MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Dina Titus (1st District of Nevada)

Today Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01) and Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) introduced legislation to help ensure that the State Department makes disability rights an international priority. 

The State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act would establish in law the Office of International Disability Rights at the U.S. State Department, to be supervised by a Special Advisor of International Disability Rights. The Special Advisor position has not been filled since the start of the Trump Administration. 

Under the bipartisan bill, the Office of International Disability Rights would lead efforts to promote the rights of people with disabilities around the world. The legislation also requires State Department personnel to undergo disability inclusion training.

“The full inclusion of people with disabilities is a fundamental aspect of democracy, and it must be a priority for U.S. foreign policy,” said Congresswoman Titus (NV-01), a senior member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. “This legislation will help ensure that the State Department uses its diplomatic tools to lead by example and promote the empowerment of persons with disabilities worldwide. We must regain our footing on the world stage as the champion of human rights for all people.”

“America leads best when we lead with our values,” said Congressman Johnny Olszewski (MD-02). “This bill ensures that inclusion isn’t an afterthought but a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy. It gives our diplomats the tools, training, and structure to build a world where every person can contribute fully, freely, and has a seat at the table. It’s the right thing to do and the smart thing to do for long-term peace and prosperity.”

Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) also introduced their companion bill to the State Department Disability Policy and Accommodations Act today. 

“Promoting international disability rights is the right thing to do and can significantly boost global security and prosperity,” said Senator Kaine (D-VA), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committees. “There’s so much more the U.S. can do on this issue. I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this legislation to enhance U.S. engagement on disability rights around the world and ensure State Department staff with disabilities have access to equal opportunities.”

“Every single one of us is just one bad day away from becoming disabled, and we should do everything we can to ensure that members of the disability community can live full lives wherever they reside,” said Senator Duckworth (D-IL). “I’m proud to join my colleagues in introducing this bill to highlight the importance of protecting the rights of people with disabilities around the world and to help ensure that all State Department programs provide equal access to the opportunities people deserve.”

Full text of the House legislation is available here.

Background

This bill seeks to strengthen how the U.S. Department of State promotes disability rights internationally and ensures accessibility and inclusion within its own workforce and overseas facilities.

1. Elevating Disability Rights in U.S. Foreign Policy

• Declares that promoting international disability rights is essential to global peace, stability, and prosperity.
• Requires the Secretary of State, within 180 days, to develop a formal policy guiding U.S. diplomacy and foreign assistance on disability rights.
• The policy must be developed in consultation with U.S. missions, civil society, international organizations, and individuals with disabilities, including women, indigenous persons, youth, and combat-injured partners abroad.
• The policy must be incorporated into the Foreign Affairs Manual and made publicly available.

2. Strengthening the Office of International Disability Rights

• Codifies and strengthens the Office of International Disability Rights at the State Department.
• Requires the office to:
  • Coordinate U.S. international disability policy and assistance across the government.
  • Collect and track data on spending and programs promoting disability rights abroad.
  • Facilitate interagency cooperation and promote exchanges with disability policymakers and advocates.
• The office will be led by a Senate-confirmed Ambassador-at-Large for International Disability Rights.
• Requires the State Department to develop an International Disability Rights Strategy within one year, including priority countries, funding sources, and partnerships.
• Mandates annual reports to Congress on implementation and funding.
• Authorizes $6 million annually (FY2025–FY2030) to support the office.

3. Accessibility and Hiring within the State Department

• Requires the State Department to ensure equal access to hiring, recruitment, and overseas assignments for employees with disabilities and family members with disabilities.
• Mandates accessibility of embassies, consulates, websites, and communications, consistent with U.S. accessibility standards.
• Encourages contractors and overseas partners to hire workers with disabilities.
• Requires policies to ensure reasonable accommodations for both U.S. personnel and locally employed staff abroad.

4. Training and Capacity Building

• Requires mandatory disability policy training for State Department civil service and Foreign Service personnel and chiefs of mission.
• Training must cover inclusive policymaking, workplace compliance with disability law, engagement with disability organizations, and integrating disability considerations into humanitarian and development programs.
• Foreign Service training must include country-specific disability rights contexts.

5. Reporting Requirements

• Requires the State Department to provide annual reports and briefings to Congress describing:
  • Implementation of the law
  • Disability-inclusive diplomacy and programming
  • Accessibility of overseas facilities
  • Data collection and program outcomes
  • Remaining policy or staffing gaps.

