MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor during debate on House Concurrent Resolution 61, a War Powers Resolution he introduced that would end the Trump administration’s extrajudicial military strikes in the Western Hemisphere.

Full remarks as prepared:

“Since September 2, the administration has carried out 23 known strikes killing 95 people. 

“Among these was a so-called ‘double-tap’ strike, where U.S. forces killed two survivors clinging to the wreckage of a destroyed vessel in the open sea. The administration now refuses to release the video of this strike denying the American people the ability to see for themselves what is being done in their names. Many believe this strike may constitute a war crime.

“Following another strike, on October 16, the Department of Defense repatriated two survivors to their home countries rather than prosecuting them in U.S. courts, as we would expect if these individuals were, in fact, dangerous drug traffickers bound for the United States. No arrests. No interrogation. No intelligence collection. That decision raises serious questions about the administration’s own assessment of threat, necessity, and purpose.

“These strikes have not been authorized by Congress, and the administration has not sought Congressional authorization to use lethal military force to address alleged criminal activity that, under U.S. law, does not carry the death penalty. That is a profound escalation, and one Congress has neither debated nor approved.

“If this is truly about addressing drugs, the administration’s actions tell a very different story. Why did the president pardon Ross Ulbricht, who ran one of the largest online drug marketplaces in history, and was serving a double life sentence?

“Why did the president pardon the former President of Honduras, whom a U.S. court convicted and sentenced for flooding the U.S. with 400 tons of cocaine and bragged he would, quote, ‘shove the drugs right up the noses of the gringos.’

“I’m a former special narcotics prosecutor and I know this: you don’t run a serious counternarcotics strategy by carrying out the death penalty for those on the bottom of the drug trade while freeing those at the very top.

“At the same time, the administration asks us to believe that deploying fighter jets, an aircraft carrier, and more than 15,000 troops to the Caribbean is merely a counter-drug mission. This is the largest U.S. military buildup in the region since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

“If this was really about drugs, why are U.S. forces seizing oil tankers? The stated mission, the scale of the buildup, and the actions taken simply do not align. 

“The administration can’t keep its story straight and it is no longer trying to hide its real motivations. Senior officials, including President Trump himself, have made clear that the real objective is provoking a conflict with Venezuela to oust Maduro. As Trump’s Chief of Staff said to Vanity Fair, quote, ‘he wants to keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.’

“They’ve openly coveted Venezuela’s oil. And despite promising to end wars, this president is threatening military invasions not just in Venezuela, but across the Western Hemisphere.

“Just last night Trump declared, quote, ‘Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,’ and that the ‘shock’ will be like nothing they have ever seen.

“This is not strategy. This is a game. And the president is playing it with the lives of American service members, threatening a regime change war with no plan for what comes next.

“This president wants to be judge, jury, and executioner. But Congress is a co-equal branch, and the Constitution vests this body with authority over matters of war and peace. That power has too often been ceded. But earlier this month, on a bipartisan and bicameral basis, we repealed outdated Authorizations for Use of Military Force to prevent presidents of either party from abusing it. We cannot now abandon our constitutional duty over these strikes in the Western Hemisphere.

“Even if you disagree with me when I say these strikes are not about making Americans safer… That they’re about oil… That they’re about another reckless foreign war… Or stretching presidential power toward that of a king.

“This vote is ultimately not about whether you agree with the administration’s policy. It is about whether any president can take these actions without congressional approval. Congress must make clear that no president can unilaterally draw the U.S. into a conflict the American people do not want. 

“I urge my colleagues to reject the administration’s shifting legal rationales and vote yes on this War Powers Resolution. With that, I reserve the balance of my time.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today delivered the following remarks on the floor during debate on House Concurrent Resolution 64, a War Powers Resolution Rep. McGovern introduced to prohibit the Trump administration’s hostilities against Venezuela.

Full remarks as prepared:

“As I said earlier today on this floor, during the debate on my War Powers Resolution to end this administration’s extrajudicial strikes on boats in the Western Hemisphere, those bombings are not about drugs. If the administration did want to stop drugs, Trump would not have pardoned the former President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, or Ross Ulbricht, who operated the Silk Road drug marketplace. He wouldn’t be seizing an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela. Or threatening CIA operations, blockades, and ground strikes on Venezuela.

