MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) today criticized President Donald Trump for derailing a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security and deploying ICE agents to airport security checkpoints, as delays and TSA staffing shortages continue to strain airports nationwide.

“Trump just blew up a bipartisan deal to end this TSA nightmare because he wants to force through a voter suppression bill,” said Congressman Sherman. “Let that sink in.”

Sherman warned that, in the absence of proper TSA staffing and funding, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel have been deployed into airport roles for which they are not trained — leading to confusion and operational disruptions rather than improved security.

“Instead of paying TSA workers, the administration is sending ICE into airports who aren’t trained for aviation security and are already causing confusion and disruption, not solving the problem,” Sherman said.

The Congressman further accused Trump of holding TSA workers’ paychecks hostage in an effort to advance the SAVE Act — legislation Sherman voted against and says would make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to vote: “He’s wreaking havoc across airports and putting aviation security at risk, all to pass legislation that would restrict access to the ballot box.”

In response, Sherman announced that he has requested his own congressional salary be withheld until TSA workers receive their pay.

“Members of Congress should live by the same rules as the people we represent,” Sherman said. “If TSA workers aren’t getting paid, neither should we.”

Sherman called on Trump to reverse course immediately.

“Stop standing in the way. Fund TSA. Get ICE out of airports. End this now.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Last week, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy applauding the Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of AVs across America. 

The letter follows NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum. At the forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, the need for a federal AV framework, and plans for updated AV guidance. This builds on prior Administration action and leadership in automated driving systems. 

In his letter, Congressman Latta underscored how AVs can usher in a new era of safety; the need for a federal AV framework; and the stakes of competition with China. 

“The Administration has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in safety advancing AV technology. I commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Morrison for their ongoing efforts to promote this life-saving technology. That said, executive action alone falls short. Congress must act now to ensure durable statutory clarity. This is why I introduced the SELF DRIVE Act, which prioritizes safety, a single federal AV standard, and American competitiveness. If America fails to deliver clear rules, Communist China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that must remain in America,” said Latta.

Background: 

Congressman Latta has been working on autonomous vehicle legislation since 2017. During the 115th Congress, his SELF DRIVE Act  passed the House, making it the first Congressional proposal to address autonomous vehicle technology. 

Latta introduced the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 on February 5, 2026. The bill would strengthen safety requirements, clarify NHTSA’s authority, improve crash data transparency, and promote U.S. leadership in autonomous vehicles innovation. Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced the bill. 

Congressman Latta is the co-chair of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus; a bipartisan caucus aimed at educating Congress on how autonomous vehicle technology can improve the safety and accessibility of the nation’s roads. 

Read the full letter here and below: 

Dear Secretary Duffy:  

I write to applaud the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Administration’s recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) in the United States. Most recently, at NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, emphasized the need for a single federal vehicle safety standard, and announced plans for updated AV guidance later this year. This forum builds on the Administration’s broader record of AV leadership. It follows the AV Framework unveiled last spring, the streamlining of the Part 555 exemption process, and the issuance of the first-ever demonstration exemption for American-made AVs. 

Safety is at the core of this transformative technology. Nearly 40,000 Americans die on our roads each year, and 94% of crashes are linked to human error. AVs can drastically reduce fatalities caused by distraction, impairment, and fatigue, but to realize that promise, we need clear national rules that prioritize safety and enable responsible deployment. These systems are safe, and we have the data to prove it. Waymo reports over 127 million autonomous miles and substantially lower rates of injury-causing crashes than human drivers, including 85 percent fewer serious injury crashes and 92 percent fewer pedestrian injury crashes. 

The forum also reinforced the need for one federal AV framework. More than 35 states have enacted AV laws, resulting in a patchwork that slows deployment and makes it harder for American companies to invest with confidence. The federal government has always overseen the design, construction, and performance of vehicles, and should continue to do so for AVs. As Administrator Morrison argued, “We want to ensure that as AVs cross state lines, the rules remain clear.” 

When unveiling the Administration’s AV Framework, you warned that “we’re in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.” The United States cannot afford to lose this race. Baidu has already completed over 17 million rides, and Beijing has mandatory AV standards that take effect this year. If America fails to deliver clear national rules, China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that should have remained in America.  

The AV Safety Forum made clear that the Administration understands the stakes. I appreciate the continued AV leadership NHTSA, the Department, and the Administration have shown. Congress should build on this progress with durable statutory clarity that prioritize safety, a federal standard, and American competitiveness. I look forward to working with you and Administrator Morrison as we advance a responsible federal AV framework.  

Thank you for your continued engagement on this issue.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees, issued the following statement on President Trump deploying ICE agents to airports:

“Deploying ICE agents to airports is not making travelers safer or addressing long security lines, just like their presence in our cities does not make us safer. Instead, this unprecedented action is making people afraid to go to the airport, and causing confusion and violence, like the incident in San Francisco last night. This is exactly what Trump wants. If Trump were serious about addressing long lines at airports, he would support Democratic legislation to fund TSA. Instead, Republicans keep blocking it because they are trying to strong-arm Congress into sending billions more to ICE and CBP, and pass voter suppression legislation. 

“Trump needs to call off his thugs and fund TSA. As a Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees, I will work closely with my colleagues to fight back against this abuse of power, and to ensure travelers know their rights.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding that the Department of Justice implement a new process allowing Congress to meaningfully review the unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The Department’s current review system violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and has effectively blocked Congress from conducting meaningful oversight of the files.

“Under your leadership, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to cover up for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s co-conspirators and enablers. You are clearly violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and obstructing Congress’s oversight of your production of the Epstein files. It is now time for a complete reset and a new process aimed at complying with this law, instead of thwarting it, and providing survivors and the American people with the transparency, accountability, and justice to which we are all entitled,” wrote the Members.

Under the EFTA, DOJ was required to release all records related to Epstein subject only to narrow exceptions protecting survivors’ identities, classified information, and active investigations. Instead, DOJ has withheld roughly three million pages of documents and redacted hundreds of thousands more based on privileges Congress expressly rejected in the law.

Journalists, survivors, and members of the public have also continued to identify additional documents that appear to have been improperly withheld or redacted. Survivors reviewing the files have reported that witness interview records known as FD-302s—including documents describing allegations against Epstein’s co-conspirators—appear to be missing from the released materials.

DOJ’s current process for congressional review makes meaningful oversight impossible. Members are only allowed to review documents on four DOJ computers located at a satellite office that is open only during business hours. At that pace, it would take more than seven years for Members to review even the limited set of files DOJ has made available.

The DOJ has further restricted oversight by prohibiting Members from taking notes on their own materials, barring congressional staff from assisting with document review, and monitoring Members’ searches and activities while they review the files.

To remedy these failures, the Members call on DOJ to immediately implement a new review process that would provide Congress full access to the Epstein files, ensure documents available to Members are fully unredacted, establish secure review access on Capitol grounds, allow designated congressional staff to assist with oversight, and end any monitoring of Members’ searches or notes.

The Members demanded that DOJ promptly confirm whether it will adopt these reforms and comply with the transparency requirements Congress enacted into law.

Click here to read the letter.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

Washington, D.C. — Last week, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, and Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, penned a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz underscoring the importance of seasonal employees and requesting an update on the agency’s plan to make sure it’s adequately equipped for fire season and summer recreation. 

The lawmakers’ letter points to the mass terminations and hiring freezes enacted under President Trump last year. Forest Service employees said these losses crippled the agency’s federal firefighting and land management capabilities. Neguse and Huffman previously demanded that firefighters and essential seasonal workers be exempt from these attacks, but administration officials disregarded their calls, with as many as 1,400 “red card” holders leaving the agency in 2025 — a dramatic reduction in the number of wildfire-certified personnel. 

Now, as nearly half of the United States is experiencing drought heading into drier, warmer months, western communities are already bracing for a high-risk wildfire season. Neguse and Huffman are seeking answers on the USFS’s plan to protect public lands and the American people.

Read the full letter HERE and below: 

March 18, 2026

The Honorable Tom Schultz

Chief

U.S. Forest Service

Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Chief Schultz,

We write to request additional information about the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) plans to hire seasonal employees for 2026. As you know, your agency disclosed during our January 21st Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing that the USFS is planning to hire seasonal workers this year, and further, committed on February 12th to hiring 2,000 seasonals. We write to request additional information about this hiring process. 

As you know, seasonal employees play a critical role in the maintenance and stewardship of some of our most treasured public lands and national forests. Each year, more than 130 million people visit our national forests to enjoy the recreational, educational, and cultural benefits they offer, with a significant influx in the summer months. For decades, seasonal employees have been instrumental in trail and recreation site management, conserving forests, protecting wildlife, water, and cultural resources, providing visitor services, and fighting wildland fires during peak visitor season. 

With the exception of fire-related positions, the USFS did not hire seasonal staff in 2025 due to budget constraints. The USFS has additionally lost more than a quarter of its full-time staff over the last year, which made the lack of seasonal staff particularly acute in 2025. The USFS’s recent Trail Program Status Report found that trail maintenance is at its lowest level in 15 years due to the lack of seasonal staff.         

Please answer the following questions about the Forest Service’s plans to hire seasonal employees for 2026, specifically: 

• How many seasonal employees in each sector of the USFS, such as recreation or trail management, will be hired by June 1, 2026? 

• Do you plan to distribute the seasonal employees in a geographically equitable manner? Will forests or regions with the highest need for seasonal employees and additional staff be prioritized? 

