Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (D-TX-20) released the following statement:
“The Air Force confirmed with my office that the flu outbreak at the Air Force Lackland Base in San Antonio is getting worse. There are now 275 confirmed cases.”
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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 250th 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 500th 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 250th 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 8th 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 250th 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).
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Norma Torres (CA-35), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, introduced an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2027 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (SFOPS) Appropriations bill to ensure greater transparency and accountability for individuals appointed by the President to serve as Special Envoys, Special Representatives, and other diplomatic representatives who make key deals on behalf of the American public.
The Torres amendment would prohibit federal funds from being used to support the travel, communications, staffing, or other non-security expenses of these presidentially designated diplomatic representatives unless they file a full financial disclosure with the Office of Government Ethics within 30 days of their appointment and make that disclosure publicly available.
“Americans deserve to know whether individuals representing the United States abroad have personal financial interests that could influence their work,” said Congresswoman Torres. “If someone is entrusted with advancing U.S. foreign policy on behalf of the American people, they should meet the same basic transparency standards expected throughout the government. This amendment helps restore public trust and ensures accountability for those serving in influential diplomatic roles.”
The amendment responds to growing concerns about transparency and potential conflicts of interest among individuals appointed to high-profile diplomatic positions who may operate with significant influence over U.S. foreign policy while remaining outside traditional Senate-confirmed roles.
By requiring public financial disclosures before taxpayer resources can be used to support these appointments, the amendment strengthens ethics safeguards and promotes greater confidence in the integrity of U.S. diplomatic engagement abroad.
Under the amendment, no funds appropriated through the SFOPS Act, including fee-derived funds available to covered agencies, may be used for travel, communications, staffing support, or other non-security services for any Special Envoy, Special Representative, or other diplomatic representative designated by the President unless that individual files a full financial disclosure with the Office of Government Ethics within 30 days of designation and the disclosure is made publicly available.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)
Today during the House Appropriations full committee markup of the FY2027 Defense funding bill, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) spoke out against Republicans’ outrageous $1 trillion bill that, despite it’s enormous price tag, fails to support American shipbuilding. In her opening remarks, Pingree contrasted the Trump Administrations’ claims to support American manufacturing and long-touted “America First” mantra, while at the same time seeding the prospect of buying ships overseas. She noted that as maritime competition is intensifying, especially in the Indo-Pacific, Republicans’ funding bill provides funding for only one DDG-51 destroyer, which are built at Bath Iron Works in Pingree’s district.
“These ships are the backbone of our Navy, and they are essential to preserving our military superiority. And only one of those ships is provided for in this bill,” Pingree said. “I often hear bipartisan agreement about how we need a larger, more capable fleet. And last year, the president himself said he wanted to ‘resurrect the American shipbuilding industry.’ But without investment or a strategy, that is just talk. And it’s especially just talk in a bill that gets over $1 trillion. If we’re serious about naval readiness, we cannot continue under investing in our ships and in our shipyards and the workforce that is needed to sustain that fleet.”
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I’m going to trust my colleagues because I know there have been a lot of opening remarks, and they’ll continue to be to make sure that everybody understands the problems and challenges of this bill. But I do want to emphasize that it is $1 trillion. That’s $1 trillion for the Pentagon.
At the same time, we’re cutting and we’ve all been through a lot of subcommittee hearings here or markups. We’re cutting over $13 billion for domestic programs that would actually support working families while we’re spending this much on defense. And we all know what we’ve been cutting childhood cancer research farmers through the USDA, education, housing, childcare it’s all on the chopping block. And every time we fight back, someone says, but there isn’t enough money, but there’s always enough money for this bill.
This bill also abandons our allies in Ukraine, continues the unchecked spending on unauthorized operations in the Middle East. It’s got a lot of big challenges in it.
But I want to use my time just to focus on the impact on our Navy and on shipbuilding and that industry. You know, maritime competition is intensifying, especially in the Indo-Pacific. But this bill provides funding for only one DDG-51 destroyer.
These ships are the backbone of our Navy, and they are essential to preserving our military superiority. And only one of those ships is provided for in this bill. I often hear bipartisan agreement about how we need a larger, more capable fleet. And last year, the president himself said he wanted to “resurrect the American shipbuilding industry.” But without investment or a strategy, that is just talk.
And it’s especially just talk in a bill that gets over $1 trillion. If we’re serious about naval readiness, we cannot continue under investing in our ships and in our shipyards and the workforce that is needed to sustain that fleet.
I’m sure many of you remember, because I love to talk about it, that Bath Iron Works, one of our important defense shipyards is located in my district. We’re very proud of the shipbuilders and the work that gets done there. And we love to say that “Bath built is the best built” because they do an amazing job building ships. And for all of you, when you take your vacation in Maine this summer to get a lobster roll and ride on a ferry, I hope you’ll come by and get a tour of this shipyard, because it’s an amazing thing. It’s a miracle to watch these ships come together. They’re complex. They require incredible skill and incredibly skilled workers. Stability in the prediction of how many ships are going to be built and having sufficient orders is what helps to recruit and retain a workforce. These workers can’t just be reassigned if there’s no ships to build until there’s more money, or until there is sufficient procurement planning done.
Many of them are machine operators, highly skilled, highly specialized. They’ve been there for years, and not having ships impacts the production line. Multi-year contracts lower the cost, ultimately saving money. I know the chairman in his opening remarks, talked about advanced procurement and how critically important that is in these complex industries that happened in our country. It’s especially difficult to hear about the lack of sufficient shipbuilding in this contract when you put it in a broader context, and that is Russ Vought in OMB now signaling that they’re thinking about buying ships from foreign shipyards. I’m going to say that again. They’re thinking about using their waiver authority to actually buy ships offshore. And we know how important our six shipyards here are here in this country. And it’s antithetical to think that they would ever suggest that.
But a senior OMB official has said, if you look at the average cost of a destroyer construction in Japan or Korea, $1 billion of fairly nominal cost associated with destroyer construction. Just yesterday, I was driving in for votes and I turned on C-SPAN radio in my car, and I heard President Trump talking to a big Pennsylvania gathering, I think he was at a Mack truck facility saying how important American workers and American manufacturing was and how he’s on top of that. And that’s what we’re going to do in this country. And in fact, when we got out of votes and I drove away, you’ll not be surprised that the president was still talking to the Pennsylvania gathering, and he was still talking about American workers in American manufacturing.
Yet his official at OMB is now saying, we’re thinking about building ships offshore in other countries. Really? Our defense industry? We’re thinking of moving that manufacturing offshore? This bill’s increase over FY 26 is more than the entire funding of Labor [Health and Human Services], and Education. And we’re talking about buying destroyers from foreign nations rather than investing in our own shipyards.
I appreciate that this committee has put language in to curb the president’s authority to do so. But the fact that it’s even being considered is shameful. Adding this language while still selling our shipyards short doesn’t make sense. We need to use this bill to make strategic investments in American readiness, which includes a skilled workforce, a skilled union workforce. And we cannot stand by where the administration drives decline of our industrial base.
I yield back. And I thank the chair.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — At today’s House Energy and Commerce Committee subcommittee markup addressing the growing impact of AI data centers on America’s electric grid, Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) warned that Congress must take far stronger action to address the rapid expansion of data centers.
“This simply cannot continue. That is why I am in favor of a national AI data center moratorium until we can find a way to ensure they don’t harm our nation’s air, water, and power bills,” Pallone said.
Pallone noted that data center electricity consumption doubled between 2017 and 2023 and could account for more than 15 percent of all U.S. electricity demand by 2030. He warned that the growth of AI infrastructure is already driving up utility bills for consumers and placing unprecedented strain on the nation’s power grid.
“Americans across the county have expressed concern and opposition to the rampant construction of AI data centers and Congress should take this political groundswell seriously with a data center moratorium,” Pallone said in his opening statement. “…Democrats have been clear: Families around the country should not see their power bills rise by a single cent because of data centers.”
The markup comes as communities across New Jersey continue to push back against proposed data center development. Pallone pointed to local actions in Asbury Park, Red Bank, Old Bridge, Sayreville, and New Brunswick – all in his congressional district –where residents and local officials have sought to halt or ban the development of data centers.
“Towns in my district are way ahead of this Congress in seeking a moratorium. Asbury Park, Red Bank, Old Bridge and Sayreville all have taken this bold step. The City of New Brunswick put a stop to a data center plan after the community stood together to oppose the project. We need to follow in their footsteps here in Congress,” Pallone said.
While supporting the bills under consideration today, which limit data center impacts, Pallone argued that Congress must move beyond incremental reforms.
“The Committee must take more aggressive action to ensure that data center developers are held accountable, and that consumers aren’t left holding the bill,” Pallone concluded.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)
From sea to shining sea, our nation’s landscapes boast wonders unmatched by anywhere else in the world. From the glaciers in Alaska to the mighty Sequoias in California and the abundant geothermal springs right here in Arkansas, we are incredibly blessed to call this land our home.
As the summer season kicks off, many will travel across the country to see our natural beauty on full display. The national park system draws over 300 million visitors annually. For many, this has been a time-honored tradition, with countless visitors checking off another destination from their national park bucket list.
To fully appreciate this land that has been set aside just for you and me, we must understand its origin. In 1832, Congress protected the thermal waters in Hot Springs, creating America’s first federal reservation of a natural resource and making Hot Springs the birthplace of “America’s Best Idea.”
50 years later, Yellowstone became our nation’s first national park. In a speech given for the laying of the cornerstone of the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, President Roosevelt expressed his thoughts on the role the American people should play for the longevity of our national parks. He said, “The only way that the people as a whole can secure to themselves and their children the enjoyment in perpetuity of what the Yellowstone Park has to give is by assuming the ownership in the name of the nation and by jealously safeguarding and preserving the scenery, the forests, and the wild creatures.”
On the cusp of our nation’s 250th celebration of independence, Congress is assuming that ownership by introducing the bipartisan Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) 250. This legislation focuses on enhancing access, improving visitor experience, and creating new outdoor recreation opportunities across the country. The legislation also makes historic investments in and modernizes our national parks, public lands, and revitalizes the economies of rural gateway communities that depend on public lands tourism.
Hot Springs has benefitted greatly from the Great American Outdoors Act that was signed into law in 2020. Most notably, through the Legacy Restoration Fund, Bathhouse Row received critical safety updates and the restoration of iconic historic features to open its doors once again to the Hot Springs community for commercial use.
Last week, as Chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, I had the honor of holding a field hearing in the heart of Hot Springs to discuss the importance of this legacy bill. Hot Springs National Park served as the perfect backdrop for this hearing, demonstrating how GAOA 250 investments can spur new public-private partnerships, create jobs, and sustain billions of dollars in spending within rural and gateway communities.
Our patriotism is often associated with our thankfulness to our armed forces and the military heroes who have sacrificed to protect our freedom. But I’d wager that a lot of our national pride also stems from the incredible beauty of our land. It’s a great privilege to work in Congress to ensure that “America’s Best Idea” – our national parks and public lands – are modernized and maintained for generations to come.
Published on July 4, 1895, by Katharine Lee Bates, “America the Beautiful” was the result of a recent trip to Pikes Peak in Colorado. Struck by its beauty, Bates penned the famous words that still resonate with us today and serve as a reminder of the gift we have been given and should continue to conserve. “O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee. And crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea!”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California
June 24, 2026
Washington, D.C. – Today, House Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) and Chair Bruce Westerman’s (R-Ark.) America the Beautiful Act – formerly known as the Great American Outdoors Act 250 – passed out of the House Natural Resources Committee and is headed to the House Floor for a final vote.
Ranking Member Huffman and Chair Westerman at today’s markup. Watch Ranking Member Huffman’s opening statement. (June 24, 2026)
“This moment reflects the overwhelming sentiment of the American people who believe our national parks and our public lands are treasures that have to be protected. And this bill will reauthorize one of our nation’s most successful investments in the National Park System,” said Ranking Member Huffman. “The projects this bill funds improve visitor experiences. They make our parks safer. They help protect our treasured public lands for the next generation. As we get ready to celebrate our 250th birthday, I’m glad Chairman Westerman and I could work together with our Senate counterparts. This has been a complicated journey, but our parks and public lands will be better off for these efforts.”
“This year, Americans are celebrating our nation’s 250th birthday. In the spirit of 1776, Congress is coming together to enhance access, improve visitor experiences and create new outdoor recreation opportunities at ‘America’s Best Idea’ – our national parks and public lands – and invest in Bureau of Indian Education facilities. This legislation conserves these uniquely American places and will create new opportunities in rural gateway and tribal communities. I would like to thank my bipartisan colleagues on the House Committee on Natural Resources for working together to advance this important legislation,” said House Committee on Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.)
Ranking Member Huffman also noted the importance of supporting park staff and reversing Trump’s whitewashing at national parks across the country, saying: “We also can’t make these investments matter the way they should without remembering the people that make our parks function, our park rangers and other public servants. Over the past 18 months, every land management agency has experienced a devastating loss of staff. We must address agency staffing if we’re going to truly keep faith with America’s best idea. We must also ensure that our national parks and our public lands tell the whole story of American history, including our complicated past and our shared future, and especially doing that on the eve of our nation’s 250th anniversary.
During the debate, Huffman noted important updates Democrats negotiated to increase transparency and accountability, improve congressional oversight, and provide guardrails to reduce the risk of the administration using funding for vanity projects. Regarding negotiations over international visitors fees, Huffman said: “The new language applies only to National Park Service sites and gives the Department of the Interior flexibility to tailor these fees to individual sites, much like other fees are set under existing law. This language also encourages local stakeholder engagement in setting the fees, ensuring that tourism-dependent communities have a seat at the table in the decision-making process.”
Huffman also made changes to the bill that “makes sure that our park rangers focus on their actual jobs, and it prevents turning them into immigration enforcement agents.” The legislation also allows tourists to self-identify at park gates rather than mandating ID checks.
The America the Beautiful Act invests $1.9 billion every year in America’s national parks, public lands, and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) facilities over the next five years. Our parks and public lands belong to every American. They are where families camp, where veterans find quiet, where kids see a mountain or a bison for the first time. This bill keeps that promise for the next generation. Funded by private donations, onshore energy revenue, and new foreign tourist visitor fees, the bill expands access, protects the places that define America, creates new jobs, and brings new life to the rural towns that rely on our parks and public lands.
Specifically, the legislation:
Read the legislative text here.
What They Are Saying: Outdoor Economy, Recreation and Sportsmen Organizations
What They Are Saying: Industry Leaders and Trade Organizations
What They Are Saying: Non-Profit Partner Organizations
Additional supporter quotes can be found here.
A list of supporting organizations can be found here.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) released the following statement calling for the release from ICE detention and reunification of 13-year-old Leonardo Santiago Soto Uribe and his dad Benjamin Lerma-Huipio:
“Leonardo Santiago ‘Santi’ Soto Uribe should be enjoying his summer before starting 9th grade. Instead, ICE detained him and his father, Benjamin Lerma-Huipio, outside of San Antonio. ICE separated 13-year-old Santi from his father, who is being locked away at a different facility.
“Yesterday, ICE said he could go home. Santi went to bed last night thinking he was going to be with his mom in the morning. But ICE pulled the rug from under him—preventing him from returning home where he belongs. He hasn’t showered and has only been given cookies and juice.
“His father has been in the United States since 2005, working as a roofer and building a life in Austin for his family. My office has been working around the clock to get Santi released. We won’t stop until they’re home.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)
WASHINGTON, D.C.—Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) released the following statement after Congress passed the bipartisan 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act:
“This week, the Congress passed meaningful, bipartisan legislation that will help make home ownership more attainable for hard-working neighbors across the Tampa Bay area who have seen the dream of homeownership move farther out of reach due to high costs,” said Rep. Kathy Castor. “The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act includes several policies I championed, including limiting the ability of hedge funds to buy a large number of homes while driving costs through the roof. The bipartisan bill also incentivizes the permitting and construction of new homes and residences. Homes are for people, not for hedge fund managers. I am particularly pleased that, through this legislation, we will improve Community Development Block Grants for Disaster Relief (CDBG-DR), which has delivered billions of dollars in disaster recovery funding to Tampa Bay communities and neighbors impacted by recent hurricanes. I’m proud of the bipartisan work accomplished through this legislation to address a real, significant challenge in the Tampa Bay area and beyond.
“The President’s last-minute decision today to cancel the signing of the critical 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act to push a bill to limit access to the ballot box ignored the real needs of American families and young people trying to buy a home in an increasingly unaffordable economy. I urge President Trump to reverse course and sign the bill to rein in the cost of housing for American families.”
The bipartisan and bicameral 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act represents the most comprehensive housing reform legislation in decades to jumpstart the construction of homes people can actually afford.
The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act would:
View a one-page summary of the legislation here.