MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

Washington, DC — Representatives Gregory W. Meeks (D-N.Y.), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Adam Smith (D-Wash.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Bennie G. Thompson (D-Miss.), Ranking Member of the House Homeland Security Committee; Jason Crow (D-Colo.), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Intelligence and Special Operations; and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) issued a statement following the vote on their War Powers Resolution to end the Trump Administration’s military strikes in the Caribbean and Pacific:   

“The Trump Administration’s ongoing lethal U.S. military strikes on alleged drug boats in the Western Hemisphere are legally questionable, and ineffective. Under existing U.S. law, these vessels could have been interdicted and their occupants subjected to judicial process. Instead of pursuing prosecutions, this administration has deliberately avoided judicial scrutiny by conducting lethal strikes, repatriating survivors, and in at least one instance carrying out a second strike on defenseless persons.

“The president has failed to demonstrate the necessary authority under U.S. or international law to conduct lethal military strikes on these boats. No one can credibly claim that these vessels, in some cases not even traveling to the United States and located thousands of miles from U.S. soil, posed an imminent threat to the American people warranting the use of military force. Our War Powers Resolution sought to terminate these extrajudicial strikes, yet most Republicans chose loyalty to Donald Trump over their oath to the Constitution. By not reining in Trump’s gross abuse of power, they are sending a dangerous signal that any president can unilaterally commit U.S. armed forces to hostilities without Congressional authorization. We hope our Republican colleagues find their courage in the face of President Trump’s threats to expand this military operation into Venezuela. Should he be allowed to do so, he will no doubt provoke another forever war that the American people do not support and Congress has certainly not authorized.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON — Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) Deputy Chair Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05) issued the following statement in response to House Republicans’ failure to protect healthcare for millions of Americans:

“Today’s vote on House Republicans’ warmed-over partisan policies was a disgrace. It did nothing to protect the 22 million Americans who will see their monthly premiums double on average. Their cruelty and incompetence will make health insurance so unaffordable that millions will face no choice but to go without any coverage at all.  

“Speaker Johnson has failed the American people and members of his own conference, whose constituents are demanding the relief that every House Democrat has supported: a simple three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits. But that vote cannot wait until January, after the credits expire, for a Democratic discharge petition to be considered. Americans will face this financial cliff in a matter of days.

“We demand that Speaker Johnson keep the House in session to schedule a vote to pass a clean, three-year extension of Affordable Care Act tax credits to provide ordinary Americans with the healthcare they need. If Johnson could move heaven and earth to deliver tax cuts to the richest and most powerful donors to Trump and the Republican Party, he can keep the House open to pass tax credits that protect millions of Americans’ healthcare and which now has support from the majority of Congress.

“The Progressive Caucus will not stop fighting for affordable healthcare, and more importantly, insurance will move us away from a privatized for-profit system. The real solution to this crisis is a truly universal system, like Medicare for All, that provides healthcare as a human right to all Americans.” 

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The Congressional Progressive Caucus (CPC) is made up of nearly 100 members standing up for progressive ideals in Washington and throughout the country. Since 1991, the CPC has advocated for progressive policies that prioritize working Americans over corporate interests. The CPC champions policies including comprehensive immigration reform, good-paying jobs, fair trade, universal health care, debt-free college, climate action, and a just foreign policy. The caucus is the leading voice calling for bold and sweeping solutions to the urgent crises facing this nation, including ending America’s broken for-profit health care system, raising American wages, eliminating political corruption, supporting the labor movement, and taking action to protect the planet for generations to come.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Ilhan Omar (MN-05) announced two formal congressional inquiries into the Trump Administration’s escalating attacks on Somali communities in Minnesota and across the country.

In a letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Rep. Omar demanded immediate answers regarding Operation Metro Surge, an ICE deployment to the Twin Cities that has resulted in widespread racial profiling, unlawful arrests of U.S. citizens, excessive force, and violations of constitutional rights.

Rep. Omar’s letter cites multiple documented incidents in which ICE agents detained people who had identified themselves as U.S. citizens, mocked a woman for wearing a hijab, used pepper spray on bystanders, and refused to provide warrants while carrying out arrests near homes, schools, and a university campus. The New York Times also reported that approximately 100 ICE agents were deployed to Minnesota, at significant taxpayer expense.

In a second letter sent to Secretary Noem, Rep. Omar led Members of Congress in demanding a full explanation of the administration’s threat to abruptly terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somali nationals in the United States.

Earlier this month, President Trump publicly claimed he would end TPS for Somalis “effective immediately,” and DHS officials echoed these statements despite a longstanding federal law governing TPS designations. Somalia has been designated for TPS since 1991 due to ongoing humanitarian crises. Ending TPS would put lives at risk and tear apart families who have lived, worked, and contributed to our communities for decades.

The letter, co-led by Representatives Adam Smith(WA-09), Joyce Beatty(OH-03), Betty McCollum (MN-04), Angie Craig (MN-02), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Jared Golden (ME-02), Kelly Morrison (MN-03), and Chellie Pingree (ME-01), requests detailed explanations of the legal basis for terminating TPS, the administration’s assessment of current conditions in Somalia, consultations with humanitarian experts, and the potential consequences for regional stability.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Ilhan Omar (DFL-MN)

WASHINGTON– Today, Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) spoke on the House Floor to honor Minneapolis Fire Department’s first all-Native fire crew. The 4-member crew serves South Minneapolis with one shared goal: to strengthen trust between the department and the communities it serves.

The full video can be found here.

Full transcript below:

“Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Minneapolis Fire Department for the historic assembly of their first all-Native Fire Crew.

“Manned by Captain Michael Graves, fire motor operator Jessie Strong, and firefighters Johnny Crow and Bobby Headbird, the crew operates Engine 10 out of Fire House Number Six in Minneapolis.

“The four firefighters share one goal: to build trust between the department and the communities it serves.

“Beyond responding to fire and emergency medical calls across South Minneapolis, the crew makes a diligent effort to attend community events and ensure young kids see their identities represented in public service.

“I’m incredibly grateful for the work they do to keep our city safe and inspire future generations to give back to their communities.

“Thank you and I yield back.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Delegation calls for DOE to release funds delayed since June by December 31, 2025

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), and Congressman Russ Fulcher (ID-01) re-introduced the Bring Our Heroes Home Act in the House of Representatives. This bipartisan, bicameral legislation would expedite and coordinate the process of collecting, declassifying, and making public records of Prisoners of War (POW) and Missing in Action (MIA) service members, eliminating obstacles that prevent families and caseworkers from accessing records needed for recovery of America’s prisoners of war (POWs) and missing in action (MIA). Senators Jeanne Shaheen (NH) and Mike Crapo (ID) introduced companion legislation in the Senate earlier this year. Senator Maggie Hassan (NH) is a cosponsor of this legislation.

According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, approximately 80,930 Americans, including 316 Granite Staters, remain unaccounted for from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Cold War, the Gulf Wars and other conflicts.

“Loved ones of service members who are missing in action or unaccounted for have been forced to wait for far too long for the closure they deserve,” said Congressman Pappas. “In many cases, families wait years to decades long to learn any information about their loved ones due to the current failure to prioritize declassifying and making the necessary information public. This bipartisan legislation will expedite the process of identification and repatriation, provide information that could bring peace to these families in a timely manner, and help bring our service members home once and for all.”

“The families of America’s missing service members carry the heavy weight of uncertainty, waiting years and often decades for answers about their loved ones who served our nation with courage and conviction,” said Senator Shaheen. “We owe it to these families to make that wait as short as possible and free from unnecessary bureaucratic burden. Our bipartisan Bring Our Heroes Home Act takes meaningful steps to ensure that vital records are preserved, responsibly declassified and made accessible so that families can finally gain the clarity they deserve. Our nation has a solemn responsibility to honor every hero’s legacy and to ensure none are forgotten or left behind.” 

The Bring Our Heroes Home Act would:

• Create a collection of missing Armed Forces and civilian personnel records at the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for families and caseworkers to easily access;
• Require executive agencies to identify, locate and transmit any missing Armed Forces personnel records to the National Archives for placement in the collection; and
• Establish an independent Missing Armed Forces and Civilian Personnel Records Review Board to identify missing personnel records, facilitate the transmission and disclosure of these records, and review any decisions by federal agencies to postpone declassification for purposes of protecting sensitive classified material.

Pappas has been an advocate for New Hampshire’s veterans, service members, and service members who are missing in action or unaccounted for throughout his time in Congress. In 2019 Pappas secured the passage of The National POW/MIA Flag Act, which requires the POW/MIA flag to be displayed alongside the American flag at certain federal buildings and memorials to honor all POW/MIAs, and was signed into law by President Trump on November 7, 2019.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity, introduced three bipartisan bills to improve processes at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and expand eligibility for survivors’ benefits, insurance coverage, and burial processes. These bills are the Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act, co-led by Congressman Rudy Yakym (IN-02), as well as the VA Insurance Improvement Act, and Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act, both co-led by Congressman James Moylan (GU-AL). 