• How many seasonal firefighters does USFS plan to hire for the 2026 season? How does USFS plan to ensure its wildland firefighting workforce is adequately staffed and supplied with the necessary equipment to address the upcoming fire season?

• Will USFS conduct outreach to inform potential applicants that the USFS will be hiring seasonals for this summer, given the hiring freeze last year?

Our national forests are some of our most treasured public lands, and it is absolutely crucial that we maintain and protect them for every American and for generations to come. We appreciate your agency’s commitment to hiring seasonal employees for 2026, and look forward to your prompt response. 

Sincerely,  

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12)

Today, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) visited the Bon Air Apartment Complex in Richmond County. Congressman Allen was joined by representatives from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and Redwood Housing for a walkthrough of the facility, including several renovated units and floors. After the visit, Congressman Allen issued the following statement:

“Over the last several years, members of my team and I have been in regular communication with HUD and Redwood—consistently demanding that substantial renovations be made at the Bon Air to ensure residents can enjoy a clean and safe living environment. After my visit today, I can confidently say that we have achieved that goal.

“Units and common areas have been updated, security measures are now in place, elevators have been repaired, property management is conducting routine meetings with tenants and representatives from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Department, and much more. This has been a long process, and at times challenging, but one thing has been clear from the beginning: we were not taking no for an answer. I am hopeful that with continued communication and accountability, the Bon Air Apartments will remain a modern, safe, and enjoyable atmosphere for all residents and visitors and a place of pride for the surrounding community.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) traveled on Air Force One and welcomed President Donald Trump to Memphis. While in Memphis, President Trump met with law enforcement to discuss the Memphis Safe Task Force’s efforts to reduce violent crime in Shelby County. Congressman Kustoff issued the following statement: 

“I am proud to welcome President Trump to Memphis as he highlights the results of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Thanks to the President’s leadership, Memphis is seeing a reduction in violent crime,” said Rep. Kustoff. “People in Memphis and Shelby County deserve to feel safe in their neighborhoods, and the Memphis Safe Task Force shows what is possible when federal, state, and local law enforcement work together. I will continue to lead and support efforts with the President to make Memphis safer.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Announces $7.56 Million USDA Loan Guarantee for Martinsville Sawmill Project

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) announced he secured significant federal funding for a series of public projects in Santa Barbara County. Projects include improvements to local infrastructure, emergency response services, and criminal justice programs.  

“Delivering these federal investments is about strengthening the public resources that Santa Barbara County residents rely on every day,” said Rep. Carbajal. “From safer roads and modernized emergency response facilities to compassionate animal care and survivor‑centered support services, this funding will strengthen the essential services and shared spaces that make Santa Barbara County a healthier, safer, and more connected place to live.”

The Santa Barbara County Association of Governments has been awarded $1,500,000 to fund the Cabrillo Project. The Cabrillo Project will replace two railroad bridges and improve the U.S. 101 highway underpass in the City of Santa Barbara and as a result improve safety for a number of users that travel through this area to access destinations along the Santa Barbara waterfront while providing a key connection across U.S. 101. The Project will replace bridges at two locations: Cabrillo Boulevard and at Los Patos Way, each of which are over 100-years old and have exceeded their design life. At Cabrillo Boulevard, the existing 29’ span will be widened and lengthened.

“Congressman Carbajal’s support helps keep the City of Santa Barbara’s Cabrillo project on track as construction begins on the final segment of Highway 101 Carpinteria to Santa Barbara corridor,” said SBCAG Executive Director Marjie KIRN. “Improvements at Cabrillo are what will allow residents and visitors to safely and efficiently access the waterfront and surrounding neighborhoods—delivering the full benefit of the highway investments to the public.”

The City of Santa Maria has been awarded $1,200,000 to expand the space at the downtown fire station to accommodate a third fire vehicle and associated fire personnel. The downtown station was built in 2002, at the time serving a population of 79,000. Since then, the population of Santa Maria has grown almost 40 percent to approximately 110,000. The City of Santa Maria anticipates the population to grow by another 30 percent, or an additional 34,000 people by 2050.

“On behalf of the City of Santa Maria and our 110,000 residents, I want to extend our deepest thanks to Representative Carbajal for securing $1.2 million for the Fire Station 1 Expansion Project. This funding brings us significantly closer to completing a project that will strengthen emergency response in our downtown core and serve our community for the next 25 years. We appreciate that we have such a dedicated partner in Washington,” said Santa Maria Mayor Alice Patino. 

“We are incredibly grateful to Representative Carbajal for securing $1.2 million for the expansion of Fire Station 1. This funding is a critical investment in the safety of our community. Station 1 is our busiest station, and this project will allow us to house a third fire vehicle and additional personnel needed to serve Santa Maria’s growing population. Representative Carbajal’s commitment to our city is making a real difference,” said Fire Chief Bradley J. Dandridge.