“It’s not about drugs, it’s about regime change, and it’s about oil. That’s not just me saying that. It’s Trump himself saying it. It’s President Trump’s Chief of Staff, Susie Wiles, who said Trump wants to, and I quote, “keep on blowing boats up until Maduro cries uncle.” And it relies on the magical thinking that military force can bring democracy in Venezuela or anywhere else.

“But his chief of staff also conceded, as any reasonable person with any knowledge of the constitution should, that if Trump, quote, “were to authorize some activity on land, then it’s war, then [we’d need] Congress.”

“On that, she’s right. Congress would need to pass an Authorization for the Use of Military Force if Trump wanted to put boots on the ground or conduct military strikes on Venezuela. And for that, Republicans in Congress would need to cast their vote on whether to commit U.S. armed forces to an open-ended conflict their constituents certainly do not want.

“Trump ran on ending forever wars, but now he’s forgotten what they are. What his own Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth characterized as, quote, “interventionism, undefined wars, regime change, and feckless nation building.” Yet with Venezuela, Trump is provoking a new war right in our backyard and threatening to destabilize an entire region.

“And let’s be clear…claiming a war with Venezuela will be quick and easy – that’s a fantasy. Maduro is by no means a good guy. He lost his last election and has violently repressed the Venezuelan people to stay in power against their democratic will. But to think that if the U.S. military just chases him out, then Venezuela’s military and armed groups around the country will welcome democracy with open arms is naive at best.

“This administration has no plan for the day after. It has no strategy. And if Members do not vote for Mr. McGovern’s War Powers Resolution, they are signing their name to everything that comes after: a forever war in our own hemisphere. A quagmire the likes of Vietnam, in a country twice the size of Iraq, for a length of time unknown.
How many billions of taxpayer dollars would be spent so Pete Hegseth can cosplay as a wartime general? How many U.S. servicemembers would make the ultimate sacrifice so Donald Trump could do in Latin America what Vladimir Putin does in Europe?

“The power over matters of war and peace is Congress’ most solemn duty, given in the Constitution of the United States. Votes like this are our most consequential, literally about life and death. And if history has taught us anything, wars are easy to start, but incredibly difficult to end. The choice you make on this vote will carry a long tail. What will the downstream effects be of destabilizing a country, an entire region? Anyone who tells you they know is lying.

“What we do know is the American people do not want this. That is unequivocal. Even President Trump’s supporters do not understand why he would do this. I ask you all again, listen to your constituents, and do not tie yourself to a warmongering decision that itself is a sinking ship.

“Thank you. I reserve the balance of my time.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE), a senior member of the Committee on Ways and Means, issued the following statement following House passage of H.R. 6703, the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans Act.

“Democrats broke America’s health insurance system with Obamacare, driving massive increases in health insurance premiums and out-of-pocket expenses for hardworking families. Their only solution is throwing unlimited taxpayer dollars at the problem, with no consideration for reform.”

“Americans deserve better. They deserve true reforms to the healthcare marketplace, driving competition, increasing transparency, and making healthcare more affordable and accessible. I am especially pleased today’s legislation includes language ensuring small employers can work together through association health plans to reduce risk and increase affordability, which is vital for Nebraska’s family-owned farms, ranches, and small businesses.

“While I am pleased with the progress we made today, much work remains to undo the damage from Obamacare and ensure Americans can afford the healthcare they deserve. I look forward to working with my colleagues and the administration to pursue further solutions in the coming year.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. – Today, Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi delivered remarks during a Special Order Hour hosted by the Congressional Ukraine Caucus on the House Floor reaffirming America’s unwavering commitment to the people of Ukraine as they continue to defend their democracy, sovereignty and right to live free from Russian aggression.

In her remarks, Pelosi underscored that Ukraine did not choose this war but has chosen courage in the face of Vladimir Putin’s brutal and unprovoked invasion.

Pelosi warned that abandoning Ukraine would not bring peace but would invite further aggression from Russia and from autocrats around the world watching closely to see whether the United States and its allies will stand by their word.

Watch Pelosi’s Floor remarks here.

Read the transcript of Speaker Emerita Pelosi’s Floor remarks below:

Speaker Emerita Pelosi. I salute Marcy Kaptur and the Ukraine Caucus for inviting Members to come together to raise concerns, to speak frankly about the need for strong sanctions on Russia, and to insist that any peace must be just, durable and centered on the Ukrainian people themselves.

Mr. Speaker, for nearly four years the people of Ukraine have stood on the front lines for freedom, defending their democracy, their sovereignty, their right to live in peace on their own land.

But in fighting for democracy there, they are fighting for democracy writ large.

Congresswoman Kaptur spoke beautifully, historically, geographically, chronologically in every way about placing this conflict in time and place.

I wanted to pick up on two parts of it in the time that I have.

One is this. In the conversation about peace, we hear people talk about Ukraine giving up land.

Now, what we’re saying to Ukraine is: Russia came in, stole your children, as Congresswoman Kaptur mentioned, tens of thousands of your children taking them into Russia. Imagine if that ever happened to your family.

Secondly, they rape the women. They raped the women. Sometimes in front of the children, sometimes in front of their parents.

I said to some Russian friends, ‘Isn’t it sad how the Russian troops have become brutes and are raping women as a weapon of war to demoralize the people of the country?’

And they said, ‘Make sure you understand one thing: Russian soldiers follow orders. They are doing that because that is what they are told to do.’

In addition to that, we’ve seen evidence of their killing families in front of family members in such a brutal way.

Kidnap our children, rape our women, destroy and kill our civilian families and ask us to give you land in return.

What a ridiculous, ridiculous request.

The other thing you hear sometimes people say in our country, ‘Well, why should we be spending all that money when in fact we have needs in our own country.’

I don’t think people realize that 90% of the security that we send to Ukraine is spent—of the 100%, 90% is spent in the United States creating jobs in our own country.

Secondly, there are other forms of assistance, humanitarian assistance—across the board.

At least 60% of all that we spend on Ukraine is spent in the United States of America creating jobs.

So again, Marcy spelled it out, and it’s no use—I mean, some things bear repeating, but she said it so beautifully.

But this is awful. And again, who do you trust? Who do you trust?

The Congresswoman spelled it out very clearly. The ridiculous notion that Ukraine should trust the Russians after the Budapest Agreement.

‘Give up your nuclear weapons, and we will come to your aid should you need that.’

Forget about it now. So, Ukraine has been treated with great disrespect. Its people have just been subjected to such horror.

They have fought valiantly. The least we could do is do the sanctions.

And what we should be doing in this House, which has overwhelming bipartisan support and support of the people of Ukraine, is to get some more people to sign the discharge petition.

So I thank you again, Congresswoman Kaptur, for your relentless, persistent, dissatisfied advocacy for Ukraine and the fact that we know, those who have visited there, that if Putin takes Ukraine, what country is next?

That’s what we hear, the fear we hear from people in the region.

Would you trust Putin? I think the only person who trusted Putin is President Trump.

I don’t know what that’s about. I know when I had a picture coming out of one of his cabinet meetings pointing to the President, I said, ‘I’m leaving this meeting because, Mr. President, with you all roads lead to Putin.’

This is awful. The richest man in the world they say, Putin is. A villainous person and somebody who uses rape, kidnaping, family killings in order to demoralize a country.

Well, you haven’t succeeded. And you are a loser because you thought you were going to win on the first week of this war, and now it’s four years later.

With that, I yield back the time to the distinguished Marcy Kaptur.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ed Case (Hawai‘i – District 1)

(Honolulu, HI) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (HI-01) today announced his 2026 nominations to four of our nation’s service academies: the U.S. Military Academy (West Point/Army); U.S. Naval Academy (Annapolis/Navy); U.S. Air Force Academy (Colorado Springs/Air Force) and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Kings Point).

“I take my responsibility to nominate deserving applicants from my district to our legendary service academies very seriously and personally interviewed most of my applicants before making my decisions,” said Case. “I was truly impressed with the applicants, and it was very encouraging and rewarding to have spent time with our next generation of military leaders.”

Case named the following nominees to the four service academies (principal nominee and the rest in alphabetical order by last name):

United States Air Force Academy

Principal nominee: Ryder Goto      Kalani High School

Kasyn Amazaki                              ‘Iolani School

Luke Barner                                    Radford High School

Kodai Eskin                                     Punahou School

John Ganske                                    New Mexico Military Institute/

Moanalua High School

Timothy Iha                                     Pearl City High School

Tuan Pettaway                                 Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Mililani High School

Christophe Tang                              Air Force Academy Preparatory School/ Campbell High School

Derrick Ung                                    ‘Aiea High School

United States Military Academy

Principal nominee: Anthony Dang  University Laboratory School

Jacob Blaze Cabuhat                      Punahou School

Liam Martin                                   Punahou School

Jazmine Mayo                               ‘Aiea High School

Malia McCoy                                 Punahou School

Hayden Noland                               Punahou School

Parker Noland                                 Punahou School

ChristopherJay Tenorio                  ‘Aiea High School

United States Naval Academy

Principal nominee: Alicya Robson  Naval Academy Preparatory School/

                                                         Campbell High School                                       

Liliana Burrell                                  Abeka Academy (home school)

Juliet Caston                                    Campbell High School

Adam Ettlich                                   Soli Deo Gloria Academy (home school)

Shota Eskin                                     Punahou School

Vanessa He                                      Hawaii Baptist Academy

Lyla Matthews                                 Radford High School

Charlotte Nakagawa                        Kamehameha Schools – Kapālama

Caleb Parsons                                  Moanalua High School

Ezekiel Schulz                                 Radford High School

Jia Qi Zhan                                      Naval Academy Preparatory School/ Roosevelt High School

United States Merchant Marine Academy

Elizabeth Gillaspie                          Maryknoll School

Parker Reppun                                 Punahou School

For the Class of 2026, Case selected 30 applicants from six private schools, eight public schools and two home schools.

Members of Congress are authorized by law to nominate candidates to four United States Service Academies: the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland; the Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado; the Military Academy at West Point, New York; and the Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York. The Coast Guard Academy at New London, Connecticut does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

A Congressional nomination does not guarantee acceptance, but in most cases is required for an applicant to be considered. Acceptance of an academy appointment requires at least a nine-year service obligation, including four years at an academy and at least five years of active duty service.

For information on eligibility requirements and how to seek an appointment for the 2027 entering class, please go to Rep. Case’s web site https://case.house.gov/services/service-academy-nominations.htm.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

The FEMA grant will provide San Bernardino County with over $9 million to hire new firefighters to improve fire response capabilities
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) announced $9,360,000 for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District to hire and train 21 new firefighters, helping to expand the region’s 24-hour on-call fire response coverage and improving safety in the Inland Empire. 
“As our region continues to face a worsening, year-round fire season, it is essential that we are equipped with the necessary amount of resources and firefighters to keep Californians safe,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “I am proud to announce this grant funding to hire 21 new firefighters for San Bernardino County who will be tasked with stopping fires before they get out of hand, responding to emergencies, and overall protecting our county. I’ll keep fighting to support our first responders in California and across the country to ensure that they have the ability to do their jobs fully.”
“This SAFER grant represents a meaningful investment in our fire district and the communities we protect,” said San Bernardino County Chairman of the Board Dawn Rowe. “With the addition of 21 new firefighters across the Fire Protection District, we will be able to enhance our 24-hour coverage, effectively addressing the increasing demands of one of the county’s fastest-growing regions.”
The funding comes as part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) Grant Program. The SAFER Grant Program provides funding directly to fire departments throughout the country to help them increase or maintain the number of trained, frontline firefighters available in their communities. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Rep. Barragán joins Reps. Letlow, Schrier to Introduce Bipartisan Maternal Support Bill

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Reps. Julia Letlow (R-LA), Kim Schrier (D-WA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) to introduce legislation aimed at increasing critical support for new mothers and infants through the distribution of newborn supply kits.

The Newborns Essentials Support Toolkit (NEST) Act authorizes an existing pilot program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide items such as diapers, wipes, breastfeeding supplies, and postpartum mental health resources in areas of need. 

“No mother should have to worry about whether she can afford the basic necessities her newborn needs in those critical first days,” said Congresswoman Nanette Barragán. “The bipartisan NEST Act builds on proven partnerships to ensure families, especially those in underserved and maternal health desert communities, have access to essential supplies and postpartum support. This legislation is a practical, compassionate step toward improving maternal and infant health outcomes and giving every child a strong start in life.”

“Motherhood is a tremendous blessing and the highest calling of my life. In the days and moments after giving birth, I want all moms to have the support necessary to create a nurturing environment for their child, especially in maternal health deserts and our rural communities,” said Congresswoman Julia Letlow, the primary sponsor of the legislation. “We will keep working with our local hospitals and private sector partners to expand this program and provide meaningful support for mothers and their babies.”

“As a mother and a pediatrician, I understand the physical, mental, and financial challenges that mothers of newborns often face during the postpartum period,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “Mothers need all the support we can provide. That is why I am proud to introduce the bipartisan NEST Act that will ensure mothers have the supplies and resources they need to care for themselves and their newborns.”

“As a healthcare participant in the newborn supply kit program, Woman’s Hospital is proud to provide new mothers in need with essential resources that support a strong start to parenthood,” said Rene Ragas, President & CEO of Woman’s Hospital. “These kits are game changers for our families, offering the peace of mind that comes with having supplies for those first critical days and weeks at home. The kits remove common sources of stress, allowing parents to focus on bonding with their newborn and navigating the early days of family life with confidence and care.”

“Congresswoman Letlow’s leadership in delivering vital support to new moms represents a bold and innovative step forward in addressing maternal health challenges,” said E.J. Kuiper, President and CEO of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System. “Maternal health is the cornerstone to ensuring healthy families and healthy communities, and initiatives like this have the power to save lives. Congresswoman Letlow has been a tireless champion for mothers and families in many policy areas, and we are grateful for her continued focus on ensuring that new mothers receive the care, supplies and support they need to thrive.”

“The introduction of the NEST Act is a crucial step forward in ensuring new parents’ access to essential resources during one of life’s most vulnerable moments,” said Kay Matthews, Founder and Executive Director at the Shades of Blue Project. “As someone who has experienced firsthand the challenges of the perinatal period, I know how transformative it can be when families receive the right support at the right time. I’m grateful to Rep. Letlow and Rep. Schrier for their bipartisan leadership on pro-family and cost of living issues—when we invest in moms and babies, we’re investing in American communities, especially those who have been historically underserved.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nanette Diaz Barragán (CA-44)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

December 19, 2025

Contact: Jin.Choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán, Kean, Jr., Miller-Meeks, Auchincloss, Fitzpatrick, and Watson Coleman Re-Introduce Legislation to Protect Patients from High Prescription Drug Costs 

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44) joined Representatives Tom Kean, Jr. (R-NJ), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) to reintroduce the Help Ensure Lower Patient (HELP) Copays Act to make life-saving prescription medications more affordable for patients with rare, serious, and chronic conditions.

This bipartisan legislation would require insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) to count the value of copay assistance they receive on a patient’s behalf toward cost-sharing requirements. This change ensures that payments, whether they come directly out of a patient’s pocket or with help from non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, contribute toward a patient’s annual deductible and out-of-pocket limit.

Rep. Barragán said, “For patients living with complex and chronic diseases, access to prescription drugs that help them manage their condition saves lives, plain and simple. But too many Americans are unable to afford the medications they need because the out-of-pocket costs are too high. This is unacceptable. Americans work hard every day to make sure they can feed their families and take care of their loved ones. They should not be priced out of receiving the life-saving medications they rely on. That is why I am proud to co-lead, the HELP Copays Act, with Congressman Kean. This bipartisan bill will help working American families afford their prescriptions by putting a stop to harmful practices by insurance companies and Pharmacy Benefit Managers, and ensuring that patients’ copay assistance counts towards their cost-sharing requirements. Because drug affordability is not a blue-state issue or a red-state issue — it is an issue that affects tens of millions across the country and in every state.”

Congressman Tom Kean, Jr. said, “Copay assistance programs help make costly medications attainable for Americans who rely on them. Yet under current law, insurers and PBMs can pocket this assistance without lowering patients’ cost-sharing obligations. Our bipartisan legislation will fix that problem by ensuring those savings are passed on to patients. This solution will protect access to essential prescription drugs, reduce overall healthcare costs for families, and hold these health companies accountable.”