“Service members, veterans, and their families deserve our utmost respect for the sacrifices they make for us and our country. These bipartisan bills make commonsense improvements to these programs and take a small step towards repaying the debt we owe our veterans and their families,” said Congressman Pappas. “My legislation would protect survivors’ pensions for Gulf War spouses and dependents, make all veterans under the age of 81 years old eligible for VA Life Insurance, and extend burial benefits to family members who predecease their veteran family members but wish to be buried together. I will continue to advocate for these changes and further improvements to VA processes that will cut red tape and improve benefits for veterans and their families.”

Background:

The Gulf War Survivor Benefits Update Act would ensure surviving spouses of Gulf War veterans remain eligible for survivors’ pension by extending the statutory marriage delimiting date.

The VA Insurance Improvement Act would improve and update VA insurance coverage. Specifically, it would:

• Extend eligibility for VA Life Insurance (VALife) coverage for all veterans under 81 years old, regardless of service-connected disability status;
• Allow for Veterans’ Mortgage Life Insurance (VMLI) administrative expenses to be reimbursed from the VMLI program funds;
• Add Space Force to the definition of “uniformed service” for the purpose of eligibility for the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program.

The Veterans’ Burial Improvement Act would update burial standards and eligibility for service members’ families, Medal of Honor recipients, and veterans. Specifically, it would: 

• Make permanent VA’s authority to bury spouses and dependent children who predecease active duty service members;
• Authorize VA to pay a flat reimbursement rate for the transportation of a deceased veteran to a national cemetery or eligible veterans cemetery;
• Eliminate cutoff date for eligibility for VA-provided headstone, marker, or medallion for all Medal of Honor recipients;
• Authorize VA to provide group burial markers;
• Allow internment of certain individuals in cemeteries that receive plot allowance for veteran burials.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today at a hearing held by the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01), Ranking Member of the subcommittee, pressed VA leadership on VA’s failure to pay required education benefits on time to over 75,000 veterans and their families and survivors. View Pappas’s remarks here.

Underscoring the lack of communication from VA to veterans, their families, and Congress, Pappas said, “We have not had that – in fact, in all my years on this Committee I have never experienced this level of stonewalling before… VA has issued little to no public acknowledgment for months regarding the seventy-five thousand beneficiaries whose benefits have been delayed. There has been minimal communication for months to schools and beneficiaries themselves. And there has been zero communication with Congress, unless you can count the letter that we received back that didn’t answer our questions at 5:45 yesterday. Three letters that were sent from members of this committee went unanswered for a month and a half.”

Stressing the length of time of four months for VA to share information, he said, “It took four months between this problem being identified and Congress being updated. Four months – during which tens of thousands of beneficiaries were left without any information. There’s just no excuse for such an egregious lack of communication around an issue that affects so many veterans. Any reasonable person would conclude that a deliberate, political decision was made to cut off communications with Congress and veterans to avoid accountability and hide the problem.”

Pappas shared a constituent story, saying, “One of my constituents from Manchester contacted our office and said: ‘Due to an error with the VA benefits system I have not received my education benefits so far this semester. The call-in line that I and the University of New Hampshire veteran center staff use to resolve such issues has been deactivated for the duration of the shutdown, leaving me dead in the water. My wife’s salary has so far covered our rent and food, but we are at risk of losing child care for my son due to non-payment as well as having to miss car payments.’ Financial stress put on him and his family is evident. It is also unacceptable.”

Background:

Pappas has sent multiple letters, with House Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Mark Takano (CA-39) and Senate Veterans Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (CT) on this issue. Secretary Collins failed to respond to previous letters sent on October 9 and November 14 until yesterday evening, missing multiple deadlines to provide the requested information. VA acknowledged during a December 5 briefing that it never informed Congress of the issue impacting 75,000 beneficiaries, which started in August. VA is aware of the failed distribution of checks that is still affecting the finances of thousands, but deemed it unnecessary to communicate with the veterans, families, and survivors impacted or notify Congress and the public. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) introduced the Protecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act, legislation to assist Americans in alleviating paperwork burdens and making informed enrollment decisions. This includes extending the 2026 Open Enrollment period, restoring auto-reenrollment and the Special Enrollment Period (SEP) which were repealed in the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and funding the Navigator Program.

“I’m not letting up in the fight for affordable health care for Granite Staters. We have one month left in open enrollment and individuals are seeing eye-popping premium increases of double or even triple,” said Congressman Pappas. “We have bipartisan legislation ready to go, but Republican leadership continues to refuse to bring it to the floor to stop skyrocketing health care costs. While we keep fighting to get our bill to the floor, my legislation would give families the time, flexibility, and resources to find health insurance coverage that is right for them. I will continue pushing to expand health care access and lower costs at this critical time for New Hampshire families.”

This legislation is endorsed by NAMI, Third Way, and Protect Our Care.

“NAMI NH often hears from Granite Staters with mental illness who struggle to access essential health care for themselves and their families,” said Susan Stearns, Executive Director of NAMI New Hampshire.  “We are grateful to Rep. Pappas for introducing TheProtecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act to help prevent gaps in coverage – and in care – by extending open enrollment & supporting trusted Navigators.”

“Health care decisions shouldn’t be rushed or based on incorrect information, which can limit people’s access to critical mental health services,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at NAMI. “By extending open enrollment, protecting auto-reenrollment, and investing in the trusted Navigator Program, the Protecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act would help Americans better understand often confusing options and information, potentially avoiding unnecessary gaps in health coverage. NAMI thanks Rep. Pappas for introducing this important legislation, which would benefit many Americans’ access to mental health care.”

“Americans are under constant threat from Republican health care cuts and efforts to weaken the Affordable Care Act. Meanwhile, Congressman Chris Pappas is fighting to restore key policies to ensure Americans have adequate access to health care,” said Darbin Wofford, Deputy Director of Health Care at Third Way. “Third Way applauds his introduction of the Protecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act, which would ease administrative burdens for those seeking health insurance and maximize access to the Affordable Care Act Marketplaces.” 

“Trump and Republicans have blown past deadline after deadline as hard-working Granite Staters wait for a fix to their GOP-driven skyrocketing health insurance premiums,” said Protect Our Care New Hampshire’s Jayme Simoes. “Republicans got us into this mess, and if they’re not going to dig us out by ending their disastrous war on health care, the very least they can do is pass Rep. Pappas’s Protecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act. This bill would be a lifeline for New Hampshire families, giving them additional time and resources to make major decisions about their health and finances as the new year begins.”

The Protecting Access to Affordable Coverage Act would:

• Extend 2026 Open Enrollment through May 1st, 2026 to provide individuals and families more time to assess Marketplace prices and make an informed decision about health insurance coverage as a result of the chaos and confusion caused by Republican inaction;
• Reinstate auto-reenrollment, which was repealed by the Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act, to reduce administrative burden for consumers to enroll in ACA coverage;
• Make permanent a Special Enrollment Period for low-income individuals to ensure the ACA plans are available to Americans even when income fluctuates;
• Restore and make mandatory funding of $100 million to the Navigator Program, which helps consumers make informed decisions about their health plans.

Full text is available here.

This legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Maggie Goodlander (NH-02), and Julie Johnson (TX-32).

Background: 

Last week Pappas was a part of a bipartisan coalition of 38 total House Members that introduced the CommonGround for Affordable Health Care Act, which includes a year extension of the enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs), with targeted modifications, new guardrails to prevent “ghost beneficiaries” and crack down on fraud, an extension of open enrollment, and PBM reform. In November Pappas led the call for the Trump administration to extend the ACA open enrollment period and subsequently introduced the Right to Enroll Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the enrollment period through May 1, 2026. Pappas supports multiple pieces of  legislation that would prevent extreme increases in health care premiums next year by extending the enhanced premium tax credits that keep health insurance affordable for Granite Staters and small businesses. 

Pappas held a roundtable with leadership from Lamprey Health Care about the burden of these increased costs, during which they shared stories about the impact the lapse will have on their patients, as well as the news that the health center’s annual premium to cover their staff is also expected to increase by 40% next year. Small businesses across New Hampshire are bearing these costs, including a manufacturer Pappas visited that expects to see a 38% increase in its health insurance costs next year due to the lapse of the tax credits.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06) introduced the Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act, a bipartisan bill to help communities respond to and recover from extreme weather and natural disasters.

