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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Slams ED for Endangering the Future of Public Education

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON– Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Education (ED) announced it intended to sign additional interagency agreements to transfer the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitations Services (OSERS) to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) to the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Arguably, the Department of Education (ED)’s most important function is to protect and defend students’ civil rights and ensure every student can access a high-quality public education.

“The two offices within ED that have an outstanding role in defending students’ civil rights are the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS). Yet today, ED has decided to move these offices to agencies that are ill-equipped to defend students’ civil rights or implement education policy. Moving these offices reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of students’ and families’ needs. Most civil rights complaints are resolved with administrative enforcement, not a lawsuit. Students with disabilities are not patients, and special education is not a medical issue.

“The whole process of entering into interagency agreements has been undertaken as part of the President’s plan to illegally close ED and ‘return education to the states.’ But we do not need a crystal ball to know what will happen if it is left up to the states to protect students’ civil rights — one only needs to read a history book. When states had no federal oversight, we saw the intentional segregation of public schools, an outright refusal to educate students with disabilities, and a systemic lack of resources for low-income communities.

“Today’s announcement was purely a political one — made for the President to fulfill a campaign promise. Bluntly, today’s announcement is not in the best interest of students, families, or their communities. Democrats on the House Committee on Education and Workforce are committed to the protection of civil rights and guaranteeing that all students have access to a quality education.”

Background:

In February 2026, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) reported that ED paid OCR investigators up to $38 million not to work.

In April 2026, the Senate HELP Committee released a report that in 2025, OCR reached zero resolution agreements involving sexual harassment, sexual violence, seclusion or restraint, racial harassment, or discriminatory school discipline — despite more than 2,700 pending cases.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott Condemns ED for Approving Indiana’s K-12 Funding Waiver

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Linda McMahon approved Indiana’s request to consolidate some federal aid into a single grant with little to no spending requirements and waive certain federal accountability requirements.

“Every child deserves a high-quality education that is not limited by race, color, national origin, gender, ability, immigration status, or socioeconomic background. That is why the bipartisan Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) requires states to demonstrate to the federal government that they meet certain standards and provide a high-quality education to all students in order to receive federal funding.

“Today, ED Secretary McMahon waived many of these requirements for Indiana public schools, allowing federal funds to flow to schools without all federal accountability guardrails. This action weakens protections for historically underserved students and undermines the intent of federal law.

“As Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce, I am committed to fighting back against the Trump Administration’s attacks on students, families, and public education. Congress enacted these guardrails to guarantee accountability, and they must be upheld.”

Background: These waivers allow Indiana to consolidate funding for various programs and activities under the Elementary and Secondary Education Actwithout requiring they all be addressed, including Title I-B (State Assessment Grants), Title II-A (Supporting Effective Instruction), Title III-A (English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement Act), Title IV-A (Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants), and Title IV-B (21st Century Community Learning Centers). These waivers also permit Indiana to waive the requirement that certain academic indicators be weighted more heavily when assessing how students are performing. Now, other indicators may be used to dilute transparency about student success.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Pocan, Hirono, Murray, Reed, Whitehouse Introduce Bill to Make College More Affordable, Double Pell Grant

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI), and U.S. Senators Mazie K. Hirono (D-HI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jack Reed (D-RI) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), introduced bicameral legislation to make higher education more affordable for millions of working and middle-class students across the country. The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026would nearly double the Pell Grant maximum award, index the maximum award for inflation, and make other changes to expand the award for working students, while also protecting the program from budget shortfalls and eligibility changes.

“The Pell Grant is the most important tool we have to help students afford college. Unfortunately, due to Republicans’ attacks on federal student aid — including slashing loans in annual appropriations and refusal to fully fund the Pell Grant program in the ‘Big Ugly Bill’ — students now face a significant Pell Grant shortfall, made worse by the rising cost of college. Simply put, Pell Grants’ purchasing power has severely eroded, making it even more difficult for students to afford higher education,” said House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott. “By doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and moving the program to mandatory funding, the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act directly addresses this shortfall and begins to restore purchasing power to help millions of students earn a quality degree without being forced to take on excessive debt.”