Santa Barbara County has been awarded $850,000 for the rebuilding of the Lompoc Animal Shelter. The shelter needs facility improvements in order to continue to supply the community with quality Animal Services support, and to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the animals in the region.

“This $850,000 secured by Congressman Carabajal is transformational for our shelter. Modernized kennels mean healthier, less stressed animals, improved conditions for our staff and volunteers, and a facility that truly reflects the compassion of the Lompoc community. From families in Lompoc to the service members at Vandenberg Space Force Base, so many people rely on the work of the shelter — and now we have the resources to do it even better,” said Supervisor Joan Hartmann, Third District Santa Barbara County.

The City of Santa Barbara has been awarded $850,000 for the Eastside Library Improvements Project to upgrade interior spaces to better serve community members and to the two outdoor patios with outside reading spaces and play and sensory areas for children.

“The City of Santa Barbara greatly appreciates Congressman Carbajal’s advocacy to help fund a community asset as important as our Eastside Library. The improvements at that facility are critical as it is more than just a branch of our library system, but it is a highly-used educational facility and community meeting location. My colleagues and I use that location frequently for neighborhood gatherings and outreach, as well as community celebrations. The Congressman clearly recognizes the role that the Eastside Library plays in forming and maintaining the social fabric of the Santa Barbara community,” said Santa Barbara Mayor Randy Rowse. 

The City of Carpinteria has been awarded $850,000 to establish a community center. Carpinteria is currently the only incorporated city in Santa Barbara County that does not have a dedicated community center to host programming for senior citizens and other community groups.

“The City of Carpinteria is extremely grateful to Congressman Carbajal for helping bring this funding to Carpinteria. These funds will allow us to remain focused on critical infrastructure without sacrificing support for the programs and spaces that serve our residents,” said Michael Ramirez, City Manager for City of Carpinteria.

The Santa Barbara District Attorney has been awarded $236,375 to renovate commercial office space at 235 W. Pueblo Street. This construction project is designed to meet the current needs of the Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Program/Exam site and more adequately serve sexual assault survivors and child victims of crime in Santa Barbara County.

“The Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office is immensely grateful to Congressman Salud Carbajal for his advocacy in securing a $236,000 grant through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help complete our new Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) and Child Advocacy Center (CAC) site in Santa Barbara and update our SART/CAC with advanced forensic and recording technology enhancing the quality of our services and strengthening the pursuit of justice,” said Megan Rheinschild, Victim-Witness Assistance Program Director at the Santa Barbara County District Attorney’s Office.

The funding, which Carbajal championed over the course of the past year’s federal budget negotiations, was signed into law as part of the annual government appropriations process. 

In the spring of 2025, Rep. Carbajal began to push for funding for these projects through formal requests to the House Appropriations Committee for Fiscal Year 2026.

The funding was secured through the Community Project Funding (CPF) initiative first launched in 2022. Projects must be in the public interest, be good uses of taxpayer dollars, and be certified to not conflict with the representative’s personal financial interests. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, on the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, Representative Sharice Davids is once again calling on Congress to extend critical health care tax credits that have helped more than 160,000 Kansans afford coverage and save an average of $700 annually. Because Republican politicians refused to act, these enhanced tax credits have expired — driving up costs and putting affordable coverage out of reach for working families, seniors, and small business owners.

“Families are already feeling the squeeze from rising costs, and higher health care premiums are only making it harder to get by,” said Davids. “These tax credits made a real difference for Kansans, helping them afford doctor visits and prescriptions, and giving them peace of mind. On the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act, we should be building on that progress, not going backward. Congress needs to act to extend these savings and bring stability back to the health care marketplace.”

WATCH: Davids speaks on the necessity to overcome partisan gridlock and extend health care tax credit

The enhanced ACA tax credits previously helped lower costs for Kansans, but their expiration is now leading to steep premium increases. Some Kansans are facing dramatic spikes in their monthly costs:

• A Mission Woods resident saw premiums rise by more than $17,000 annually
• A Prairie Village resident saw premiums rise by more than 3,000 percent
• An Edwardsville resident saw premiums rise by more than $2,000 annually

Nationally, the lapse in these tax credits is projected to increase premiums by an average of 77 percent and could push millions of Americans off their health insurance. Health policy experts warn that as premiums rise, healthier individuals may drop coverage, leaving a smaller, higher-risk insurance pool—driving costs even higher for those who remain insured.

Davids has led efforts in Congress to strengthen these tax credits, voting to extend them through 2028. She has also pushed House leadership to take action, hosted events with Kansans impacted by rising costs, and consistently advocated for policies that lower health care expenses.