MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joaquin Castro (20th District of Texas)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the full Maryland Congressional Delegation – Congressman Steny Hoyer (MD-05), U.S. Senators Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks (both D-MD), and U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume (MD-07), Andy Harris (MD-01), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Glenn Ivey (MD-04), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), April McClain Delaney (MD-06), and Johnny Olszewski (MD-02) – released the following statement on Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins’ announcement declaring a Secretarial Disaster Designation in response to crop damage from the April 21, 2026 freeze and frost event. This announcement comes after the delegation sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging Secretary Rollins to act quickly to provide emergency assistance to farmers.

“Maryland farmers suffered devastating losses from the freeze and frost event in April, and it is clear they need federal support. That’s why we pressed the Trump Administration to approve Maryland’s request for a USDA Disaster Designation in order to unlock emergency loan funding and make emergency financial assistance programs available to impacted farmers. We’re glad to see that this request was granted, ensuring our local farmers will have access to these critical resources. Our farmers support our communities and our economy, and this assistance will help them recover from the major financial losses due to this extreme weather event. We will continue to support our farmers and agriculture communities across our state.”

Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan Introduce Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026

As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce, joined Representatives Gwen Moore (WI-04), Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), and Mark Pocan (WI-02) in introducing legislation to repeal the national federal tax credit voucher scheme included in the Republicans’ so-called Big, Beautiful Bill.

Voucher schemes divert public funding into private schools that lack proper accountability and oversight. Private schools can pick and choose who they admit and lack protections for students with disabilities. In Wisconsin, Governor Evers vetoed legislation that would have opted Wisconsin into this program, further expanding vouchers in the state.

“The federal government is responsible for ensuring equitable access to high-quality, well-funded public education. Instead, in the ‘Big Ugly Bill,’ Congressional Republicans created a federal school voucher scheme that will funnel public dollars away from public schools to help subsidize private schools for wealthy families,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce. “That is why I am proud to support the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 to undo the harm caused by Republicans’ ‘Big Ugly Bill’ and ensure that public dollars are spent on public education.”

“In states across the country, charter school programs often operate with little transparency, sap funding from public schools, and primarily benefit wealthy students. In Wisconsin, taxpayers are paying $700 million this year alone for vouchers, and nearly all this money is funneled into religious schools. Instead of investing in our public schools, which educate most of America’s students, Republicans used taxpayer funds to create a national voucher scheme. As a proud product of public schools, I am honored to spearhead legislation with my colleagues that reverses this scheme and stands up for public education,”saidRepresentative Gwen Moore (WI-04).

“Public schools welcome and educate every child regardless of their background or income, and public funding should stay in public schools,”saidRepresentative Suzanne Bonamici. “The Big Ugly Bill’s voucher scam is a backdoor way to dismantle public education and divert public resources into private institutions – including religious schools. Research consistently shows that the majority of families participating in voucher programs already send their children to private schools. We must keep federal funding in public schools where all students can benefit.”

“Florida should be a warning about what happens when public education dollars are diverted into private voucher programs,”said Representative Maxwell Frost (FL-10). “We’ve watched public school funding flow into private voucher programs that lack the transparency, oversight and protections families deserve. Congress should be strengthening public schools, not exporting Florida’s mistakes nationwide. That’s why I’m proud to help lead the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act.”

“Arizona’s misguided experiment with universal private school vouchers should serve as a warning to the rest of the country. We’ve watched public education dollars be diverted into a system plagued by abuse,”saidRepresentative Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07).“The federal government should not replicate this failed program on a national scale. The Keep Public Dollars in Public Schools Act will help ensure federal taxpayer dollars strengthen the public schools that serve the overwhelming majority of America’s children, not subsidize privatization schemes rife with fraud.”

“As a proud public school graduate, I know firsthand the value and importance of our public education system,” said Representative Mark Pocan (WI-02). “Fixing this blatant abuse of the tax system will help kids across the country, not just those whose parents are members of Mar-a-Lago. I applaud my friend, Rep. Moore, for spearheading this legislation, and I’m glad to be part of this effort to keep public funds in public schools.”

“As governor and a former educator, I’ve spent decades of my life watching the impacts that draining public funds from public schools to fund private voucher school programs has had on kids, schools, and public education in Wisconsin,”said Gov. Evers. “Republicans in Washington have given private voucher expansion carte blanche to run roughshod over public education in this country—and a blank check to do so at taxpayer expense—clearly without any regard for whether it actually does what is best for kids. It’s wrong-headed and does nothing to address the real problems our public schools are facing. I am glad to support Congresswoman Moore and Congressman Pocan’s work to repeal this dangerous and harmful law and instead ensure our kids and schools are given real, meaningful resources they need to thrive.”