“No one should be denied a chance at a higher education if they are smart and capable enough but are unable to afford it. As a recipient of the Pell Grant myself, I know just how instrumental of a tool it is to make college accessible for all,” Congressman Pocan said. “Unfortunately, skyrocketing tuition costs and perpetual underfunding continue to undermine this critical program. The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act would not only double the maximum Pell Grant, it would protect the program from future cuts, expand eligibility to include DREAMers, and ensure that postsecondary education is attainable for every student, regardless of their socioeconomic status.”

“For thousands of students in Hawaii and millions of students across the country, Pell Grants have helped to make higher education more affordable. But as costs continue to rise, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for students to pursue the college and career opportunities that will allow them to succeed in the future,” said Senator Hirono. “By increasing the Pell Grant maximum award, indexing the maximum award for inflation, and protecting the program from future cuts, this legislation will allow students across the country to reach their full potential.”

“While Trump is driving up the cost of just about everything, including college—Democrats are instead putting forward reasonable proposals to make sure everyone who is willing to work hard can pursue a higher education,” said Senator Patty Murray. “There is absolutely no reason students should be saddled with mountains of debt if they want to get a college degree. Government should be helping to open doors for American students, not slamming them shut like Trump is doing. Every year, I fight to protect and expand the Pell Grant—this bill would increase Pell Grants for millions of students to help them afford a postsecondary education and further their careers while helping ensure the Pell Grant is there to support students for generations to come.”

“For decades, Pell grants have been the cornerstone of our federal financial aid programs. Today, with the costs of higher education continuing to increase, these grants cover a shrinking percentage of the actual cost of college. Students should not have to rack up mountains of debt just to continue their education and earn their degree,” said Senator Reed. “It is past time we double the power of Pell grants and ensure this essential financial aid keeps up with inflation. This legislation would help expand access to Pell grants, lower student debt, strengthen our economy and workforce, and help deserving students reach their full potential.”

“Pell Grants, one of Senator Claiborne Pell’s enduring legacies, have helped generations of Rhode Islanders get a high-quality education while taking on less debt,” said Senator Whitehouse. “Our bill would increase the purchasing power of a Pell Grant and inflation-proof the awards to bring us closer to realizing Senator Pell’s vision of affordable higher education for all.”

The federal Pell Grant program, which currently serves more than 7 million students nationwide, has been the cornerstone of federal student aid for more than 50 years. But with rising costs, the purchasing power of the Pell Grant maximum award has significantly declined over the years—from covering more than three-quarters of the cost of attendance at a four-year, public institution when the program was first created, to now covering less than one-third of the cost of attendance today. At the same time, the Pell Grant program faces a substantial shortfall, putting it at severe risk of future cuts.

In response, the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 would double the Pell Grant maximum award—from $7,395, to $15,000—over six years, index the maximum award for inflation to maintain its purchasing power, and make the program fully mandatory funding to protect it from future cuts. In addition, the bill would also expand the program to include DREAMers and restore lifetime eligibility to 18 semesters—among other important changes that will benefit students.

“The Pell Grant program is our nation’s foundational investment in college affordability, but the award has not kept pace with rising costs, and the program’s funding structure puts it at ongoing risk of cuts. We strongly support the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, which not only increases the maximum Pell award to make college far more affordable for millions of students, but expands, protects, and strengthens the program for years to come,” said Michele Zampini, Associate Vice President, Federal Policy & Advocacy at The Institute for College Access & Success (TICAS).

“The Pell Grant is the cornerstone of federal financial aid, but its funding is perpetually one shortfall away from cuts and the maximum award now covers less than a quarter of the cost of attending an in-state public four-year college. Students cannot meet their most basic needs—food, housing, child care—on a grant that no longer keeps pace with what college actually costs,” said Bryce McKibben, Senior Director of Policy and Advocacy at The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs at Temple University. “The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs strongly supports the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act as a transformative proposal that will dramatically cut the cost of higher education borne by students By funding Pell as a permanent program, this legislation finally frees the program from the annual budget brinkmanship that leaves millions uncertain whether their financial aid will be there next year. It also overhauls outdated red tape, administrative burdens, and eligibility restrictions that prevent millions of deserving students from getting aid when they need it most. This bill is a clear statement that a low-income student’s path to a degree is worth protecting, for this generation and the ones to come.”

“EdTrust is proud to support the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act, a comprehensive package of reforms that will strengthen the Pell Grant for millions of students from low-income backgrounds and students of color. By doubling the maximum Pell award and making the program fully mandatory, among other important improvements, this bill addresses financial barriers that make it harder for college students to earn a degree and ensures the program will not face budget shortfalls like the current one. This bill is a tremendous step toward ensuring that higher education remains accessible for millions of students who otherwise would not have the ability to pursue their dreams and gain valuable skills. We salute U.S. Senators Mazie Hirono, Patty Murray, Jack Reed , and Sheldon Whitehouse and Representatives Mark Pocan and Bobby Scott for their leadership on behalf of students from low-income backgrounds and students of color and urge Congress to pass the bicameral Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act,”said Denise Forte, President and CEO at EdTrust.

In addition to Senators Hirono, Murray, Reed, and Whitehouse, the Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 is co-sponsored Tim Kaine (D-VA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Raphael Warnock (D-GA), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Tina Smith (D-MN), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Angus King (I-ME), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), John Fetterman (D-PA), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA).

In addition to Representatives Scott and Pocan, companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives was co-sponsored by Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Joyce Beatty (D-OH), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OH), Danny Davis (D-IL), Suzan DelBene (D-MI), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Debbie Dingell (D-MI), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Shomari Figures (D-AL), John Garamendi (D-CA), Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Pablo Hernandez (D-PR), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Tim Kennedy (D-NY), Summer Lee (D-PA), Seth Magaziner (D-RI), John Mannion (D-NY), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Lucy McBath (D-GA), Gwen Moore (D-WI), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Frank J. Mrvan (D-IN), Donald Norcross (D-NJ), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Deborah Ross (D-NC), Linda Sánchez (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Simon, Bennie Thompson (D-MS), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Juan Vargas (D-CA), and Frederica Wilson (D-FL).

The bill is endorsed by The Institute for College Access and Success (TICAS), The Hope Center for Student Basic Needs (Hope Center), The Education Trust (EdTrust), Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), American Association of Colleges for Teacher Education (AACTE), National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), United States Student Association (USSA), National College Attainment Network (NCAN), Southern California College Attainment Network (SoCal CAN), HawaiiKidsCAN, Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP), The Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), Coalition on Human Needs (CHN), New America Higher Education Program, Legal Defense Fund (LDF), Third Way, College Possible, FuturesNW, Denver Scholarship Foundation, Capital Area College Access Network (CAPCAN), OHIO YAB (Overcoming Hurdles in Ohio Youth Advisory Board), ACTION Ohio (Alumni of Care Together Improving Outcomes Now Ohio), and Vickery Meadow Youth Development Foundation.

The full text of the bill is available here.

A fact sheet is available here.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Bonamici, Jacobs, Murray Introduce Legislation to Overturn Harmful Child Care Rule

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA), Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) announced that introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal a final rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would make child care more expensive and less accessible.

The Trump Administration’s “Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)” final rule repeals a 2024 rule that protected families from excessive costs, provided greater financial stability for child care programs, and increased child care options for families. The final rule repealing these provisions is set to take effect on July 13, 2026.

“Child care is already one of the largest expenses in a family’s budget — and Republicans are making it worse. The Biden Administration’s Child Care and Development Fund rule protected families from crushing copayments, stabilized child care providers, and ensured timely reimbursements. Now, the Trump Administration is ripping those protections away. Without a cap on copayments, families could once again be forced to pay more than they can afford. Without enrollment-based reimbursements, providers will face financial unpredictability that could force them to close their doors,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott.“I am proud to cosponsor this Congressional Review Act resolution, alongside Representatives Bonamici (OR-01) and Jacobs (CA-15), to overturn this rollback and restore the protections that families and child care providers depend on.”

“It’s disturbing that the Trump administration is making child care more expensive when the cost for child care can be as much as rent or mortgage payments and families are struggling to pay for necessities like health care, groceries, and gas,”said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Child care is essential infrastructure and I am grateful to partner with Senator Murray, Ranking Member Scott, and Rep. Jacobs to fight this harmful final rule that would make it even harder for families to find and pay for care they need for their children.”

“The Trump Administration has made their agenda crystal clear: tear down the child care system in America, piece by piece, until nothing’s left,”said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs. “Instead of doing anything to actually help the child care sector, this Administration is making the child care crisis worse.

After making baseless claims of widespread fraud and threatening to withhold $10 billion in federal funds for states, including California, they’re now going after the 2024 CCDF Final Rule. Repealing this rule would increase the costs of child care for families and create more barriers for providers who are already struggling to keep their doors open. I’m proud to co-lead this Congressional Review Act because every family in America deserves quality, accessible, and affordable child care.”

“Trump is intentionally raising the cost of practically everything—and in case tariffs driving up child care costs wasn’t bad enough, now he is going out of his way to push prices up even further,” said Senator Patty Murray.“What Trump is doing is nothing short of punishing working class families who need help to afford the astronomical cost of child care. It doesn’t help to make child care more expensive while also forcing parents to pay Trump’s tariff tax. It doesn’t make life any easier for families by forcing them to pay more for child care when gas is $5 a gallon where they live. Democrats are fighting to make child care more affordable and to help families. Trump is actively making it more expensive to raise a family. Congress should take action as soon as possible to overturn this harmful, anti-family policy.”

The 2024 CCDF Final Rule had several provisions that this final rule overturns:

• Capping copayments at 7 percent of household income: Prior to the 2024 CCDF Final Rule, some states charged copayments as high as 27 percent of family income. The 2024 CCDF Final Rule capped copayments at 7 percent of household income. The Trump administration’s Final Rule removes the cap so families can be charged more for child care services.
• Enrollment-based subsidy reimbursements: The 2024 CCDF Final Rule codified a COVID-19 pandemic policy that reimbursed subsidies based on enrollment rather than attendance. This change helped stabilize the child care sector and is consistent with the private pay market. This Final Rule reverses the change and reinstates reimbursements based on attendance. Attendance-based payments create unpredictability that can threaten the stability and finances of a child care provider.
• Paying providers prospectively: Under the 2024 CCDF Final Rule, providers received payments in advance of the delivery of child care services, which created greater stability in the child care sector and aligned the system with the private-pay market. This Final Rule changes how providers are paid. It no longer requires prospective payments and may delay timely reimbursements for services.

The text of the CRA can be read here.

It is supported by: Caring Across Generations, Center for American Progress, Child Care for Every Family Network, CLASP, Community Change Action, Council for Professional Recognition, Home Grown, Molly Moon’s Homemade Ice Cream, MomsRising, National Association for Family Child Care, National Indian Child Care Association, National Women’s Law Center, SEIU, SEIU, Small Business Majority, and Zero to Three.

In the House, the CRA is cosponsored by: Representatives Janelle Bynum (D-OR), Judy Chu (D-CA), Danny Davis (D-IL), Sarah Elfreth (D-MD), Jimmy Gomez (D-CA), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Summer Lee (D-PA), Sarah McBride (D-ED), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI).

In the Senate, the CRA is cosponsored by: Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Mazie Hirono (D-HI), Angus King (I-ME), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Ranking Member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, introduced the Voluntary Consumer AI Disclosure Pilot Act. This critical AI safety legislation will direct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to evaluate how and when private entities should disclose to users when they are interacting with an artificial intelligence system. 

“There are circumstances where Americans should know when they are interacting with an AI system rather than a human.” said Rep. Lofgren. “But disclosures should be clear, useful, and appropriate for the product or service — not one-size-fits-all labels that individuals ignore or misunderstand. This legislation will bring together experts to evaluate how voluntary disclosures can best advance consumer safety, transparency, and trust.”

Rep. Lofgren has been a leader on artificial intelligence issues in Congress, and she was appointed in 2025 by Leader Hakeem Jeffries to be Ex Officio Co-Chair of the House Democratic Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy.

The Voluntary Consumer AI Disclosure Pilot Act would establish a pilot program that brings together experts from academia, civil society, industry, and relevant federal agencies, to identify where disclosures are useful, what they should say, and how often users should see them.

Here is full text of the bill and a one-pager explainer.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the State of California’s request to extend financial assistance under the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) for survivors of the 2025 Los Angeles Wildfires. Under the approved extension, eligible homeowners can receive assistance through July 9, 2027, and eligible renters can receive assistance through October 9, 2026. 

