Posts

Posted on

Rep. Mike Levin Announces New Energy Affordability Legislation to Lower Electricity Bills as Iran Conflict Sends Shockwaves Through Global Energy Markets

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

March 23, 2026

Encinitas, CA – Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) was joined by consumers and local environmental advocates to announce the introduction of the Energy Bills Relief Act, new energy affordability legislation to drive down energy costs amidst global energy market volatility due to the war with Iran.

Over the past 12 months, electricity prices have increased more than twice as fast as inflation — and they are expected to keep rising as the war with Iran continues. Prices will also continue to climb as new data centers and factories connect to the power grid and clean energy credits phase out following their repeal by the Trump Administration. The new Energy Bills Relief Act addresses energy costs in three ways: deploying low-cost clean energy; putting affordability over profits; and modernizing the electric grid.

“Americans are tired of paying more while utilities and fossil fuel companies profit. That’s why I’m proud to introduce the Energy Bills Relief Act — a consumer-first plan to lower electricity bills and take on the structural drivers of high energy costs, once and for all. We will deploy affordable clean energy that is good for the planet and your pocketbook, put families over fossil fuel companies, and modernize our grid for the 21st century,” said Rep. Levin. “President Trump promised to cut energy bills in half — instead, he started a war driving up the cost of gas, electricity, and groceries for every American family. We have a plan to lower energy costs and I will fight every single day to make it law.”

The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:

  • Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and congressional Republicans
  • Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills
  • Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off
  • Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits
  • Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area
  • Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community

“Solana Center for Environmental Innovation is pleased to host Congressman Levin as he introduces important legislation to promote clean, reliable energy sources in the USA,” said Jessica Toth, Executive Director of Solana Center for Environmental Innovation. “Our mission is to prevent the loss of natural resources and limit greenhouse gases emissions. Legislation requires community actors to drive intended outcomes. Solana Center is here to make the possible practical – lowering consumption, decarbonizing, and consuming responsibly.”

“In the middle of an affordability crisis, no one should be forced to cut back on essentials to keep their power on. The Energy Bills Relief Act is a straightforward step to ease that burden and finally deliver the kind of relief people can actually feel without gutting environmental protections and with Tribal consultation,” said Aaron McCall, Federal Advocacy Coordinator, California Environmental Voters. “Lowering these costs isn’t just good policy, it’s necessary to protect families right now. It’s time to stop letting high energy bills drain Californians and start putting money back where it belongs.”

“Two out of five homes in San Diego are behind on their bills, with families forced to choose between putting food on the table, going to the doctor, or keeping the lights on. And this isn’t just a few people here or there, it’s a crisis,” said Serena Pelka, Senior Policy Advocate, Climate Action Campaign. “The Energy Bills Relief Act is an important solution to tackle root causes of high energy costs.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A section-by-section can be found here.

A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.

A list of cosponsors can be found here.

###

Posted on

House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks Forces Vote to Compel Kushner, Witkoff, Rubio Testimonies  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued the following statement after forcing a vote to subpoena Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Secretary Marco Rubio to testify on the diplomacy that preceded Donald Trump’s war in Iran: 

“More than a year into this Congress and a month into this war, Chairman Mast has refused to hold a single public hearing with top administration officials on Iran. Not as 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed and more wounded, and not as the administration prepares to ask American taxpayers for $200 billion to fund a war that President Trump has no plan to end. Instead, House Republicans have denied the American people the opportunity to hear directly why Trump’s diplomacy failed. 

“Chairman Mast’s belief that the committee doesn’t need to hear from these witnesses only confirms what is now undeniable: this House Majority is acting as a rubber stamp for the Trump administration, more interested in shielding it from scrutiny than conducting oversight. If Republicans stand by this open-ended war, the administration’s everchanging and conflicting rationale for launching it, and the higher costs it is imposing on American families, then they should gladly defend their position in public. Their refusal to do so speaks for itself.” 

Posted on

Kelly legislation to strengthen IRS Whistleblower Program passes Ways & Means Committee, advances to U.S. House vote

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, the Ways & Means Committee advanced legislation introduced by U.S. Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, Mike Thompson (D-CA), Ranking Member of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, to make commonsense reforms to the Internal Revenue Service’s (IRS) Whistleblower Awards Program.

