MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) announced that he secured $13,770,432 in federal funding for 14 local projects in California’s 36th Congressional District. The federal funding for community projects will support efforts to improve infrastructure, protect the environment, strengthen public safety, reduce homelessness, and more.

“I am so grateful to represent a district that consistently presents innovative solutions to our most pressing problems,” said Congressman Lieu. “One of the best parts of serving in Congress is bringing home federal funding for essential local projects. From improving water quality to delivering cost-effective housing solutions for individuals experiencing or at risk of homelessness, these projects will make our community safer and healthier. I am pleased to have fought for this funding and can’t wait to see how it transforms our community for the better.”

Rep. Lieu championed funding for 14 projects that will directly benefit California’s 36th District residents. These include:

• $1,145,144 for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Abalone Cove Landslide Stabilization Project
• $250,000 for the City of Redondo Beach’s Affordable Housing Acquisition to Lease Project
• $841,000 for the City of Santa Monica’s Dispatch Center Communications Upgrade Project
• $1,040,000 for the City of Manhattan Beach’s Ensuring Cybersecurity of Critical Infrastructure Project
• $250,000 for the University of California Los Angeles’ EV Buses Project
• $1,200,000 for Culver City’s Hydrogen Bus Pilot Project
• $1,145,144 for the City of Rancho Palos Verdes’ Klondike Canyon Landslide Emergency Mitigation Project
• $2,000,000 for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District’s Miraleste Intermediate School Modernization Project
• $1,145,144 for the City of El Segundo’s Pump Station Upgrade Project
• $1,031,000 for the City of Hermosa Beach’s Real Time Crime Center Project
• $850,000 for the City of Los Angeles Housing Department’s Sepulveda Hotel to Homes
• $750,000 for the City of Rolling Hills Estates’ Storm Drain Repair Dry Well Infiltration Basin Project
• $1,031,000 for the City of Torrance’s Public Safety Digital Infrastructure Expansion Project
• $1,092,000 for the City of Beverly Hills’ Water Reliability Project

In the past five years, Congressman Lieu has secured a total of $58.8 million for communities in LA County. Taken together, the funding for California’s 36th District will continue to grow our local economy and support our communities.

Read more about each CA-36 project here. 

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

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) joined the Ranking Members of the House Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, and Intelligence Committees, and other Democratic veteran colleagues, including Representative Pat Ryan (NY-18), to introduce a bill to prohibit the use of taxpayer dollars for military action against Iran.

The introduction comes after nine weeks of hostilities conducted without Congressional approval, costing at least $25 billion and causing the deaths of 13 U.S. servicemembers. The President’s war of choice has inflicted pain on working-class families, including through the rising costs of gas. 

The No Funds for Iran War Act would prohibit the use of additional taxpayer funds for military action against Iran in the absence of an Authorization for the Use of Military Force (AUMF) or official declaration of war from Congress.

“This Administration’s war of choice in Iran cost American lives and billions of American dollars, and continues to raise costs for working families all across America,” said Rep. Panetta. “Without a coherent strategy, the consent of Congress, or the consensus of the American people, the conflict needs to be contained by Congress before it grows into a broader, prolonged war. This legislation would help by prohibiting the use of additional taxpayer funds for the war barring congressional approval, and allow Congress to take back its constitutional authority to protect our service members and lower costs for all Americans.”

“The American people have been clear from the beginning: they want lower costs and no more forever wars. The Trump administration has spent nine weeks conducting an illegal war in Iran that has done the exact opposite – and every American is paying the price,” said Rep. Ryan. “Their recklessness has killed 13 brave servicemembers, wounded hundreds more, cost at least $25 billion in taxpayer money, and sent gas prices skyrocketing here at home. Since Day 1, there has been no strategy or endgame. Not a single dollar more on this ill-conceived war.”

“Trump’s war of choice has achieved none of the administration’s stated objectives and has surpassed the president’s initial stated timeline of the conflict, which was supposed to last only a few weeks. Now that the president is moving the goal posts and twisting the 60-day requirements of the War Powers Act, Congress must take action. It is time for it to exercise its constitutional power of the purse,” said Rep. Adam Smith (WA-09), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee.

“Trump’s Iran war was never authorized by Congress, and no funds appropriated by Congress should be spent on this illegal conflict,” said Rep. Gregory Meeks (NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “The American people don’t want this administration spending billions of taxpayer dollars on a new forever war in the Middle East that is already driving up the costs of everything from gas to groceries. I thank Rep. Ryan for his leadership introducing this bill.”

“Donald Trump believes he can continue to wage an unconstitutional war at the expense of American taxpayers, but at the end of the day Congress still holds the purse strings and will be the final authority on our long-term military action overseas,” said Rep. Jim Himes (CT-04), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. “I know that my Republican colleagues are hearing, as I am, from their constituents who are seeing their gas and grocery prices rise by the week, and I hope that they will join us in limiting this illegal spending, restoring Congress’ constitutional authority to declare war and refocusing on delivering lower prices for the American people.”

In addition to Rep. Panetta, the legislation is cosponsored by Reps. Smith, Meeks, and Himes and Rep. Panetta’s fellow Democratic veteran Representatives Ted Lieu (CA-36), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Jason Crow (CO-06), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Gil Cisneros (CA-31), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Derek Tran (CA-45), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), Herb Conaway (NJ-03), Mike Thompson (CA-04), and Bobby Scott (VA-03).

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

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) authored and introduced the Workforce Housing Tax Credit (WHTC) Act. Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15) co-leads this bipartisan bill that would increase the supply of affordable housing for middle-income families who earn too much to qualify for low-income affordable housing and not enough to afford to buy or rent housing.

The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act would help to close that gap between middle and low income housing by establishing the first-ever middle-income housing tax credit, which is estimated to finance approximately 344,000 affordable rental homes. The legislation would also provide flexibility so that states can maximize their resources and best meet community housing needs by allowing housing finance agencies to transfer their middle-income allocation to their Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation when necessary. It also allows buildings to combine the two credits to help make more low-income housing projects financially feasible.

“In California’s 19th Congressional District, there are many people who work and support their families but make too much to qualify for low-income housing and too little to buy or rent a home near their workplace,” said Rep. Panetta. “My bipartisan Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act would address that gap by incentivizing investment in the development of workforce housing for middle-income families. This legislation would help ensure that middle-income working families spend time in our communities rather than stuck in their commutes and that people who work here can afford to live here and call California’s 19th Congressional District home.”

“I am proud to once again co-lead the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act alongside my Ways and Means colleague, Congressman Panetta,” said Rep. Carey. “Columbus, Ohio has seen incredible population and economic growth, but with this new development comes significant challenges. Given the current shortage of affordable housing, we must continue to do everything we can to incentivize the development of low and middle-income housing, and this bill does exactly that. Stable housing is essential to the success of individuals and families, and I will continue to focus on ensuring people in Ohio’s 15th Congressional District have access to housing.”

Highlights of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act include:

• Similar to the LIHTC, state housing finance agencies would allocate the tax credits to developers through a competitive process. The tax credits would be provided to developers over a 15-year period, with a 15-year compliance period and 30-year extended commitment.
• Tax credits are allocated to states based on population, at $1 per capita with a $1.5 million small state minimum. An additional 5% of the allocation would be made available and reserved for middle-income housing developed in rural areas.
• For new buildings, the credit would equal 50% of the cost of the building over the lifetime of the credit. For rehabilitated buildings and bond-financed buildings, the credit would equal 20% of the cost of the building. More credit could be awarded for buildings in difficult development areas, as designated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). However, state housing agencies would only allocate the amount of credit needed to make a housing project financially feasible.
• To qualify for the credit, at least 60% of the building’s units must be occupied by individuals with area median incomes of 100% or less where the rents are restricted to 30% of the designated income. The affordability restrictions would remain in place for up to 15 years after the compliance period (for a total 30-year affordability period).
• WHTC also works in conjunction with LIHTC to support low-income affordable housing. First, a state can tailor the allocation to its needs: it can elect to transfer any portion of their middle-income allocation to LIHTC at any point during the year. Second, WHTC can help the financial feasibility of affordable buildings by combining LIHTC and middle-income housing tax credits for different units as long as at least 20% of the total units are middle-income units.

“NMHC strongly supports Reps. Panetta and Carey’s introduction of the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act,” said NMHC president Sharon Wilson Géno. “Building on the immensely successful Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, the Workforce Housing Tax Credit would extend critical support to moderate-income households who are struggling with housing costs. Together, both tax credits will help grow the supply of housing across communities nationwide and move us closer to the affordability solutions that American renters urgently need.”

“The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act is a smart, targeted solution to one of the most pressing challenges facing our housing market today, the shortage of homes affordable to middle-income families. By leveraging the proven success of the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, this legislation will unlock private investment and expand housing options for teachers, first responders, and other essential workers who are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. We applaud Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their leadership in advancing a bipartisan approach that strengthens our housing supply, supports economic mobility, and brings more Americans closer to achieving the dream of stable, attainable homeownership,” said Shannon McGahn, Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy Officer for the National Association of REALTORS®.