Inspired by the Colorado Resiliency Office that has proven successful in helping communities adapt to changing environmental conditions, the CLEAR Act would establish a competitive grant program to help states, territories, and tribes establish and maintain resiliency offices to develop tools, provide assistance, and implement policies to strengthen resiliency in communities nationwide. The CLEAR Act would authorize $100 million annually for five years.

Representatives Young Kim (R-CA-40), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM-02), and Carol Miller (R-WV-01) joined Congressman Crow in introducing this bipartisan legislation. 

“Extreme weather events continue to impact Colorado and states across the country. I’m proud to introduce the CLEAR Act to provide communities with the tools and resources to respond and rebuild after natural disasters,” said Congressman Crow. “This bipartisan bill bolsters local efforts to prepare for extreme weather and will help strengthen critical infrastructure, protect small businesses, and save taxpayer money.”

“Too many in our community have felt the devastation of wildfires firsthand,” said Congresswoman Kim. “Natural disasters don’t discriminate—they impact us all. I’m proud to work alongside Rep. Crow to help introduce this bipartisan, commonsense legislation that will strengthen local resiliency efforts and give communities the tools they need to prepare for and recover from weather emergencies.”

“Disasters like the flooding in Ruidoso and Salt and South Fork fires are the new normal, and New Mexicans know firsthand how wildfires, drought, and floods can devastate lives in an instant,” said Congressman Vasquez. “As the climate changes and becomes more extreme, our communities need better tools to fight back and protect working families. We must act now to ensure New Mexico is prepared for the future.”

“West Virginia families know all too well the devastation that flooding can bring to our homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The CLEAR Act will give our communities the support they need to better prepare for future disasters and recover more quickly,” said Congresswoman Miller. “By investing in resilience, we can protect lives, safeguard our communities, and ensure that West Virginians are not left to rebuild alone.”

This legislation is endorsed by the American Flood Coalition, Resilience Force, BlueGreen Alliance, and others. 

“Over the last decade, the Colorado Resiliency Office, most recently housed in the Department of Local Affairs, has been at the forefront, statewide and nationally, of advancing solutions to ensure that our communities can adapt and thrive in the midst of changing conditions. With the frequency and severity of natural disasters increasing risks to lives, property, and livelihoods, it is more crucial than ever to support the work of State Resiliency Offices to reduce risks and build strong communities. We are proud to join Representative Crow by endorsing the CLEAR Act, which will help us expand our impact in Colorado and advance this vital work in other states,” said Anne Miller, Colorado Resiliency Office Director, Department of Local Affairs.

“Supporting state leadership on resilience is essential to protecting communities across the country from the increasing threats of natural hazards. States are key to steering federal investment, driving watershed-scale planning, and providing much needed capacity and technical assistance to local leaders. AFCA is proud to support the bipartisan Championing Local Efforts to Advance Resilience (CLEAR) Act, as it would strengthen existing state resilience entities, while encouraging more states to take on this vital work. We commend Representatives Jason Crow (D-CO), Young Kim (R-CA), Gabe Vasquez (D-NM), and Carol Miller (R-WV) for leading this important policy that reflects the needs and experiences of state resilience leaders working on complex resilience challenges.” said Julie Seger, Government Relations & Policy Director, American Flood Coalition Action (AFCA).

“The CLEAR Act recognizes that training the resilience workforce is critical to preparing for climate change. We applaud Rep. Crow, and the co-sponsors for helping communities build resilience for the climate disasters that could come any day,” said Saket Soni, Executive Director of Resilience Force.

“Scorching temperatures, natural disasters, and insufficient FEMA resources are making our communities more dangerous to live in,” said Jason Walsh, Executive Director, BlueGreen Alliance. “The CLEAR Act will provide critical mitigation support that states need to protect communities and working families. Creating resilience offices today means people have the life saving help they need when it really counts.”

Since 1980, the U.S. has sustained over 400 weather and climate disasters that caused more than $2.9 trillion in damages to working families, small businesses, and local communities. Not only do extreme weather events create economic hardship, but they also affect public health, threaten our homeland security, damage our infrastructure, and negatively impact our farmers. 

Congressman Crow has long led the fight to protect our nation from the worst effects of climate change. He previously introduced the CLEAR Act during the 118th Congress and has also led the Guaranteeing Resilient Installations for Defense (GRID) Act to protect and strengthen military bases nationwide against changing environmental conditions. Crow helped vote into law the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act, which together represent the largest investment in climate resilience in our nation’s history.

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