The legislation, the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act passed by unanimous consent. It now advances to the full U.S. House of Representatives for consideration.

“Today’s vote is a win for the American taxpayer and the American worker,” said Rep. Kelly. “Our commonsense, bipartisan legislation ensures the integrity of our Nation’s tax laws. Exposing wrongdoing by tax cheats and fraudsters guarantees our voluntary tax system is fair for all Americans.”

“A strong whistleblower program helps the IRS recoup taxpayer dollars that were lost to tax fraud or tax evasion,” said Rep. Thompson. “The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act will help the IRS crackdown on tax cheats. By strengthening this vital program, it will provide an incentive to anonymously report incidents of tax fraud and improve the IRS’s compliance and enforcement efforts while deterring those who seek to exploit the system. I’m glad that this important bill has now passed through our committee. Next, we will work to get Speaker Johnson to bring it up for a vote by the full Congress.”  

“The IRS Whistleblower Program is an essential part of protecting the integrity of America’s tax system,” said Ways and Means Committee Chairman Jason Smith (MO-08). “We must ensure those that come forward with allegations and evidence of wrongdoing are protected and rightly rewarded for their courage to expose tax fraud, and Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee Chairman Kelly’s legislation does just that. Chairman Kelly has a track record of fighting on behalf of taxpayers – including long-standing, bipartisan work to improve the IRS Whistleblower Program. I commend him for continuing to shine a light on needed reforms not only to the tax code but to tax code enforcement as well.”

The IRS’ whistleblower program has enabled the agency to collect more than $7.5 billion from individuals and businesses caught dodging taxes. It has retrieved additional billions through the Offshore Voluntary Disclosure Program, which was created as a direct result of actionable information brought to the IRS by whistleblowers.

Watch Rep. Kelly’s opening statement here.

BACKGROUND

The IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act includes six measures to bolster the successful program, ensure fairness and protect the whistleblowers who come forward. The legislation would:

  • Provide for De Novo review in appeals heard by the U.S. Tax Court, allowing for new evidence to be admitted to the record;
  • Establish a presumption of anonymity for whistleblowers before the court;
  • Provide that interest be paid to awardees if the whistleblower award has not been paid within one year of the IRS collecting all proceeds;
  • Bring the tax treatment of attorney’s fees into line with other whistleblower programs; and
    Improve the program’s annual report to Congress to help tax writers identify areas in most need of attention.

The Kelly-Thompson legislation is supported by the National Whistleblower Center.

You can find the bill text here and a section-by-section here.

Posted on

ICYMI: Díaz-Balart and Appropriators Demand America First Accountability at the United Nations

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL), Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Subcommittee on House Appropriations, chaired a bipartisan field hearing at the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York City. Chairman Díaz-Balart and members of the subcommittee heard from the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Michael Waltz. 

The hearing focused on new legislative requirements for the UN in the recently enacted FY26 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) Appropriations Act, as well as the Trump Administration’s reforms to the UN and oversight of the way federal tax dollars are spent. Republicans reiterated the role appropriations plays in exercising the power of the purse to support America First leadership on the world stage: investments must support U.S. policy objectives, security, and values. 

Thanks to President Trump, Secretary Rubio, and Ambassador Waltz, the United States continues to push for accountability and transparency at the UN. Appropriators – in the FY26 law – required the Secretary of State to determine whether or not accountability and anti-bias measures are in place before funding can flow from the federal government to the UN.

Allocations must follow results – not blind expectations – and the UN should welcome strong oversight from its highest-paying member nation. Ambassador Waltz made it clear during this field hearing that the Trump Administration is taking accountability measures seriously, not only regarding the UN, but in every place where taxpayer dollars are spent. For too long, Washington allowed business as usual – which enabled waste, weakened scrutiny, and failed to deliver results – and the United States will not bankroll that model any longer. Through enacted NSRP measures and renewed leadership by the Executive Branch, we are using all levers to restore discipline, enforce consequences, and promote freedom. 