Rep. Judy Chu (CA-28), who worked with Governor Newsom and congressional colleagues to advocate for this extension, released the following statement:
 

“I commend FEMA for approving California’s request to extend the Individuals and Households Program (IHP) that provides direct housing and other needs assistance to survivors of the Los Angeles Fires, including the Eaton Fire that devastated my district. 

As Altadena and Pasadena continue to rebuild from the Eaton Fire, this critical extension will ensure that homeowners and renters have the financial and housing support they need during their recovery. 

The continued need for today’s extension underscores the importance of delivering on Governor Newsom’s disaster supplemental funding request that will finally support our long-term recovery and provide the assistance necessary for survivors to rebuild and return home.”
 

As of June 12, 2026, FEMA reported that more than 35,000 households have received assistance through the Individuals and Households Program, with more than $177 million awarded to eligible survivors. FEMA also reported that more than 1,200 households have received Continued Temporary Housing Assistance since the disaster. Today’s extension will allow survivors to continue receiving this critical disaster assistance as they rebuild.  

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-28) released the following statement marking four years since the Supreme Court issued the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, which overturned the 50-year precedent in Roe v. Wade of a nationwide, constitutional right to abortion care.

“Four years ago today, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and stripped away a constitutional freedom that generations fought to secure. Today, I think about the women whose lives have been destroyed because of the consequences.

I think about the mother in Alabama who had already chosen a name for her baby boy before learning he had a fatal fetal diagnosis. Instead of receiving compassionate care from the doctors she trusted, she was told to carry her pregnancy to term and watch her child die. With no other option, she drove eleven hours across the country with her infant son to receive the health care she needed.

I think about the family in Arkansas who had already picked out the name for their daughter before learning she would never survive outside the womb. Their doctor was so afraid of the state’s abortion ban that she could only hint at their medical options. They were forced to travel hundreds of miles to say goodbye to a deeply wanted child.

I think about the mother in Arizona who nearly died during a previous pregnancy and feared leaving her two young sons without a mother if she were forced to endure another life-threatening pregnancy.

I think about the women I met in Texas who desperately wanted their pregnancies but were forced to wait until they became critically ill before doctors felt legally safe enough to provide care.

I think about the young mother from Georgia who was declared brain dead but was kept on life support for months against her family’s wishes because she was pregnant, forcing her family to endure unimaginable grief before her baby was ultimately delivered.

And I think about the women whose names we may never know, but whose lives have been forever altered because extreme politicians believed they knew better than their doctors.

Protecting and restoring reproductive freedoms remains one of my highest priorities in Congress. I first introduced the Women’s Health Protection Act in 2013—nearly a decade before Dobbs—because I saw state legislatures systematically eroding abortion access, using waiting periods, mandatory ultrasounds, clinic closures, six-week abortion bans, fifteen-week bans, and anything else they could throw to stop women from getting care. I knew Congress needed a permanent federal safeguard, and I was so proud when the House has passed my Women’s Health Protection Act twice—first in September 2021 by a vote of 218-211, marking the most-supported abortion rights bill in congressional history, and again just weeks after Dobbs in July 2022, by a vote of 219-210.

When Dobbs became the law of the land, I refused to accept that this was the end of the story. Just days after the decision, I was arrested outside the Supreme Court alongside advocates demanding that reproductive freedom be restored. I have continued leading the fight to protect contraception, medication abortion, Title X family planning services, access to IVF, and affordable reproductive health care. I have met with courageous providers like Dr. Caitlin Bernard, who have continued caring for patients despite relentless political attacks. I have elevated the stories of women harmed by abortion bans through hearings, roundtables, and meetings across the country. And as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, I have used every opportunity to expand access to reproductive health care—offering amendment after amendment to protect contraception, strengthen reproductive health care, and ensure Congress confronts the devastating human consequences of these laws.

Four years after Dobbs, the harm is undeniable. Women have suffered, families have been torn apart, doctors have been silenced, and lives have been lost. But I refuse to accept that this is the future of our country. I have spent more than a decade fighting to protect reproductive freedom, and I will never stop until every person in every state and every zip code once again has the freedom to make their own reproductive health care decisions. No woman should ever have to leave her home, risk her life, or bury a wanted child because politicians denied her the care she deserved.”