“The National Affordable Housing Management Association (NAHMA) strongly endorses the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. As the leading voice for affordable housing providers, we recognize that our nation’s housing crisis now extends well into the ‘missing middle,’ impacting the very workers who sustain our local economies. While the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) remains our most successful affordable housing tool for low-income families, a widening gap exists for those earning up to 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Teachers, first responders, and healthcare professionals are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. This bipartisan legislation, introduced by Representatives Panetta and Carey, provides a necessary, market-based extension of the proven tax credit model to meet this specific need. By providing a scalable financing tool, this Act will empower developers and managers to expand the supply of stable, high-quality housing for middle-income earners. NAHMA commends this proactive approach to strengthening the housing continuum. We urge Congress to act swiftly to pass this legislation, ensuring that the American workforce has access to the housing security essential for economic stability and community growth,” said Kristina Cook, NAHMA Chief Executive Officer.

“The Mortgage Bankers Association is pleased to support the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. Expanding the availability of rental housing for middle-income households is critical to addressing the nation’s housing supply challenges. This legislation would help address a significant gap in the market, supporting the development of housing for working families who earn too much to qualify for existing programs but still struggle to find affordable options near where they work or want to live. We appreciate Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their bipartisan leadership on this important issue,” said Bill Killmer, Senior Vice President, Legislative and Political Affairs at the Mortgage Bankers Association.

“I applaud Representatives Jimmy Panetta and Mike Carey for their leadership in introducing and championing the Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act. As Harvard’s Joint Center on Housing Studies has regularly documented, renter cost burdens are climbing up on the income spectrum, leaving households in many urban, suburban, and rural communities that earn too much for traditional rental housing subsidies but too little for market-rate rental housing with few or no affordable housing options. This bill provides states with a very flexible rental housing financing tool to address this growing national need,” said Michael Novogradac, Managing Partner at Novogradac & Company LLP.

“The Workforce Housing Tax Credit Act takes a proven approach and applies it to the part of the market our housing system is failing to serve,” said Mike Kingsella, CEO of Up for Growth and Up for Growth Action. “We have built a strong system to support low-income housing, but there is no comparable tool for middle-income workers who keep local economies running and are increasingly priced out of the communities they serve. This bill makes middle-income housing pencil and gives developers a real path to deliver housing at scale, so people can afford to live near their jobs,”

Full text of the bill is available here.

 

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

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today observed the wholesale destruction of democratic representation in the state of Tennessee by the Tennessee General Assembly that he has tried to prevent and made the following statement:

“While we expected this egregious result, it’s hard to contemplate how much harm the General Assembly has done to the voice of Black voters in Tennessee, and specifically in Memphis. The procedures outlined in this hastily drawn legislation are obviously inadequate. The time factor for creating new district lines for candidates is clearly inadequate and confusing for voters after established lines have been in place and candidates have been campaigning for two months. The new arrangement cannot result in fair representation. 

“Beyond all that, the fact that each of these new districts was drawn to divide almost exactly into thirds the Black voting population of the 9^th District suggests serious racist and unethical intent and raises legal issues about the use of race being the true predominant factor in this redistricting effort.”

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

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) will join leaders of the Historic Clayborn Temple for a press conference on Friday to discuss the $3.1 million he secured through the annual appropriations process for restoration of the church ravaged by fire one year ago.

The church was the organizing headquarters for striking sanitation workers in 1968.

What: A press conference to discuss the $3.1 million Congressman Cohen secured in his Community Project Funding request in the annual appropriations process

Who: Speakers will include Congressman Cohen; Anasa Troutman, Founder and CEO of The Big We from Historic Clayborn Temple; Willie “Hank” Henry, the District Director of the 9^th Congressional District who attended meetings at the church during the 1968 strike; and Dorcas Young Griffin, deputy chief administrative officer, Shelby County

Congressman Cohen will be available after the press conference to discuss other matters.

When: Friday, May 8, at 10:30 a.m.

Where: Historic Clayborn Temple is at 294 Hernando Street, Memphis (38126) Street parking is available on Hernando Street.

Please RSVP to Congressman Cohen’s communications director at Bartholomew.Sullivan@mail.house.gov

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

New Emergency Food Bank Recovery Hub will more than double capacity, improve efficiency, and reduce food waste

ABOVE: Dr. Leonard Hansen, Rep. Harder, and Stockton Emergency Food Bank Board Chair Don Ruhstaller present a check for the new distribution hub

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced more than $1 million in federal funding he secured for a massive food storage expansion at the Stockton Emergency Food Bank. In response to growing food assistance demand and chronic infrastructure challenges, Harder secured funding for a new, 17,400 square-foot Food Recovery Hub warehouse to expand the Food Bank’s storage and service capacity and reduce food insecurity in the Valley.