6. Judy Heumann Foreign and Civil Service Disability Fellowship

• Establishes a Judy Heumann Disability Fellowship for State Department personnel.
• Each year at least two civil or Foreign Service officers will complete 6–12 month placements with organizations led by persons with disabilities.
• Fellows will study international disability frameworks and participate in global disability rights forums.
• Annual reports to Congress will summarize the fellowship’s outcomes.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology is holding a Full Committee Markup for H.R. 7813, NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act.

Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren’s (D-CA) opening statement as prepared for the record is below:

Thank you, Chairman Babin. Today, we are considering the NOAA Weather Radio Modernization Act. 

 I am excited to consider this bill today because the NOAA weather radio is a valued service used by many Americans across the country. Countless lives and immeasurable property have been saved by the timely and accurate reporting provided by NOAA weather radio. Now we will modernize it and make it even more remarkable and accessible. This bill is a long time in the making and will help the public prepare for all sorts of inclement weather as well as floods and other serious natural hazards. 

Just on Monday, here in Washington, we had numerous storm systems that brought dangerous weather to the area. During these types of storms, NOAA weather radio provides life saving warnings to alert people when to take shelter.

This is something that is critical for all areas of our country. In my own district, just a few years ago we had widespread flooding from “atmospheric rivers” that dumped huge amounts of rain in California. This led to the failure of a local levee, which caused devastating flooding to the community of Pajaro.

Last year, flash floods in Texas led to the Central Texas Flood Tragedy where at least 135 people were lost – many of them children. I want to continue to extend my deepest sympathies to the families and friends of the victims of that horrible tragedy. I hope that what we accomplish today may prevent a similar event from ever happening again.

While I support this bipartisan bill, I would be remiss if I did not bring up that this bill is Republican led, much like the Weather Act Reauthorization and the NASA reauthorization, making this the third markup in a row without any Democratic Member-led bills. In fact, the last time we marked up Democratic Member-led bill was last June. I sincerely hope that before we hold another markup in the Science Committee, we can work together to identify some bipartisan Democratic Member-led bills to add to the agenda.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, I yield back. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Darren Soto (D-FL)

The funds are granted to support transit agencies in buying and rehabilitating buses, as well as building and rehabilitating bus facilities

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) released the following statement following the House Committee on Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands’ Legislative Hearing on his Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act. This hearing featured testimony from Edmonson County Judge Executive Scott Lindsey, who testified to the significant economic and cultural impacts this bill would have on Kentucky’s Second District. 

“I’m grateful to the House Committee on Natural Resources for taking an important step to advance my Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act by conducting today’s legislative hearing,” said Congressman Guthrie. “My bill will not only improve the visitor experience at the Park, but it will also expand countless economic opportunities for the local communities surrounding Mammoth Cave.”

A written statement for the record, submitted by Congressman Guthrie, can be found here.

A written statement for the record, submitted by Judge Lindsey, can be found here.

Photos from today’s hearing can be found here.
Background:

The Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act was introduced by Congressman Guthrie and Senator Mitch McConnell on May 8, 2025. 

This bill would give the park the ability to acquire an additional 551.14 acres of land from The Nature Conservancy. This newly acquired land would enhance protections in the Green River watershed, further conserving the area’s wildlife and cultural heritage while generating additional tourism to Kentucky’s Second District.

Edmonson County Judge Executive Scott Lindsey’s Opening Statement as prepared for delivery:

“Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the Subcommittee, thank you for allowing me to testify today on behalf of Congressman Brett Guthrie and his bill, H.R. 3286, the Mammoth Cave National Park Boundary Adjustment Act of 2025. I appreciate the opportunity to speak about the importance of Mammoth Cave National Park not only to my county, Edmonson County, but to surrounding counties and the entire Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“Officially established as a National Park in 1941, Mammoth Cave National Park is home to the world’s longest known cave system, with more than 400 miles of surveyed underground passageways and miles still unexplored. The park’s roughly 52,000 acres extend across Edmonson, Barren, and Hart counties and provide a wide range of recreational opportunities including cave tours, hiking, camping, horseback riding, canoeing, kayaking, and fishing.

“What makes Mammoth Cave truly unique is that it operates on two levels: a rich forested landscape and river system above ground, and an extraordinary cave network below. Together, these features create one of the most remarkable natural environments in the United States.

“For generations, Mammoth Cave has served as a place of discovery for visitors, scientists, and students. The cave system preserves an incredible record of geological history while also protecting important cultural resources. Evidence of early exploration, prehistoric activity, and historic mining remains throughout the cave system. These resources make Mammoth Cave not only a natural wonder, but also a valuable site for scientific research, education, and historical preservation.

“The park is also a major economic engine for our region. Visitors from across the country and around the world travel to Kentucky not only for horse racing, bourbon, and Abraham Lincoln’s birthplace, but also to explore Mammoth Cave National Park. In 2024 alone, approximately 747,000 visitors came to the park and spent an estimated $73.2 million in nearby communities. Those expenditures supported more than 880 jobs and generated nearly $100 million in economic output for the local economy.

“For rural communities like mine, those numbers matter. Tourism connected to Mammoth Cave supports local restaurants, hotels, outfitters, and small businesses throughout the region.

“The legislation before you today would help strengthen that impact while also protecting critical natural resources. H.R. 3286 would authorize the Secretary of the Interior to acquire approximately 551 acres of land currently owned by The Nature Conservancy and incorporate it into Mammoth Cave National Park.

“This property lies within the Green River watershed, one of the most biologically diverse aquatic ecosystems in the United States. The area contains numerous cave passages, including Coach Cave and James Cave, which provide important habitat for endangered bat species. Protecting these habitats is essential for the recovery of these species and for the long-term ecological health of the region.

“Equally important, these caves contain significant cultural and archaeological resources. Evidence suggests these caves played a role in early American history through saltpeter mining during the War of 1812 and contains signatures left by Civil War soldiers who explored the cave in 1862.

“No organization is better equipped to protect these natural and cultural resources than the National Park Service and the experts at Mammoth Cave National Park.

“I also want to emphasize an important point: this acquisition involves land already owned by The Nature Conservancy. No additional private property is involved. The property is already under a conservation easement that restricts development, and because of its nonprofit ownership status, the county is not currently collecting property taxes on it. Therefore, the transfer of this land into the park will not reduce our local tax base.

“The purchase price for the property is just under $1 million and will be funded through the Land and Water Conservation Fund along with National Park Service allocations. Importantly, it is my understanding that all sale proceeds received by The Nature Conservancy will be reimbursed back to the Imperiled Bat Conservation Fund to support future conservation efforts.  

“This legislation has strong support from local leaders, regional organizations, and conservation partners across Kentucky.

“As County Judge Executive, one of my priorities is supporting local businesses and encouraging economic growth in our rural communities. Expanding and protecting Mammoth Cave National Park helps accomplish both goals. This investment will safeguard critical habitat, preserve irreplaceable historical resources, and expand recreational opportunities for future generations.

“Most importantly, it will continue to drive tourism and economic development for communities across south-central Kentucky.

“Thank you again, Chairman Tiffany, Ranking Member Neguse, and members of the Subcommittee, for holding this hearing and for the opportunity to testify today. I appreciate your consideration of H.R. 3286 and look forward to answering any questions you may have.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14) and 122 House Democrats, led by House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC) Clean Energy Deployment Task Force Co-Chairs U.S. Reps. Sean Casten (IL-06) and Mike Levin (CA-49) introduced the Energy Bills Relief Act, a family- and consumer-focused approach to United States energy policy that ensures Americans have access to the most reliable and low-cost source of power available – renewable energy.

The SEEC Energy Bills Relief Act incorporates legislative priorities to lower energy costs for hardworking American families that U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor has championed in Congress, including policies to connect more clean energy to the grid, deploy advanced technologies, and protect families and small businesses from rising power demand.

“Trump and Congressional Republicans are making electric bills unaffordable for our neighbors back home,” said Castor. “American families deserve better than a constant struggle with the high cost of living. Clean energy is the fastest, lowest-cost resource we can add to our electric grid to help lower bills. I’m thankful for Reps. Casten and Levin’s leadership, and I’m proud to support legislation that lowers costs and commits to clean energy innovation.”

Text of the legislation can be found here.

A section-by-section can be found here.

A one-page summary can be found here. A three-page summary can be found here.

Statements of support from key issues advocacy organizations and industry leaders can be found here.

