MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

In letter to the Financial Oversight and Management Board, lawmakers call for increased public investment, pension protections, and capped tuition costs amid growing student protests

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

This week, during National Police Week, House Republicans passed several bills aimed at supporting law enforcement officers nationwide, ending soft-on-crime policies, and keeping violent criminals out of America’s communities. After supporting each bill on the House floor, Congressman Rick W. Allen (GA-12) issued the following statement:

“We cannot have freedom without safety, and we cannot have safety without the men and women willing to defend it. Every shift, every call, every sacrifice matters. Georgia’s 12th District felt this ultimate sacrifice firsthand when one of our own—Deputy Brandon Sikes of Columbia County—lost his life in the line of duty last April. We will never forget Deputy Sikes’ extraordinary service.

“During this National Police Week and always, I am proud to stand with the upstanding men and women of our nation’s law enforcement, not just in the 12th District, but across the country. These heroes put the safety of others before their own, and for that, we must always honor their courage. To those who answer the call and keep our communities safe: we salute you.”

• H. Con. Res. 96: Expresses congressional support for the brave men and women in law enforcement who risk their lives to uphold our rule of law and keep Americans safe, recognizes their extraordinary sacrifice, and acknowledges their many contributions to our communities.
• H.R. 6260, the Keeping Violent Offenders Off Our Streets Act: Amends the federal criminal statute dealing with insurance-related crimes to include corporate, for-profit, and non-profit entities that post bail for defendants, subjecting charitable bail funds to federal insurance fraud laws and state licensing requirements, and requiring their employees to pass criminal background checks.
• H.R. 5625, the Cashless Bail Reporting Act:Requires the Attorney General to publish a list of state and local governments that implement reckless bail “reform” policies allowing people who have been accused of certain violent crimes to be released pending trial on personal recognizance or upon execution of an unsecured appearance bond.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries issued the following statement after Congressman Steve Cohen announced he would not seek another term in the House of Representatives:

Congressman Steve Cohen’s life has been defined by the work he has done on a local, state and national level on behalf of the people he has been privileged to represent for decades. After contracting polio at just five years old, Steve developed a unique persistence and determination that would accompany him throughout his career in public service. A proud son of Memphis, Steve served on the Shelby County Commission and later in the State Senate for 24 years. 

Over nearly two decades in the House of Representatives, Steve has consistently stood up for the health, safety and economic well-being of children and families, fighting to lower costs, improve the quality and affordability of higher education, strengthen our transportation infrastructure and increase access to healthcare. The first Jewish person elected to represent Tennessee in the Congress, Steve has been a powerful champion for civil rights, leading passage of a resolution issuing the first formal apology for slavery in the U.S. As the Chair of the Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Steve led hearings on the Voting Rights Act, police reform and racial justice, reaffirming his commitment to making true America’s promise of equality and justice for all.

The City of Memphis, the Congress and the nation are better because of Steve’s commitment to making a difference. He will be deeply missed by the House Democratic Caucus family in the next Congress, and we all wish him the very best in this next chapter.

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Congressmen Ted W. Lieu (CA-36) and Sean Casten (IL-06) and 53 House Democrats to urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to pursue suspected insider trading on prediction market platforms more aggressively.

Online prediction markets allow individuals to gamble on the outcomes of a wide variety of real-life events, including sports games, election outcomes, daily stock and commodity price changes, whether certain legislation being considered by Congress will be signed into law, and even geopolitical events such as the likelihood of the United States taking military action against another country or the outcome of diplomatic negotiations. 

The lawmakers cautioned that: “Trading on confidential, non-public information is illegal in traditional financial markets when it involves fraud, deception, or breach of duty. Failure to enforce these laws in the context of prediction markets risks creating a regulatory gap that rewards bad actors, incentivizes misconduct, and undermines confidence in the integrity of U.S. markets.”

They closed by urging DOJ action: “We therefore urge the DOJ to continue to take decisive action against individuals who exploit prediction markets using nonpublic information for personal gain, and to rigorously enforce corporate compliance by ensuring that platforms implement effective safeguards to detect and prevent illegal activity.”

Dear Acting Attorney General Blanche:

We write to express serious concerns about potential insider trading on prediction market platforms. Federal anti-fraud and market manipulation laws apply to these platforms, just as they do to traditional financial markets. We urge the Department of Justice (DOJ) to further prioritize criminal investigations and civil actions targeting abuses in prediction markets to protect U.S. financial markets, investors, and the public from fraudulent conduct.

Recent suspected violations implicate significant geopolitical, sporting, and cultural events and risk creating perverse incentives for persons with access to confidential or classified information. For example, one anonymous trader has made nearly $1 million from dozens of suspiciously timed and accurate bets on military actions the U.S. has taken against Iran. Another trader with the username “Magamyman” made more than $550,000 from placing bets that Iran’s Supreme Leader would be removed, just before his assassination. In addition, ahead of the Super Bowl LX halftime show, unusually large trades were placed on Polymarket and Kalshi predicting that Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin would perform before there was any public confirmation. One social media user estimated that these suspected insiders made up to $3 million across multiple platforms. Lastly, the Nobel Institute is investigating a bet placed by a newly-created account on Venezuelan opposition leader María Machado winning the Nobel Peace Prize hours before the announcement, resulting in a profit of more than $50,000.

Trading on confidential, non-public information is illegal in traditional financial markets when it involves fraud, deception, or breach of duty. Failure to enforce these laws in the context of prediction markets risks creating a regulatory gap that rewards bad actors, incentivizes misconduct, and undermines confidence in the integrity of U.S. markets.

The DOJ has pursued several insider trading cases, including in coordination with U.S. financial market regulators, and criminally prosecuted individuals under federal wire fraud statutes. These cases include charging a Coinbase employee for tipping off others with insider information in order to trade cryptocurrencies, prosecuting Biotech’s CEO for misleading investors and engaging in insider trading in connection with Covid-19 and HIV drugs, and bringing charges against individuals who participated in an alleged insider trading scheme involving cancer treatment companies. The DOJ is poised to play an important role in addressing insider trading on prediction markets platforms, while U.S. financial regulators continue to divert their resources towards litigating against states and leave these abuses largely unaddressed.  

U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton has stated that just “because it’s a prediction market, [it] doesn’t insulate you from fraud.” We appreciate that the DOJ recently took action against a U.S. soldier for allegedly using classified information to make profitable prediction market bets related to the U.S. mission that captured Venezuela’s leader.

At the same time, reports that the DOJ dropped its criminal investigation into Polymarket in July 2025, regarding whether the platform had been illegally serving U.S. customers, raise concerns about consistency in enforcement. Polymarket had previously been banned from the U.S. for operating as an unregistered platform and paid a $1.4 million civil penalty under a 2022 settlement agreement. Taken together, these developments risk undermining confidence in the DOJ’s commitment to also holding companies accountable for breaking the law.

We understand that this Administration is increasingly focused on gains in the U.S. stock market. That performance depends on integrity and accountability. We therefore urge the DOJ to continue to take decisive action against individuals who exploit prediction markets using nonpublic information for personal gain, and to rigorously enforce corporate compliance by ensuring that platforms implement effective safeguards to detect and prevent illegal activity.

Sincerely,

Background:

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

This week the bipartisan U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act, introduced by Representatives Chris Pappas (NH-01), Gus Bilirakis (FL-12), Dina Titus (NV-01), and Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), co-chairs and vice co-chairs of the Hellenic Caucus, advanced out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee with strong, bipartisan support. This legislation would reauthorize International Military Education and Training (IMET) assistance to Greece for five years.

“Greece is an essential partner to the United States in ensuring regional security and prosperity. IMET assistance is a critical component of our bilateral relationship that strengthenscooperation, training, and interoperability between our Armed Forces,” said Congressman Pappas.“I’m glad my bipartisan legislation to reauthorize IMET for another five years advanced out of the Foreign Affairs Committee, and I will continue to push for its passage to strengthen cooperation with our ally, Greece, and to protect America’s security interests.”

“The United States and Greece share a strong and enduring partnership rooted in our shared commitment to democracy, security, and regional stability,” said Congressman Gus Bilirakis. “As co-chair of the Hellenic Caucus, I am proud to support and applaud the U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act passing out of the Foreign Affairs Committee. The bill would strengthen joint military cooperation and reinforce our alliance. Greece remains a reliable NATO ally and a key partner in the Eastern Mediterranean, and this legislation reaffirms our commitment to peace, security, and stability in the region.”

“The diplomatic relationship and defense partnership between the United States and Greece are too important to be overlooked. I am proud to join my Hellenic colleagues in supporting the US-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act to ensure regional security and economic prosperity in the Eastern Mediterranean. I look forward to voting for this legislation when it comes to the House floor,” said Congresswoman Titus. 

“As Vice Co-Chair of the Congressional Hellenic Caucus, I am proud to see the U.S.-Greece Defense Cooperation Advancement Act advance out of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. This important step reaffirms our strong and enduring partnership with Greece, a critical partner in advancing security and stability in the Eastern Mediterranean,” said Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis. “Strengthening the U.S.-Greece defense cooperation is more important now than ever before. This legislation will help bolster Greece’s security capabilities, support regional deterrence, and advance our shared commitment to peace, security, and democratic values.”

This legislation is endorsed by the American Hellenic Institute (AHI), AHEPA, and the Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC).

Background: 

Congress has recognized the significance of expanding U.S. cooperation with Greece through the Eastern Mediterranean Security and Energy Partnership Act and the United States-Greece Defense and Interparliamentary Partnership Act, which was signed into law as part of the FY2022 NDAA. The USGDIP recognized that Greece, a key NATO ally, is a pillar of stability in the Eastern Mediterranean and that the United States should remain committed to supporting the region’s security and prosperity through cooperation with Greece.

IMET appropriations for Greece help meet the increased need for education and training of the Greek Armed Forces. The funds facilitate the establishment of contacts between American and Greek officers, optimizing cooperation and interoperability between the Armed Forces of the two countries. The strategic importance of Greece at NATO’s Eastern and Southern flanks has been more reflected in recent years, including the war in Ukraine, between Israel and Hamas following the October 7th attacks, and U.S. military operations in Iran.

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

Harder’s amendment creates new joint-agency task force led by DOJ focused solely on mail theft

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced that his amendment to prosecute more mail theft passed the U.S. House Appropriations Committee last night after Harder pushed to include the provision during budget negotiations. Harder’s amendment, which received unanimous support in committee and now advances to the House floor, creates a new joint-agency task force led by the Department of Justice focused solely on combating mail theft.

Stockton is at the center of a national mail theft epidemic:

• Nationwide, reports of mail theft have increased 139% since the pandemic, with check fraud stemming from mail theft causing over $20 billion in losses in 2023.
• Mail theft is hitting Stockton the hardest – hundreds of mailboxes have been broken into and destroyed, dozens of master keys have been stolen, and thousands of dollars in stolen mail and packages have been swiped.
• Mail theft is more than just an inconvenience – this crime just feet from families’ front doors leads to identity fraud, destroyed credit, and repeated victimization especially after master keys are stolen.

“Mail theft in Stockton is out of control, and our families deserve justice through tougher penalties and stronger enforcement,” said Rep. Harder. “That’s why I pushed to pass my amendment to bring the full weight of the federal government down on these criminals. No one in our community should have to be afraid to check for their mail, and I’m going to continue fighting to end this crisis in our neighborhoods.”

Harder is leading efforts to crack down on rising mail theft:

• More Prosecution – Harder’s amendment creates a Mail Theft and Fraud Task Force led by the Department of Justice focused solely on combating mail theft and putting more criminals behind bars.
• Postal Oversight – Harder is demanding stronger oversight of postal services by calling for an independent audit through the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General. 

In December, Harder’s calls for action from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) led to multiple arrests in the Valley and the recovery of hundreds of pieces of stolen mail. Harder has also been calling for the USPIS anti-mail theft initiative, Project Safe Delivery, to be expanded to Stockton, especially new high-tech electronic locks on cluster mailboxes.