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04), Ranking Member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks at the full committee’s markup of its fiscal year 2027 bill:
Thank you very much, Chairman Cole.

I want to start by again thanking the majority and minority staff: Jennifer, Jason, and Ed on the minority side, and Taylor, Keri Lyn, Gina, Colleen, Max, Ariana, Jackie, Daniel, and both Adams. And, I would also like to thank my personal staff, Ben Peterson, and my Military Fellow from the United States Army, Robby, for their hard work on this.

Each year, they are given a tremendous task, our staff, to put forward a challenging bill– and this year was no different.

The Fiscal Year 2027 Defense Appropriations Act totals $1.072 trillion, it’s an unprecedented topline, equal to the President’s request. I will address some concerns I have with the bill shortly. But first I would like to say, Chairman Calvert, I thank you. I thank you for writing this bill that, as of now, only includes one partisan rider that the minority objects to, and I object to that basically on germaneness reasons, it doesn’t belong in the bill.

And we, on the Democratic side, but I think every single one of us on the Committee, should all applaud the Chairman’s decision and the staff’s decision to do this, because at the end of this day and the end of every day, we want a bill that takes care of our warfighters, to do their missions to do them swiftly, successfully, and to come home to their families, and we want to also support the civilian employees who serve alongside them.

I also want to applaud the Chairman’s decision to reduce the Department’s General Transfer Authority from $6 billion to $3 billion. If the Department and OMB have less leeway to move money around, they will be more inclined to provide us with the information we need to conduct oversight. That’s our responsibility under the Constitution.

The majority has also worked to include a broad range of priorities that are important to many Members and their constituents. And I thank the Chairman for working with us in such a bipartisan fashion.

But that is why I also have to say that I am disappointed that I’m unable to support this bill as written today.

This bill provides the Department of Defense with over $1 Trillion – an unprecedented topline. And that comes at a cost of deep cuts to other Appropriations bills. For example, the Labor, Health, and Human Services and Education bill was cut by $19 Billion – a 9% reduction. The education and workforce programs were deeply impacted with these cuts. That includes an $8 billion cut to the Department of Education, and a $2 Billion cut to teacher training opportunities. I have said this before – cuts to education will have a negative downstream impact on our national security. Engineering, math, science, cyber, and computing programs. They will all be impacted by these cuts. These cuts undermine our future national security workforce, and the programs that we fund in the Defense bill will suffer because of it.

The majority cut the State Department funding bill by a shocking 22 percent from last year’s level. That would diminish diplomatic and development efforts around the world at the same time when the threats to America are growing.

Over $1 trillion in the Defense bill is not going to keep Americans safer if we have mortgaged our children’s future and our strategic diplomacy efforts to pay for it. 

Regarding the funding in this bill, there are several areas where I believe funding could be reduced or redirected. First, $605 Million for the National Guard mobilization unit in Washington, D.C. This operation has not reduced violent crime in Washington as the President claims. The only thing it has reduced is the readiness of these Soldiers. They have lost valuable training and exercise time that is necessary for them to be ready for a conflict with a peer adversary.

Second, the bill includes $216 Million for the National Guard Reaction Force. The National Guard does not need new funding to develop law enforcement capabilities that are outside the scope of its jurisdiction. This is simply not the military’s job.

Congress has rejected a similar idea during the previous administration after the January 6th Insurrection. The U.S. government has plenty of first responders at the federal, state, and local levels trained to handle criminal activity.

Third, $1 billion in advanced procurement for a so-called battleship that has not even been designed yet. Reportedly, just one ship could cost upwards of $17 billion. I wanted to make sure I got that right. One ship, $17 billion. The subcommittee has spent years working to get shipbuilding back on track. The industrial base still has challenges, such as a backlog of 17 Virginia-class submarines or the recent cancellation of the Constellation-class frigate.

We should not spend money on ships and boats that have not been designed yet. It’s simply financially irresponsible.

Fourth, I’m disappointed that funding for Ukraine was not included in the bill particularly because the House just took a bipartisan vote in favor of continued assistance for Ukraine last month.