President Trump has expressed that the United Nations has great potential and that one day it will eventually live up to that promise. It’s long overdue, and we are driving that reset into motion.

In his opening remarks, Subcommittee Chairman Mario Díaz-Balart (R-FL) said, “Too often, the UN is directly at odds with America’s interests and makes a mockery of the very things it claims to support. From the Human Rights Council with many of the world’s worst offenders, to the World Health Organization’s pandering to communist China during COVID-19 while shutting out Taiwan, to Iran winning a seat on the Commission on the Status of Women while its regime brutalized women in the streets. Luckily, President Trump and Secretary Rubio are ushering in a new era of international accountability. One that demonstrates the glaring inadequacies of the UN. The central problem is not the Member States but the UN structure itself. It is embedded in the UN bureaucracy, its reporting practices, its discretionary funding pipelines, and its weak culture of oversight.”

Read Chairman Díaz-Balart’s full remarks here. 

Vice Chair of the NSRP Subcommittee Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) said, “It is gratifying to hear that America is finally getting focused with the dollars that we send overseas and that we’re insisting that the American taxpayer, the American citizen, really gets something from the funds that we’ve been sending abroad for years.”

Rep. Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) said, “This committee, more than any other, has the utmost responsibility to ensure that every single dollar is going to a program that supports our citizens’ national security, and also opens up economic opportunity for our country. It’s not just wealthy American taxpayer dollars that are going out the door – it’s also our farmers’ and our factory workers’. That’s their money as well, so I stand firm on this responsibility.”

Rep. John Moolenaar (R-MI) said, “This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with three amazing individuals, and what they all had in common is that they were daughters whose loved one was imprisoned by the People’s Republic of China. Claire Lai, her father is Jimmy Lai. He’s in Hong Kong, [where he] spoke out for freedom, democracy, and has been [imprisoned] for five years. [He is] 80 years old, declining rapidly in prison. The other is Grace Jin,and Grace’s father, pastor Ezra Jin, [who] is in China. He recently was put in prison for teaching the Bible, preaching, [and] being the leader of a church there. And the [third] is Ziba, and her mother is Dr. Gulshan Abbas. She has also been in prison; she’s Uyghur. And the reason she was imprisoned is because her sister here in the United States was speaking out against the genocide occurring against the Uyghurs in China… I would just ask for [Ambassador Waltz’s] help as you speak with others here at the United Nations and as you’re preparing the discussions that will take place. I would ask you to advocate for those families who are suffering because their loved one has been unjustly imprisoned now.”

As FY27 funding discussions continue, we remain committed to robust oversight of how federal money is spent. American taxpayers deserve to know their tax dollars are going to support American ideals and goals – whether it’s in their local community or on the other side of the world. Bipartisan achievements in the FY26 NSRP bill have provided Ambassador Waltz with the resources necessary to supply strong accountability and transparency at the UN, and House Appropriators will continue to prioritize those efforts in the FY27 funding process. 

The full event is available on the House Appropriations Committee’s YouTube channel.

###

Posted on

Norton Statement After House Passage of Bill to Codify President Trump’s Efforts to Control D.C.

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

The bill, introduced by Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), would codify parts of President Trump’s executive order issued on March 28, 2025.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – After the House passed the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act, introduced by Rep. John McGuire (R-VA), which would codify parts of President Trump’s March, 2025 executive order, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that she was disappointed by the passage of yet another condescending, paternalistic bill towards D.C. Republicans have filed more than 100 bills, amendments and riders to repeal, amend or block D.C. from carrying out its own local laws and policies this Congress. McGuire’s bill is the 11th that the House has passed this Congress. 

“Today the House passed yet another condescending bill that treats the more than 700,000 residents of the District of Columbia as though they are incapable of governing themselves,” Norton said. “This so-called ‘Safe and Beautiful’ bill is paternalistic and undemocratic, creating a federal Commission to dictate policies in a District whose residents have no voting representation in Congress and are already subject to Congress repealing its local laws. The bill’s token inclusion of one representative from the D.C. Mayor’s Office among 10 members does nothing to disguise its fundamental disrespect for D.C.’s local self-government. 