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

COPS funding has supported hiring for 140,000 officers nationwide, dozens across the Valley

Hiring program has not been fully authorized since 2009

WASHINGTON – Today, during National Police Week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new legislation to restore federal funding for law enforcement hiring grants to their original level, fully funding the program that has hired thousands of officers across the country. Led with Rep. John Rutherford (FL-05), the COPS Reauthorization Act restores more than $1 billion in federal funding annually through 2030 for officer hiring, training, and deployment to local departments. 

Federal funding for hiring local law enforcement has been at risk for years:

• Administered by the Department of Justice, the (Community Oriented Policing Services) COPS program is the number one federal tool for helping local departments hire law enforcement officers, including 140,000 nationwide and dozens across the Valley since the program’s founding.
• But since 2009, the COPS program has not been fully funded, causing annual grants to constantly be at risk of disruption during federal budget fights.
• Without reauthorization, this critical program risks losing the sustained federal support needed to ensure law enforcement agencies can continue protecting communities and responding to emerging public safety needs.

“Keeping Valley families safe depends on local departments having enough staff – full stop – that’s why fully funding federal hiring programs is so important,” said Rep. Harder. “Local law enforcement put their lives on the line every single day, and we have a responsibility to have their backs. This bill delivers on that promise by restoring funding for hiring more officers, expanding proven strategies that reduce crime, and finally getting politics out of public safety.” 

How the COPS Reauthorization Act delivers on our public safety mission:

• Fewer Officer Shortages – Helps law enforcement agencies recruit and retain officers amid nationwide workforce challenges.
• Crime Reduction – Expands proven community policing strategies that reduce crime and improve public trust.
• Cutting Red Tape – Establishes the COPS Office as a standalone entity strengthening program management and federal support.

How COPS grants impact local Valley departments:

“The Federal COPS Hiring Program has been instrumental in strengthening our department’s ability to serve and protect our community,” said Manteca Police Chief Stephen Schluer. “Thanks to this grant funding, we were able to hire five additional police officers, increasing our patrol capacity, improving response times, and enhancing public safety efforts across the city. Reinstating and continuing support for the COPS grant is critical for agencies like ours that are working to meet growing public safety demands while maintaining strong community policing initiatives.”

“The $375,000 federal COPS award in 2020 made a profound impact on our department and our community. With these resources, we were able to hire additional officers, expand our outreach efforts, and enhance public safety for everyone in Tracy,” said Tracy Police Chief Sekou Millington. “This federal support not only helped us strengthen our workforce but also allowed us to build stronger relationships with the people we serve. The COPS program truly empowers local agencies to deliver responsive, community-focused policing, and we are grateful for the opportunity that this funding has provided.”

The COPS Reauthorization Act is endorsed by the Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, Federal Law Enforcement Officers Organization, NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association, Association of State Criminal Investigative Agencies, National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition, Major County Sheriffs of America, and National Sheriffs’ Association.

“As a lifelong law enforcement officer and former sheriff, I have seen firsthand the importance of investing in our state and local law enforcement agencies,” said Rep. Rutherford. “The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) at the Department of Justice is the only program at the agency solely dedicated to the recruitment and retention of officers. The COPS Hiring Program has played a key role in supporting our crime fighters nationwide. In just the last year, the COPS Office awarded 228 state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies grants to support the hiring of 1,155 full-time officers and deputies. I support the reauthorization of this program to continue boosting policing capacity and enhancing community safety.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Sanford D Bishop Jr (GA-02)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-02), a senior member of the U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, supported the passage of H.R. 8469, the Fiscal Year 2027 funding bill for Military Construction and Veterans Affairs. He supported the bill during its consideration by the subcommittee and full committee earlier this year.

“Today’s funding bill is a crucial investment in the people and facilities that are vital to our national defense. Quality of life is fundamental to our military readiness. I was glad to work together with Democrats and Republicans to make this investment in our military families and veterans who earn our support through their service and sacrifice,” said Congressman Bishop.

Highlights of the Fiscal Year 2027 Military Construction & Veterans Affairs funding bill include:

• $665 million in additional funding for child development centers, barracks, demolition, installation resilience, and other unfunded requirements which directly touches quality of life and readiness.
• Veterans medical care is funded at $121 billion, which is $6.5 billion above what was enacted for Fiscal Year 2026. Also included are increases for women veterans’ care, suicide prevention and treatment, substance use disorder programs, and rural health.
• $53.7 billion in advance funding for the Fiscal Year 2028 Toxic Exposures Fund.
• Congressional control and transparency provisions to improve VA efficiency and accountability.
• Continued push for and funding Electronic Health Record Modernization, but with quarterly reporting requirements to ensure better progress towards demonstrated implementation and patient-safety performance. 

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (FL-26), the Vice Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriations and member of the Defense Subcommittee on Appropriations, issued the following statement after the passage of the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs funding bill for fiscal year 2027: 

“I’m proud to have voted in favor of this legislation, which delivers for the brave men and women who have selflessly served our country as well as the families who support them. I’m also thrilled that I secured language in the bill standardizing proven software VA-wide, which gives veterans in Collier and Miami-Dade counties access to faster care, less paperwork, and systems that actually work. Supporting our veterans remains a top priority for me, and I will continue to ensure they receive the care and resources they deserve.

I commend Chairman Tom Cole and Subcommittee Chairman John Carter for getting this first funding bill approved by the House and look forward to continuing to support more of these bills that prioritize our country and Americans.”

HIGHLIGHTS – MILITARY CONSTRUCTION, VETERANS AFFAIRS, AND RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2027 

The Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $157 billion, which is nearly $4 billion (3%) above the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted level. The bill reflects priorities of the America First agenda by including critical investments in military infrastructure that support readiness and the military families that utilize them. In addition, the bill provides $323.9 billion for mandatory programs, for a total of $469.49 billion in overall funding for Fiscal Year 2027. 

Champions our veterans by: 

• Fully funding veterans’ health care programs. o Fully funding veterans’ benefits. 
• Maintaining funding for research, mental health programs, and other programs relied upon by veterans. 
• Investing over $2 billion in capital improvements for VA Medical Facilities and four national cemeteries. 

Supports the Trump Administration and the mandate of the American people by: 

• Protecting the 2nd Amendment rights of veterans by preventing the VA from sending information to the FBI about veterans without a judge’s consent. 
• Fully funding the Community Care account, which empowers veterans to seek specialty care to meet their unique needs. 
• Supporting the Trump Administration’s efforts in improving mental health and suicide prevention among veterans. 

Bolsters U.S. national security and border protections by: 

• Providing robust funding for military construction, enabling continued investment in the Indo-Pacific region and infrastructure necessary to support United States advanced weapons systems. 
• Maintaining the prohibitions on the closure of Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and the use of military construction funds to build facilities for detainees on U.S. soil. 
• Prohibiting the VA from purchasing resources directly or indirectly from Communist China. 

Department of Defense (Military Construction and Family Housing) 

• $90 million in additional funding for design of barracks and child development centers vital for the quality of life for servicemembers and their families to address barrack deficiencies identified by the Government Accountability Office. 
• $60 million above the enacted level for the demolition of excess and obsolete infrastructure, saving taxpayers money and lowering long-term facility maintenance costs at DoD. 
• Continues robust prior year funding of the INDOPACOM minor military construction pilot program. 
• $50 million in additional funding for oversight of privatized family housing and continued robust investments in DoD family housing. 

Department of Veterans Affairs 

• Fully funds veterans’ medical care at $138.2 billion, which is equal to the FY27 Budget Request. 
• Fully funds veterans’ benefits and toxic exposure-related needs for FY27. $54.6 billion for the Toxic Exposures Fund (TEF). 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), along with Rep. Jim Baird (R-IN),  introduced the bipartisan Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026, legislation to extend and strengthen the Economic Development Administration’s (EDA) successful Build to Scale program through fiscal year 2030. The bill helps startups grow, strengthens regional innovation hubs, and creates good-paying jobs across Michigan and the country.

Since 2014, the EDA’s Build to Scale program has invested $272 million in 426 projects nationwide, supporting more than 58,600 jobs and 6,200 startups. In Michigan, the program has helped fuel entrepreneurship and advanced manufacturing in communities from Detroit and Ann Arbor to Traverse City to the Upper Peninsula.

“Michigan has proven that when we invest in innovation, manufacturing, and entrepreneurship, we create good-paying jobs and make our economy more competitive,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “The Build to Scale program has helped communities across our state, from Detroit to Traverse City to the Upper Peninsula, grow startups, attract investment, and turn ideas into real products and technologies. This legislation builds on that success by making sure even more communities, especially historically underserved and economically distressed regions, have a chance to be part of the innovation economy.”

“Innovation is the driver of economic growth,” said Congressman Baird. “When entrepreneurs are given the tools to thrive, society benefits from new technologies and inventions. The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 supports technology-based economic development and new opportunities for innovation, especially in rural communities. This legislation also boosts coordination between the Economic Development Administration and the National Science Foundation to avoid duplicative work and optimize influence. I thank Rep. Stevens for her work with me on this vital issue to help ensure America continues to lead the world in innovation.”

The Build to Scale Reauthorization Act of 2026 would:

• Reauthorize the Build to Scale program through 2030;
• Expand access to capital for entrepreneurs and startups;
• Increase outreach to rural, trade-impacted, and economically distressed communities;
• Reduce barriers to participation through cost-share waivers for distressed communities;
• Strengthen coordination with federal innovation initiatives, including National Science Foundation programs and Regional Tech Hubs.

The legislation builds on Congresswoman Haley Stevens’ strong record on manufacturing and innovation. Stevens has visited nearly 200 manufacturers across Michigan, pushed to strengthen domestic supply chains and advanced manufacturing, and led efforts in Congress to support workforce development and entrepreneurship. She previously introduced legislation to reauthorize the Build to Scale program during the 116th Congress, continuing her work to grow startups and expand regional innovation economies.

Michigan organizations that have received Build to Scale funding include TechTown Detroit, Automation Alley, Ann Arbor SPARK, 20Fathoms, Lawrence Technological University, Michigan Technological University, Battle Creek Unlimited, and the University of Michigan.

The legislation is backed by the Detroit Regional Chamber, MichAuto, Automation Alley, Wayne State University, State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI), Association of Public and Land-grant Universities, Information Technology and Innovation Foundation (ITIF), Ben Franklin Technology Partners, and more than 60 economic development organizations nationwide.

“The State Science and Technology Institute (SSTI) applauds Representatives Stevens and Baird for introducing this bill to reauthorize one of the most important federal funding programs intended to support locally designed, public-private initiatives addressing private innovation asset gaps. Build to Scale helps Americans all across the country move new products, technologies, and medical inventions to market faster,” said Mark Skinner, President & CEO of SSTI. “The program allows any U.S. region to make its local companies more competitive at a time when global pressures demonstrate that we need that most urgently and in turn, those innovative startups and manufacturers create critical high-wage job opportunities in communities big, medium, and small; rural, suburban, and urban. Our nation’s regional innovation economy benefits greatly from Representatives Stevens’ and Baird’s leadership.”

“By leveraging the EDA’s Build to Scale framework, TechTown Detroit and Wayne State University have transformed a $400,000 federal investment into a powerful engine projected to unlock $34.7 million in private capital. This strategic initiative has fundamentally reshaped the regional ecosystem by training 200 new angel investors through the Catalyst Angel Program, ensuring that emerging tech startups have the access to capital and mentorship required to scale,” said Ezemernari Obasi, Ph.D., Vice President of Research & Innovation for Wayne State University. “Ultimately, this high-leverage model serves as a replicable blueprint for urban innovation, strengthening Detroit’s economic resilience while establishing a sustainable pipeline for high-growth entrepreneurship.”

“The Build to Scale program has been instrumental in expanding access to capital for early-stage technology companies across Pennsylvania,” said Ryan Glenn, Director of Statewide Initiatives, Ben Franklin Technology Partners. “Through our EDA-supported investments, we’ve accelerated company growth and supported entrepreneurs in underserved regions. We appreciate Representatives Haley Stevens and Jim Baird for leading the effort to reauthorize this important program.”

The legislation is also cosponsored by Reps. Wesley Bell (D-MO), Mark Alford (R-TX), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR).

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