Congresswoman Miller-Meeks said, “Too many patients are forced to walk away from the pharmacy counter because their out-of-pocket costs are simply too high. The HELP Copays Act is a commonsense, bipartisan solution that ensures financial assistance, from nonprofits or drug manufacturers, actually counts toward a patient’s deductible and copay. As a physician, I know how devastating it is when a patient can’t afford the medication they need. This bill puts patients first by lowering their real, day-to-day costs and stopping insurance companies from shifting more of the burden onto families.”

Congressman Auchincloss said, “Drug pricing middlemen want patients to pay deductibles twice. That’s not how insurance should work. With this bill, those schemes stop.”

Congressman Fitzpatrick said, “For people living with chronic and rare diseases, copay assistance is often the only path to staying on lifesaving treatment. Yet far too many are paying twice, while insurers and PBMs pocket that assistance without ever counting it toward a patient’s costs. That’s wrong—and it’s exactly what the bipartisan HELP Copays Act corrects. This is common-sense, patient-first reform to lower out-of-pocket costs and ensure every dollar intended to help a patient actually does.” 

Specifically, the HELP Copays Act would: 

• Clarify the Affordable Care Act (ACA) to require that health plans count payments made “by or on behalf of” patients, including financial assistance offered by non-profit organizations and prescription drug manufacturers, toward cost-sharing requirements.
• Close the ACA’s Essential Health Benefit (EHB) loophole to ensure that any covered prescription drug is defined as “essential” so that all related cost-sharing counts towards a patient’s cost-sharing limits. 

The full text of the House bill is available HERE. An identical companion Senate bill (S.864) was introduced by Senators Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Tom Kaine (D-VA) in March 2025.

The legislation is endorsed by the All Copays Count Coalition, a group of nearly 90 national patient and provider advocacy organizations. Read their press release HERE and endorsement letter in support of the bill HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington, D.C. – Today, Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Tax Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04),Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee Rep. Richard E. Neal (MA-01), and Ways and Means Democrats held a press conference announcing the American Affordability Act, a comprehensive bill aimed at lowering the cost of living for American families.

“Families are doing everything right and still falling behind as costs keep rising,” said Thompson. “The American Affordability Act is about real relief for families: affordable housing, lower energy bills, more affordable childcare and healthcare, and bigger paychecks. This bill delivers targeted tax relief and smart investments that help families make ends meet and restores the promise that hard work should be enough to get ahead in our country.”

“While Donald Trump projects and dismisses affordability fears as a ‘hoax,’ Democrats have been and always will be at the front of the fight to lower costs for everyday workers and families. Tax Ranking Member Mike Thompson knows that whether it’s tackling the housing crisis, making child care more affordable, or lowering health and energy costs, we have so much work to do to ease the minds of the American people and foster opportunity. The American Affordability Act is a blueprint for the next step in our fight for what we are united to deliver: lower costs and easier, better lives,” said Neal. 

Thompson and Neal were joined by Representatives Terri Sewell (AL-07), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), and Steven Horsford (NV-04) at the press conference. The bill is co-led by 16 Ways and Means Committee Democrats. 

BACKGROUND

As Americans continue to face rising costs for housing, healthcare, childcare, energy, and education, Thompson led Ways and Means Democrats in designing this comprehensive bill to put money back in Americans’ pockets and strengthen our economy.

The American Affordability Act is designed to lower everyday costs and expand economic opportunity through targeted tax relief and strategic investments. 

The bill does the following: 

Makes Housing More Affordable

• Expands the supply of affordable housing by modernizing and strengthening the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
• Provides refundable tax credits for first-time homebuyers and renters to directly reduce housing costs.
• Encourages the conversion of vacant offices and commercial buildings into housing, revitalizing downtowns and increasing supply.
• Prioritizes developments that serve rural communities, veterans, Native American communities, and extremely low-income households.

Lowers Energy and Transportation Costs

• Restores clean energy tax credits that lower utility bills and promote domestic energy production.
• Expands energy-efficiency credits for home upgrades that permanently reduce heating and cooling costs.
• Makes electric vehicles more affordable, including used EVs, charging infrastructure, and electric bicycles.
• Invests in grid resilience, water reuse, and disaster mitigation to reduce long-term costs from outages and extreme weather.