The Energy Bills Relief Act prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy by:

• Reinstating tax credits for home and system-wide energy improvements that were ended by President Trump and Congressional Republicans
• Incentivizing utility companies to save consumers’ money by rewarding them for making their systems more efficient, thereby lowering bills 
• Providing financial assistance to American families to make sure their power isn’t shut off
• Cracking down on price gouging, so energy companies can’t take advantage of you to boost their profits
• Ensuring that facilities like data centers are paying for their own costs because it’s not fair for their expenses to be pushed onto your household if one opens in your area
• Giving a voice to the American people so they can benefit from energy projects in their community

Electricity rates are surging nationwide, and millions of households are struggling to pay their rising energy bills. The most effective way to lower utility costs for American households is to expand access to renewable energy — the most reliable and low-cost energy source.

We have the tools to power America with abundant, reliable, American-made clean energy. The missing link between those tools and expanded access to that low-cost and efficient energy is a consumer-first energy policy. 

For too long, U.S. energy policy has boosted the profits of energy producers at the expense of energy consumers. The Energy Bills Relief Act shifts our focus to lowering costs and increasing reliability for American homes and businesses by deploying more renewable energy. It is firmly rooted in the American values of choice and competition. It prioritizes consumers and ensures access to low-cost energy for our homes, businesses, and economy.

The Energy Bills Relief Act is what American families need to see costs go down, reliability go up, and ensure our electric grid can meet rising demand.

Last September, Reps. Casten and Levin released a discussion draft of the legislation under the name of the Cheap Energy Act.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

Congressman Scores 100% – Top in GA Delegation – Highest Lifetime Score of 97% 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Hank Johnson (GA-04) announced today he earned a perfect 100 percent from The League of Conservation Voters (LCV) on their 2025 National Environmental Scorecard, which tallies the performance of every member of Congress every year on key environmental votes.

Rep. Johnson’s lifetime LCV score is 97 percent, one of the highest in the Georgia delegation. Congressman Johnson, a member of the Safe Climate Caucus, is regularly honored for his environmental voting record and advocacy on part of the National Park System and advocacy for the expansion of clean energy.

“As the Trump administration pursues its disastrous ‘drill-baby-drill’ policies, the American people and the planet suffer,” said Rep. Johnson. “We see what over-reliance on fossil fuels and a myopic energy policy looks like, and it’s not good. Voting to protect our natural resources and the planet from existential climate change isn’t difficult, it’s just common sense. I urge my Republican colleagues to get the heads out of Trump’s ass, find a backbone and a little common sense themselves before it’s too late.”

The average House score was 48 percent.

For more than 50 years, the National Environmental Scorecard issued by LCV has been the nationally accepted yardstick used to rate members of Congress on environmental, public health, and energy issues. For more information, visit http://scorecard.lcv.org.

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

The package includes two bipartisan bills co-led by Pappas, the Accelerating Home Building Act and the Property Improvement and Manufactured Housing Loan Modernization Act

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

Harder forced the Stockton ICE facility to open its doors to the public for the first time

Following Kristi Noem’s firing, Harder sending key demands to Senate leaders ahead of replacement vote

WASHINGTON – Ahead of an upcoming vote to confirm a new U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) sent a letter to U.S. Senate leaders demanding clear reforms at DHS or stiff consequences, including rejecting nominees. Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), the current nominee, is appearing before the Senate Homeland Security & Government Affairs Committee today for a confirmation hearing.

Weeks ago, Harder forced the local U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Stockton to open its doors for the first time since recent escalating attacks began. During the oversight investigation, Harder called for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s removal and made several demands for reforms at ICE – Harder is now urging the Senate to condition approval of Sen. Mullin and any replacement for Noem on commitments to clear reforms.

“We’re demanding that ICE adhere to the same rules as any other law enforcement agency – any nominee who can’t commit to that should be rejected,” said Rep. Harder. “Under Kristi Noem, our neighbors were unlawfully detained, demonstrators were brutally attacked, and families were torn apart. This can’t be a reshuffling of the deck chairs on the Titanic – we need real accountability from top to bottom.”

Harder’s demands for a replacement DHS Secretary include:

1. Clear standards governing ICE enforcement operations.
2. Bans on face coverings used by federal immigration agents.
3. Visible identification requirements for officers conducting immigration enforcement.
4. Reasonable use-of-force policiesfor federal immigration agents.
5. Bans on racial profilingincluding stops, questioning, and searches based on an individual’s race and ethnicity. 

Following today’s hearing, the U.S. Senate will vote on Sen. Mullin’s nomination in the coming days.

Read the full letter here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)