“Every student deserves a fully-funded public school in their neighborhood that prepares them with the lessons, support, and life skills they need to reach their full potential. Parents and educators agree that we should be investing in public schools, where 90% of students and 95% of students with disabilities learn, not taking money away from them to send to private schools. Let’s reduce class sizes so students get more one-on-one attention, and increase educator pay to help address the teacher and staff shortages. That is why the National Education Association applauds Congresswoman Gwen Moore for introducing legislation to repeal the first national school voucher program, which would drain funding from public schools and funnel it to unaccountable and discriminatory private schools,”said National Education Association President Becky Pringle.

“The use of public dollars for private voucher schemes remains anathema. While it’s a good thing that the political backlash has resulted in some potential uses for public school parents, vouchers are never a substitute for direct, sustained investment in public education.

“Let’s be clear what this administration is doing: putting its thumb on the scale for privatization and spending billions more to prop up this scheme than it ever has on public schools. It telegraphs, in words and in deeds, that it has no interest in improving the schools that 90 percent of kids attend. That’s why we wholeheartedly support the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act, which would repeal the tax credit and help the neighborhood schools that 90 percent of kids attend,”said American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten.

“Repealing the private school voucher tax credit is critical to protecting public education. At a time when state and federal budget cuts threaten public schools, vouchers would divert scarce resources away from the students who need them most—particularly Black, Latino, and low-income students and students with disabilities—and into systems that do not serve every child.

“With widespread OCR case backlogs and growing attacks on civil rights protections for Black students, expanding school privatization would further weaken accountability and leave many families with fewer safeguards. We should be strengthening public schools, not undermining them. EdTrust urges states not to opt into this program and calls on Congress to advance this important legislation to protect public education and educational opportunity for all students,”said Augustus Mays, EdTrust’s Vice President of Partnerships and Engagement.

“We commend Representatives Gwen Moore, Bonamici, Frost, Grijalva, and Pocan and the other cosponsors for their leadership in introducing the Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act. Their efforts would repeal the federal tax credit program that will funnel billions of dollars to private schools that are not held to the same legal obligations to protect students with disabilities, jeopardizing their academic and social emotional growth. NCLD firmly opposed this program when it became law last summer. We urge members of Congress to support this legislation and ensure federal funds come with the legal protections all students are entitled to,”saidDr. Jacqueline Rodriguez, CEO of the National Center for Learning Disabilities.

Watch the livestream of the press conference here.

The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act is endorsed by numerous stateand nationalorganizations.

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 June 2026

Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

Barragán, Castro, and Stanton Demand Transparency on DNA Collection of Detained Families at Dilley Detention Facility

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following a congressional oversight visit to the Dilley Immigration Processing Center in Texas, U.S. Representatives Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Greg Stanton (AZ-04) sent a letter to DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin and Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons demanding answers about the collection and use of DNA from families detained at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

“During our visit, we learned that ICE collects DNA samples from individuals detained at the facility, including parents and children. Given the sensitive nature of biometric information, we seek greater transparency regarding these practices and assurance that these samples are being utilized responsibly and in accordance with applicable laws and policies,” the lawmakers wrote.

In the letter, the lawmakers request detailed information regarding DNA collection policies and protocols and ask for responses to the following questions no later than June 17, 2026:

1. A detailed description of ICE’s policies and procedures regarding the collection of DNA from adults and minors detained at the Dilley facility. 

2. A description of all databases, federal agencies, contractors, or third parties with whom DNA profiles or related information may be shared.

3. Information regarding how long DNA samples and resulting profiles are retained and the process, if any, for expungement or deletion.

4. Any guidance provided to families regarding their rights, the purpose of collection, and how their genetic information will be used. 

5. Any assessments conducted regarding the privacy, civil rights, or civil liberties implications of collecting DNA from children and family units. 

Additionally, the lawmakers raised concerns about the lack of educational programming at the facility. Local ICE officials informed them that only two certified teachers were on site despite a population of 97 children on the day of their May 26 visit.

The full letter is here. 

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

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

28 May 2026

Contact: jin.choi@mail.house.gov

Reps. Barragán, Castro, and Stanton Inspect Dilley Trailer Prison, Meet with Children and Families

DILLEY, TX — On Tuesday, Congresswoman Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20), and Congressman Greg Stanton (AZ-04) conducted a congressional oversight visit to the Dilley detention center in Southwest Texas. During the inspection, ICE outlined the process for collecting DNA samples from detainees upon arrival but could not confirm proper protocols were in place to keep biometric information secure. Then, the members met with mothers, children, and fathers who shared experiences of poor food quality, difficult sleeping conditions, and lack of adequate schooling and medical care. When Congressman Castro visited Dilley in January, there were over 1,100 people in the facility. Yesterday, there were 345 people, including 66 families and 97 children.