Failing to include Ukraine sends the wrong signal both to Ukraine and to our European allies, especially as the President continues to reduce the military presence in Europe. I am also concerned about these troop reductions. President Trump is giving Putin the impression that the U.S. will not stand with our NATO allies in the event of future Russian aggression in Europe. America’s national security has always been tied to Europe, and NATO has been the cornerstone of peace for almost 80 years. We need only to look to the Arctic to see the threats to our own borders, and to secure them, we will need to work with our NATO allies. So, Mr. Chairman, I hope we can restore this funding.

And finally, I am concerned that the bill includes a new provision which will indiscriminately cut $1 billion with no Congressional direction. We have seen this Administration use a full year CR and mandatory money in the reconciliation bill for the Department of Defense to circumvent Congressional direction. So why would we want to give more permission for the Department to make more indiscriminate cuts. If we provide them with this authority, we simply have no idea how they will use it.

Separate from the base bill, I have real concerns about the Administration’s requests for defense funding outside of the annual appropriations process. First, we have been hearing rumors for months of a supplemental to cover the costs of large-scale military operations around the world.

SOUTHCOM, Operation Southern Spear cost $600 million. And in CENTCOM, President Trump’s disastrous war in Iran has cost taxpayers over $31 billion so far. Neither of these operations have concluded or been authorized by Congress. We do not know when they will end, nor do we know what the full costs will be.

If the Administration will request a supplemental, we need to see it as soon as possible, and not in the press. We must have a full and detailed accounting of these operational costs. Only then will we be informed enough to determine what additional funds the Department requires.

Second, the Reconciliation process, as the Chair pointed out and I agree with him totally, is the wrong way to fund the Department of Defense, and we all know that here in this room.

I am deeply concerned about the President’s proposal for $350 billion in mandatory funding for defense will have no appropriations input on the enactment. That’s not the right way to fund the Department of Defense. Because it took the Department ten months to explain to Congress how they were going to spend $150 billion in mandatory funding they received last year. It’s unacceptable, and I have no confidence that the Department will do a better job responding to us in the future. There is also no guarantee that a reconciliation bill will pass. If it does not pass, it will be nearly impossible to fix all the “broken glass” that could occur by forcing these priorities into the base budget.

When the Department makes mandatory funding requests, and the authorizers fail to include it, the DoD looks to the appropriations process to solve their problems. And that means we must reopen the bill in conference, and then, yes, make cuts. That will put this Committee in a very difficult situation.

But, Mr. Chairman, I am confident, I am more than hopeful, that we will have an opportunity to resolve these issues as this process moves forward. And, I want you to know, Mr. Chairman, you personally have my commitment to do that in a bipartisan way for the defense of our nation. As I said, I cannot support the bill as written. But I look forward to working with you to improve the bill.

And, I yield back, Mr. Chair.

A summary of the bill is here. A fact sheet is here. The text of the bill is here.
Watch the full committee markup here.
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Wednesday afternoon, the Minnesota Congressional Delegation announced that it is contributing a collection of original images of Minnesota in 2026 for a Congressional Time Capsule in honor of America’s 250^th Anniversary. The Minnesota collection includes photographs from across Minnesota’s eight Congressional Districts as well as accompanying letters from the delegation that explain their significance to their districts, state, and nation. The capsule will be dedicated at Emancipation Hall this afternoon and will be sealed in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center to be opened on America’s 500^th Anniversary on July 4, 2276. Click here to view a digital version of the Minnesota Delegation’s submission. 

“Minnesota has always been a place worth celebrating, and as our nation marks 250 years of freedom and democracy, there is no better time than now to highlight the places, people, and stories that make our state extraordinary in 2026,” said Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Dean of the Minnesota Congressional delegation. “This time capsule is a contribution to future generations. It’s a record of Minnesota’s storied history, rich culture, remarkable diversity, and the natural wonders – the Mississippi River, Lake Superior, the Minnesota State Fair, and more – that define us. We are excited to offer future generations a glimpse of what it’s like to live in Minnesota in the year 2026.”

“The 250th anniversary of the United States is an opportunity to honor the Minnesotans who have contributed to our nation’s history and those who will continue this legacy,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar. “For our Congressional Delegation time capsule, I included a picture of the Minnesota State Fair, which represents Minnesota at its best: creative, innovative, hardworking, and welcoming — values that our state will carry forward for the next 250 years.” 

“For the past 250 years, America promoted democracy, liberty and freedom at home and abroad,” said Senator Tina Smith. “We wouldn’t always get it right the first time, but we never gave up. That’s the true American spirit. We’re still working on creating that more perfect union, and I hope in another 250 years, we will be closer to achieving it. As the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. says, ‘The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.’” 

“Our Sixth Congressional District is full of patriotic Minnesotans who love our state and this country. In the 250th year of our nation, it’s an honor to commemorate the great state of Minnesota and the people and places that make it so special,” said Congressman Tom Emmer. “One of those places is the Delano Area Sports Arena. For my family and countless others, the memories made at that rink will last for generations. It is my hope that 250 years from now, Minnesotans will still be building community and connection over a shared love of hockey.”

“More than two hundred and forty years ago, the founding fathers identified the bald eagle as a symbol of the strength and independence promised in our new nation,” said Congressman Brad Finstad. “Since then, we have revered this majestic creature as the unquestionable icon of the United States. Southern Minnesota is the proud home of the National Eagle Center, our country’s only educational center dedicated to preserving the bald eagle and its historical and cultural significance. I was honored to introduce the legislation to officially recognize the bald eagle as our national bird and am proud to see its inclusion in our state’s contribution to the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule.” 

“As we come together to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, I couldn’t be prouder to represent Minnesota, a state whose rich culture, history and natural beauty are integral to the fabric of our great nation,” said Congresswoman Angie Craig. “I hope that this time capsule serves as a snapshot in time for generations of Minnesotans – a reminder of who we are today and of the traditions and places that will shape our state and our country for centuries to come.” 

“Minnesota’s natural beauty and the strength of our vibrant communities make it the best state to live in in the country,” said Congresswoman Kelly Morrison. “I submitted a picture that highlights the Third District’s unique lakes and our beloved state bird, the loon. I’m so proud to call Minnesota home and I know future generations will cherish this state as much as we have.”

“Our office is honored to contribute to this time capsule alongside the Minnesota delegation that future Americans will open 250 years from now,” said Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. “We chose to include Prince’s iconic Purple Rain album because it embodies the creativity and enduring spirit of Minnesota. From the breathtaking beauty of the Boundary Waters to the global impact of artists like Prince, Minnesota has helped shape the American story in countless ways. We are proud to give future generations a glimpse into the incredible traditions, diversity, and values that define us as Minnesotans in 2026.” 

“As we look back on the first 250 years of American history, I am proud to represent the families of Minnesota’s Seventh District. From hardworking crop and livestock producers to biofuel and advanced manufacturers, Western Minnesota is a leader in securing America’s food supply and energy future. While technology and policy will evolve, the character and grit of our rural communities will carry our great nation forward into the next 250 years,” said Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach.

“Minnesota is truly a special place, and as our nation celebrates 250 years of American excellence, I am honored to participate in the Congressional Time Capsule to showcase the many places, people, and traditions that make Minnesota such an exceptional part of this great nation,” said Congressman Pete Stauber. “As the Representative of Minnesota’s 8^th Congressional District, I am especially excited about my contribution to honor the majestic waters of Lake Superior and the vital role this natural resource plays in helping our region thrive. I have much optimism for the future, and I hope those who open this Time Capsule 250 years from now enjoy learning more about Minnesota’s story and the enduring spirit of the North Star State.”

As part of Congress’s efforts to celebrate America’s 250^th birthday, the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule Act (P.L. 119-79) directs the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to create and prepare a congressional time capsule to be sealed in the Capitol Visitor Center. The capsule is an opportunity for each state and territory delegation to provide a joint submission that provides a snapshot in time in 2026. The capsule will be opened on our nation’s 500th anniversary, July 4, 2276. 

The Members of Minnesota’s Delegation to the United States Congress include Senator Amy Klobuchar (DFL), Senator Tina Smith (DFL), Congressman Brad Finstad (R, MN-01), Congresswoman Angie Craig (DFL, MN-02), Congresswoman Kelly Morrison (DFL, MN-03), Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL, MN-04), Congresswoman Ilhan Omar (DFL, MN-05), Congressman Tom Emmer (R, MN-06), Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach (R, MN-07), and Congressman Pete Stauber (R, MN-08).