“Members of Congress who do not represent the District should stop interfering in the local affairs of the District. D.C. residents are both worthy and fully capable of choosing their own local laws and policies through the democratic process, the same way other local jurisdictions throughout the country do. If Congress truly respected democracy, it would grant the District the full rights of statehood instead of repeatedly undermining home rule.”

McGuire’s bill would establish the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Commission.” As originally introduced, the Commission included only federal officials as members and excluded any representation from the D.C. government, despite the power to make consequential changes affecting the District. The bill has since been amended to allow a representative from the D.C. Mayor’s Office as one of its 10 members.

###

Posted on

Rep. Adams, Sen. Rev. Warnock Reintroduce the Kira Johnson Act to Address the Maternal Mortality Crisis

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) introduced the Kira Johnson Act alongside Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock (GA). The Kira Johnson Act is named in honor of Kira Johnson, who died following the birth of her son, Langston, when hospital staff failed to respond to Kira’s concerns and signs of internal hemorrhaging for over ten hours. 

“Kira Johnson is one of the many women who we have lost too soon,” said Congresswoman Adams, Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the Black Maternal Health Caucus. “It’s been 10 years since Kira Johnson’s death, yet Black women are still two to three times more likely than white moms to die in childbirth. Eighty percent of those deaths are preventable. We need to close the Black maternal health gap. Black moms matter, Kira Johnson matters, and we need Congress to stand up and take real action by passing the Kira Johnson Act.”

“The rate of maternal mortality is a moral stain on our country,” said Senator Reverend Warnock. “Black women are particularly at risk in the state of Georgia, where they are three to four times more likely to die from complications related to childbirth or pregnancy than their white sisters. I’m proud to partner with Senator Booker and Rep. Adams in including this legislation in our broader effort to protect all mothers and babies. We can’t get this done soon enough.”

“As we approach 10 years since Kira lost her life giving the gift of life, I am deeply honored to see the Kira Johnson Act reintroduced and to witness the continued momentum behind the full Momnibus package,” said Charles Johnson, husband of Kira Johnson and founder of 4Kira4Moms. “What began as a personal tragedy has become a powerful movement to protect mothers, babies, and families across this country. Today, I am more hopeful than ever. I believe people across this nation, regardless of political affiliation, are tired of seeing mothers and babies failed by broken systems. The Kira Johnson Act and the Momnibus represent a meaningful opportunity for us to come together around what should never be political: saving lives and building a stronger, more just foundation of care for generations to come. I could not be more proud to see this legislation aligned with Kira’s legacy, and I am deeply grateful to my dear friend Congresswoman Alma Adams, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, and Senator Cory Booker for their leadership and commitment.”

The Kira Johnson Act is one of 14 bills that were included in the Momnibus. The Momnibus is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at addressing every factor of maternal mortality and morbidity, spearheaded by Congresswoman Alma Adams, Congresswoman Lauren Underwood, and Senator Cory Booker. 

The bill will invest in community-based organizations working to address maternal health equity, support initiatives to address bias and racism in the medical field and promote accountability in maternity care settings. The Act provides funding for the establishment of Respectful Maternity Care Compliance Programs to provide mechanisms for pregnant and postpartum patients to report instances of bias or disrespect within hospitals.

The full text of the legislation can be found here.

The bill’s original cosponsors include:

Rep. LaMonica McIver

Rep. Rashida Tlaib

Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton

Rep. Gwen Moore

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman

Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove

Rep. Hank Johnson

Rep. Ayanna Pressley

Rep. Glenn Ivey

Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi

Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick

Rep. Christian Menefee

Rep. Wesley Bell

Rep. Seth Moulton

Rep. Yvette D. Clarke

Rep. Suzan DelBene

Rep. John Garamendi

Rep. Steve Cohen

Rep. Melanie Stansbury

Rep. Debbie Dingell

Rep. Sara Jacobs

Rep. Shomari Figures

Rep. Steven Horsford

Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García

Rep. Marc Veasey

Rep. Joyce Beatty

Rep. Adam Smith

Rep. Terri Sewell

Rep. Frederica S. Wilson

Rep. Jonathan Jackson

Rep. Herb Conaway

Rep. Robert C “Bobby” Scott

Rep. Jahana Hayes

Rep. Angie Craig

Rep. Morgan McGarvey

Rep. Adelita Grijalva

Rep. Andre’ Carson

Rep. Mark Takano

Rep. Lucy McBath

Rep. George Latimer

Rep. Julie Johnson

Rep. Wesley Bell

Rep. Darren Soto

Rep. Lauren Underwood

Rep. David Scott

Rep. Nanette Barragán

Rep. Jennifer McClellan

Rep. Brad Schneider

Rep. Kevin Mullin

Rep. Marilyn Strickland

Rep. Paul Tonko

Rep. Madeleine Dean

Rep. Emilia Sykes

Rep. Andrea Salinas

Rep. Ted Lieu

Posted on

Congressman McClintock Applauds the City of Riverbank Securing a Lease to Convert the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant to Light Manufacturing

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Tom McClintock Representing the 4th District of California

The City of Riverbank and the Army have reached an agreement to secure a 40-year lease to convert the Riverbank Army Ammunition Plant to light manufacturing.  The city has been in the process of attempting to transfer the old Army depot site into use for economic development.  

In August 2025 Congressman McClintock met with city officials, local leaders and Army representatives on site at the facility to discuss the conveyance schedule, outstanding challenges and next steps required for the transfer of the depot.

“I’m glad to hear, that after many years of delays and negotiation, the Army and the City of Riverbank have come to an agreement on a lease,” said Congressman McClintock. “This is a huge step towards turning the Army’s ammunition plant into economic growth for the region. I look forward to continuing my work with Riverbank and the Army to see this project through,” said Rep. McClintock. 

“This long term lease signals the collaboration of federal, state and local government that we should strive for. Riverbank’s goal is to continue that momentum with our partners to ensure economic mobility for our residents for generations to come. We see the effort and we hope to continue this energy more efficiently than ever before while keeping our residents as our main priority,” said Riverbank Mayor Rachel Hernandez.

The secured lease agreement will allow for the next steps to commence in the process of conversion of the depot.

Congressman McClintock meets in August 2025 at the former Army depot in Riverbank with city officials, local leaders and Army representatives to discuss issues related with transfer of the facility

Posted on

Ranking Member Hoyer: No Business Would Treat its Workforce this Way and Expect Greater Efficiency

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05), Ranking Member of the Financial Services and General Government (FSGG) Appropriations Subcommittee, delivered opening remarks at the FSGG hearing on the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with Director Scott Kupor. Below are a video and transcript of his remarks:

Click here to watch a video.

“I want to thank the Chairman. I want to thank you, Mr. Kupor, for being here and for taking what are, obviously, extensive experience in the business world and efficiency and effectiveness and agreeing to take on the responsibilities that are OPM. Some 14 months ago, this Administration, however, before you were there, renewed its crusade against the federal workforce. Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought made this intention clear when he said, and I quote, ‘We want the bureau bureaucrats to be traumatically affected.’ He went on to say, and I quote, ‘When they wake up in the morning, we want them to not want to go to work because they’re increasingly viewed as the villains. We want their funding to be shut down. We want to put them in trauma.’ Frankly, that intent was certainly delivered upon. The federal government has lost some 300,000 federal employees since Trump took office. DOGE created uninformed, irrational, and negative chaos. Chaos and great trauma. Trump, Vought, and Musk justified their purge in the name of improving government efficiency, an objective we all share and you have articulated in your statement. Instead, our government has become less efficient, in my view, to the detriment of the American people. My own view, Mr. Kupor, is that DOGE knew exactly how to get rid of people and had no idea of the consequences of their actions. That was demonstrated in four months of chaos.

“The Office of Personnel Management has been instrumental – again, not under your leadership – in this effort to dismantle the federal government and traumatize our federal workers. As one who represents 77,000 federal workers, I think the most of any Member of Congress, I have certainly experienced that, my district offices have experienced that, and I’ve seen it firsthand in my district. Last month, OPM finalized its scheduled policy career, previously known as Schedule F. That rule makes it even easier, in my view, for the administration to purge another 50,000 nonpartisan federal employees and replace them with political – and I use this word harshly and advisedly – sycophants. OPM is also working to weaken the authority of the Merit Systems Protection Board and deny former employees their right to appeal their termination. You and I are both lawyers; having the appeal come from an agency and then having that same agency oversee that appeal seems to me to be not in the best interests of our federal employees or our federal government. These federal workers are patriotic professionals who provide vital service to the American people every day. They swear their loyalty to the Constitution, not to whoever sits in the Oval Office.

“I’ve been on this committee for a very long period of time, essentially since January of 1983, with 20 years off for leadership services. But, I’ve asked almost every person who has come out of the private sector to compare their federal workers with their private sector workers. Invariably, they say they are surprised at the high level of commitment, efficiency, and effectiveness of their federal employees. You’re shaking your head, maybe I’ll ask you that question when that’s timely. Last summer, OPM also canceled its annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, which measures federal workers’ morale and the organizational performance on their agencies. It will not surprise you [that] I’m somewhat skeptical, and apparently that the answers were not wanted. No wonder the Administration does not want that survey to see the light of day. I understand that many of these policies either predate you or did not originate with you. So, this is not – we’ll find out where you want to go, but you and the rest of OPM are pivotal in carrying out these policies. I’m eager to hear you and how you intend to stop these attacks on our merit based civil service, which is really the pride of this government in many ways in comparison with the rest of the world. I also want to make it clear that I believe the objective to improve government efficiency is an absolutely essential objective. We need to modernize how the federal government handles H.R., and you’ve advocated for some changes that I agree with on paper. We’ll see how they’re executed. You want to improve skills-based hiring and modernize retirement processes. So do I, but I’m skeptical that OPM can take these changes when it lost a third of its staff in the past 14 months, and when it is trying to do the job of the Merit System Protection Board as well. We’ve already seen signs that OPM has stretched itself too thin. May I have unanimous consent to have another minute? This is a critically important agency, as you can tell, as you know.

“In the past few weeks – thank you, I know I have – in the past few weeks, one of my district workers has received 50 cases [in] past weeks of federal retirees who’ve seen disruption in their retirement benefits. I see in your statement you deal with that. They need those benefits to keep a roof over their heads. They’ve tried calling, emailing, and visiting OPM in person, all to no avail. Director Kupor, you are clearly very capable and have had a successful career in business. I’m sure you know from experience how important employees are to the success of any enterprise. That’s why Vought’s remarks are so antithetical to any kind of human resources policy, by any government, large or small, or any private sector or enterprise. No business could treat its workforce this way and expect greater efficiency. For the sake not only of our federal employees, but the American people they serve every day. I hope we can find a way to work together to turn this situation around, and I thank you very much, as I said at the beginning, for offering your services in this role.”

Posted on

Congressman Cohen Announces Heart Disease Research Grant to UTHSC

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that Dr. Jonathan H. Jaggar of the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) Department of Physiology will receive a grant of $596,176 from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute for research on chloride channels in endothelial cells. Chloride channels are a type of protein that allows chloride (Cl–) to flow in and out of cells. Endothelial cells are the type of cells which line all blood vessels and form capillaries. This research will help us better understand the physiology of a critical subset of cells. 

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Heart and vascular diseases are a leading killer in the United States, so important research like that underwritten by this NIH funding is likely to improve outcomes and save lives. I commend Dr. Jaggar and the UTHSC for undertaking this critical work.”

# # #

Posted on

McCaul Highlights Dangers of DHS Shutdown Ahead of FIFA World Cup, America250

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – Today, House Committee on Homeland Security Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Texas) participated in a full committee hearing titled, “Funding Lapse and Security Gaps: Assessing the Harmful Impacts of the DHS Shutdown on Americans.” As chairman of the committee’s Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amidst Special Events, McCaul questioned witnesses about the danger of Democrats’ ongoing DHS shutdown ahead of the FIFA World Cup and America250 celebrations.

McCaul directed his questions to Ha Nguyen McNeill, senior official performing the duties of the administrator of TSA; Nicholas Andersen, acting director of CISA; and Victoria Barton, associate administrator for the Office of External Affairs at FEMA.