The Stockton Emergency Food Bank is a lifeline for struggling families:

• The Food Bank serves an average of 500 vehicles per distribution, supporting over 21,000 people each month.
• But demand for food assistance is on the rise – nearly 200,000 residents in San Joaquin County in 2024 were food insecure, and federal cuts to food assistance programs are kicking thousands more off of CalFresh.
• The Food Bank is also facing chronic infrastructure challenges, including a warehouse that is nearly 50 years old and no dedicated loading dock for food transportation.

“Food banks play a critical role in our communities providing families with essential resources – that’s why I fought for the Stockton Emergency Food Bank to receive federal funding to expand their services,” said Rep. Harder. “Many of the families that use food banks work full-time jobs but still can’t make ends meet with rising costs. This expansion project will make sure that more families have access to this lifeline with dignity. We can’t let our community go hungry.”

The new Food Recovery Hub will better support the Food Bank’s mission to address hunger and food insecurity in the Valley:

• The new 17,400 square-foot warehouse will more than double capacity and include a dedicated loading dock.
• These upgrades will significantly improve efficiency and expand the Food Bank’s ability to recover, store, and distribute fresh and shelf-stable food from local and regional partners. 
• This increased capacity will also reduce food waste while ensuring more food reaches families who need it most.

“Our goal is not only to provide food and nutrition education, but to do so in a way that honors the dignity of every person we serve,” said Leonard Hansen, Stockton Emergency Food Bank President and CEO. “This Community Project Funding grant will allow us to expand our food recovery efforts, operate more efficiently and reach more families across Stockton and San Joaquin County suffering from food insecurity.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Annual “One Voice” trip connects local leaders with federal lawmakers to discuss Valley priorities

PICTURES from the speaker series are available here

WASHINGTON – Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) hosted dozens of local leaders, community advocates, and Valley elected officials on Capitol Hill this week for the annual San Joaquin One Voice advocacy trip. One Voice connects Valley advocates with federal lawmakers to discuss regional priorities and collaborate on future funding opportunities. 

“My number one job is showing up and listening to Valley issues, and it was great to welcome so many Valley leaders to Washington,” said Rep. Harder. “The best ideas don’t come from bureaucrats sitting behind desks in D.C., they come from the people on the ground who know exactly what their communities need. I’m grateful for the important discussions and exciting opportunities that come out of this annual tradition, and I’m going to keep working with local leaders to make sure our families have the federal support they deserve.” 

Throughout the week, Harder held discussions and speaker series with a wide range of Valley representatives, including San Joaquin Area Flood Control Agency, Stockton Metropolitan Airport, and the City of Mountain House.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) announced the winners of the 2026 Congressional Art Competition in Massachusetts’ Third District. The winners were announced at her annual art competition reception held at The Chelmsford Center for the Arts.
“Every year, this competition reminds me just how much talent we have right here in the Third District,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “Nate’s painting stopped me in my tracks – there’s a real stillness and maturity to it that you don’t expect from a high school student. I’m so proud of him and every student who had the courage to put their work in front of a panel of judges. The fact that ‘Midsummer Indolence’ will hang in the United States Capitol is a tribute not just to Nate, but to the incredible arts community we have across this district.”
The winner of this year’s competition is Nate Kim, an 11th grader at Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. His piece, titled “Midsummer Indolence,” was created using oil paint on canvas and depicts a young child fishing by a pond, surrounded by lush green grass and plants. The painting will be displayed in the United States Capitol later this year alongside winning pieces from other congressional districts.
Trahan also announced the runners-up for this year’s competition:
Second Place: Yumeng Mia Li from the Groton School with her submission titled “The Wash”
Third Place (tie): Westford Academy student Navya Katru’s “Suspension” and Concord Academy student Krithik Davarjan’s “Green Miles of the Routine: The Milkman”
This year’s winners were selected by a three-judge panel: Sara Bogosian, President and Executive Director of the Whistler House Museum of Art in Lowell; Eileen Williston, Executive Director of The Umbrella Arts Center in Concord; and Emily Mazzola, Curator at the Fitchburg Art Museum.
About the Congressional Art Competition: Each spring, the Congressional Institute sponsors a nationwide high school visual art competition to recognize and encourage artistic talent across the country and in each congressional district. Since the competition began in 1982, more than 700,000 high school students have participated. Students submit entries to their representative’s office, and panels of local artists select the winning entries. Winners are recognized both in their district and at an annual awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. First-place pieces are displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol, and the winner will be invited to a celebratory reception in Washington, D.C. in June.
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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

Members cite new research showing 988 Lifeline has prevented thousands of youth suicide deaths nationwide