Reps. Barragán, Castro, Stanton report conditions at Dilley. Watch the video here.

For Rep. Barragán’s solo video, see here.

“Why are young children being locked up at the Dilley Detention Center and rules being put in place to make it harder and harder for families to speak with Members of Congress?” said Congresswoman Barragán. “Our immigrant families should not be treated in this way. The Trump administration and ICE have not focused their enforcement on serious criminals. Instead, they’ve harassed and locked up families who have contributed to our country for years and played by the rules once they are here. We will continue to shine a light on the mistreatment of immigrants by this Administration, advocate for their release, and hold the Administration accountable through these Congressional oversight visits. Americans need to know what is happening.”

“For ICE, cruelty is the point,” said Congressman Castro. “Right now, there are three kids under the age of three locked up at the Dilley trailer prison, and ICE is making it harder for members of Congress to conduct oversight and hear directly from families. ICE is becoming more secretive and restrictive. Thanks to all who continue to speak out against this secrecy and inhumanity. I will continue to push to shut down Dilley and free our children.”

“We spoke to the children, parents, and spouses being swept up into Trump’s mass deportation machine — mothers separated from their American-born children, business owners imprisoned for months, and families left in deportation limbo after decades here with no criminal record. On-the-ground oversight of ICE facilities has never been more urgent, and we’re going to keep showing up,” said Congressman Stanton.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Tennessee Heath Science Center (UTHSC) will receive two grants totaling $1,854,709 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

The first, for $1,344,117, from the Office of the Director of the NIH, is for solution-oriented research identifying early-life modifiable risk factors for obesity and mental health problems in children under the director of Dr. Qi Zhao, a professor of Preventive Medicine.

The second, for $510,592, from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, is for research into radiation-induced Paneth Cell dysfunction under the direction of Dr. Radhakrishna Rao, a professor in the Department of Physiology. Paneth Cells are a specialized cell type in the lining of the small intestines which are an important source of antimicrobial peptides. Certain types of radiation reduces the peptide production by these cells and alters microbiome composition. There are no FDA-approved therapeutics for radiation injury, and this work is essential to uncover the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in radiation-induced immunity dysfunction to help develop new therapeutics. 

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“These federal investments in children’s mental health and in better understanding intestinal problems will improve the quality of life for patients and improve therapies. I commend Drs. Zhao and Rao and the University for their commitments to medical science.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)

Washington, DC – Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren (CA-18) and Congressman Derek Tran (CA-45) in leading 32 members of the California Congressional Delegation in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries raising the alarm about a section in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870), that would give rideshare companies immunity from any injury, sexual assault, or fatality that happens during a ride.

For a full copy of the letter, click here.

Introduced by Representative Fong (CA-20), the relevant section of the BUILD America 250 Act would ensure that rideshare companies “shall not be liable under the law of any State or political subdivision thereof […] for any harm to persons or property that results or arises out of the use, operation, or possession of a motor vehicle by an app-based driver,” protecting companies from legal liability even when presented with concerning information about a driver in a criminal background check, motor vehicle background check, customer complaint, safety test, or internal complaint. This would allow individuals who do not meet criminal or safety standards to continue operating as drivers. In the event of an incident, the company would not be held accountable, no matter its obligations to adequately screen drivers. H.R. 8870 was reported out of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee on May 22, 2026, with this language included, and awaits a floor vote by the full House.

Representatives Brownley, Lofgren, and Tran were joined by 32 members: Representative Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Representative Mike Thompson (CA-04), Representative Linda Sánchez (CA-38), Representative Jim Costa (CA-21), Representative Doris Matsui (CA-07), Representative Judy Chu (CA-28), Representative John Garamendi (CA-08), Representative Ami Bera (CA-06), Representative Jared Huffman (CA-2), Representative Jared Huffman (CA-02), Representative Raul Ruiz (CA-25), Representative Mark Takano (CA-39), Representative Juan Vargas (CA-52), Representative Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Representative Norma Torres (CA-35), Representative Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Representative Lou Correa (CA-46), Representative Ro Khanna (CA-17), Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Representative Mike Levin (CA-49),  Representative Sara Jacobs(CA-51), Representative Robert Garcia (CA-42), Representative Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Representative Kevin Mullin (CA-15), Representative Gilbert Cisneros (CA-31), Representative Laura Friedman (CA-30), Representative Sam Liccardo (CA-16),Representative Dave Min (CA-47), