07). 

The letter is endorsed by J Street and New Jewish Narrative. 

“J Street is deeply grateful for Sen. Welch’s leadership in pushing Secretary of State Rubio and the Trump Administration to ensure that the Israeli government ceases efforts toward de facto annexation of the West Bank. The unacceptable escalation in settler violence in recent years is now being complemented by formal Israeli government actions seeking to expropriate Palestinian land in the West Bank. These actions are working together hand in hand in an attempt to prevent a future Palestinian state,” said Hannah Morris, VP of Government Affairs, J Street. “Palestinian statehood, not occupation and annexation, is what will bring peace for both Israelis and Palestinians. For the sake of all in the region, the Israeli government must reverse these cruel and counterproductive actions.”  

“The Trump administration has failed to stop the Israeli government from expanding settlements and destabilizing the West Bank in ways that harm Palestinians and the prospects for a better, more peaceful future. In 2025, we not only saw record high levels of settler attacks on Palestinians — we also saw the Israeli government approve nearly 30,000 housing units for settlers in the West Bank. This letter is a wake up call to Secretary Rubio. America’s failure to effectively press Israeli leaders on their reckless actions in the West Bank jeopardizes the administration’s progress towards ending the war and their stated goal of achieving a lasting peace,” said Hadar Susskind, President and CEO, New Jewish Narrative. “Senator Welch and Rep. Khanna deserve credit for initiating this important letter. I hope that the administration pays attention to their clarion call.”  

Read and download the full text of the lawmakers’ letter to Secretary of State Rubio. 

 

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