Supports Families and Childcare

• Creates a fully refundable Child Tax Credit with monthly payments.
• Expands the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit to make childcare more affordable for working parents.
• Supports family caregivers and stabilizes the childcare workforce.
• Makes the adoption tax credit fully refundable.

Reduces Education Costs and Boosting Workers’ Pay

• Expands education tax credits to cover more years of college and workforce training.
• Reduces the tax burden on student loan interest and forgiveness.
• Increases take-home pay through deductions for overtime, tips, and certain worker expenses.
• Strengthens the Earned Income Tax Credit, particularly for workers without children.

Lowers Healthcare Costs

• Expands health insurance premium tax credits to reduce monthly premiums.
• Closes coverage gaps and stabilizes premium increases.
• Requires coverage of recommended vaccines to improve access to preventive care.

Original Co-Sponsors of the American Affordability Act include: Mike Thompson (CA-04), Wesley Bell (MO-01), Donald Beyer (VA-08), Brendan Boyle (PA-02), Judy Chu (CA-28), Angie Craig (MN-02), Danny Davis (IL-07), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), John Garamendi (CA-08), Daniel Goldman (NY-10), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Steven Horsford (NV-04), Julie Johnson (TX-32), Timothy Kennedy (NY-26), John Larson (CT-01), Doris Matsui (CA-07), Sarah McBride (DE-AL), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Morgan McGarvey (KY-03), Gwen Moore (WI-04), Frank Mrvan (IN-01), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Stacey Plaskett (VI-AL), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Linda Sanchez (CA-38), Bradley Schneider (IL-10), Hillary Scholten (MI-03), Terri Sewell (AL-07), Tom Suozzi (NY-03), Dina Titus (NV-01).

Read the full bill text here. 

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

WASHINGTON DC– Ahead of the holidays, U.S. Representatives Haley Stevens (MI-11), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Hillary Scholten (MI-03), introduced the Trump Tariff Transparency Act, which will highlight the devastating impact Trump’s illegal trade war is having on Michigan small businesses and families. Specifically, the bill would direct the Small Business Administration (SBA), in coordination with the U.S Bureau of Economic Analysis, to produce a quarterly report on how much Trump’s tariffs are costing America’s consumers and small businesses.

As families begin to shop in preparation for the holiday season, many consumers say they’ve noticed higher than usual prices for holiday gifts, with overall spending going down from previous years. Many popular holiday items have been especially impacted by tariffs, including toys, personal care products, small appliances, clothing accessories, jewelry, and household tools. Research also shows that tariffs have driven up prices for domestically manufactured and everyday goods, including groceries and other household essentials.

“The one thing I hear over and over again from families and small manufacturers in Michigan is that Donald Trump’s tariffs are making everything more expensive. Our Trump Tariff Transparency Act takes on these erratic tariffs to help bring an end to the pain being felt by Michigan families,” said Stevens. “Michigan has had enough of Donald Trump’s price hikes.”

“As a mom, I know how expensive the holiday season can be – and it’s even worse with Trump’s disastrous trade war. While Trump builds ballrooms, hands massive tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy, and profits off selling out our country’s interests, he’s telling families struggling to afford groceries and heating bills that affordability is a hoax,” said Pettersen. “Trump might’ve been able to lie his way into office, but he’s not going to be able to lie his way out of the pain and suffering that his immoral and unlawful priorities have caused. I’ve heard firsthand from small business owners across my district – from Salida to Golden and everywhere in between – who aren’t going to be able to weather the storm of his failed policies. We need accountability and transparency, and this bill is going to do just that.”

“Michigan families and small businesses shouldn’t have to pay the price for President Trump’s chaotic, reckless tariffs – especially around the holiday season,” said Scholten. “Tariffs are a tax on working families and a burden on our small businesses. As prices continue to skyrocket on everything from beef to coffee to appliances to stocking stuffers, we deserve to know exactly how big that tax is. As a working mom and a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am proud to be introducing this commonsense legislation to study the true toll of this administration’s catastrophic economic policies and work towards finding real solutions for Michigan families and small businesses.”

In October, Rep. Stevens introduced the No Tariffs on Groceries Act to lower the costs of groceries by removing the ability of a president to unilaterally put tariffs on food and agricultural products.

Bill text can be found HERE.

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