Click to watch

Full Exchange:

McCaul: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. We’re here today because, at a time when our nation is facing heightened threats, Democrats have shut down the Department of Homeland Security. DHS was created in the aftermath of the September 11th attacks to protect and secure the homeland. Shutting it down is national security malpractice, and it’s shameful. We’ve already seen four ISIS-inspired attacks on our homeland in recent weeks, including one in my hometown of Austin, where three innocent people were killed at the hands of a terrorist. And this week, the Iranian regime said it plans to attack parks, recreational areas, and tourist sites around the world. America250 celebrations will be held at all those sites.

The shutdown must end. And I was disappointed to hear Senate Democrats rejected yet another good faith offer from Republicans that contained many of their requests. Hopefully this will change soon. But in the meantime, our nation is on red alert. The Biden administration’s open border policy allowed more than 700 Iranian nationals and 18,000 known or suspected terrorists to enter our country, posing a serious national security threat. We need a functioning Department of Homeland Security to counter the threat of sleeper cells in this nation.

The shutdown is also wreaking havoc at TSA lines at our airports, and we see this every day on the television. The problem runs deeper than just travel disruption. For decades, aviation threats have been the crown jewel of terrorists from Al Qaeda to ISIS and its affiliates. Since the shutdown, TSA employees have been forced to work without pay. Four hundred officers have quit their jobs, constraining the agency’s ability to protect the traveling public.

This is alarming especially as we approach the FIFA World Cup and America250. In just three months, our nation will host millions of visitors who will travel throughout our airports. And as the chairman of this committee’s special events task force, I am laser focused on protecting our homeland during these events.

Let’s focus not only on the physical threat, but the cyber threat as well. When I chaired this committee, I created the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency to defend against cyber attacks. We heard the chairman talk about the threat from Iran. Reports say fewer than half of CISA’s employees are currently working, disrupting our ability to deter and mitigate threats to our critical infrastructure.

Lastly, I know that many FEMA grants are not being disbursed because of the shutdown. I helped secure the Nonprofit Security Grant Program. These provide security to houses of worship, which are coming under attack far too often. Just a couple weeks ago, an ISIS-inspired terrorist watched the Temple Israel Synagogue in Michigan and then attacked them in a terrorist attack. We need these grants out now.

I am hopeful that we will also reauthorize the DHS mission to counter weapons of mass destruction, [as that office] remains not authorized today and I think poses a serious threat.

In the remainder of time that I have, there are so many issues to cover, but I want to talk about TSA, CISA, and these grants. To TSA, you know, you have the operations center that I’ve been to many times that monitors traffic across the world globally and aviation threats globally. Can you tell me what impact the shutdown is having on that? And Mr. Andersen, if you could tell me about CISA, without these employees not being able to connect the dots and share it with the private sector, what impact that is having? And Ms. Barton, can you tell me about the lack of funding to protect particularly Jewish synagogues across this nation as we know the Iran threat is real inside the United States and our homeland?

McNeill: Thank you, Congressman. Our operations center is up and running and we’re doing everything that we can during this time to maintain a strong security posture, especially during this heightened threat environment. Our officers are doing a tremendous job showing up every day at work and screening the traveling public to make sure that they’re making it to their destination safely. But I will say it is a real human toll to wake up and show up to work every day not knowing how you’re going to pay your bills. And so I am, of course, concerned about the workforce, and the longer this shutdown goes on and more missed paychecks, we are really putting ourselves and our workforce in a perilous situation.

Andersen: You’re correct, sir. Being able to connect the dots with the private sector, a lot of it is based on the expertise and the relationships that a lot of these employees have that have served for such a long time at CISA, since this committee helped bring it into existence. That’s all the more difficult when we have those same employees that we’re relying on their expertise and those relationships — and to Ms. McNeil’s point — they’re having to choose between being able to support their families and continuing to support the mission of securing our nation’s critical infrastructure.

Barton: For the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, at this time, we are stalled because the staff that’s processing and supposed to work on those grants has been impacted by the shutdown. And those funds are critical to get out for many of the nonprofits and houses of worship that receive and use those funds for security.

###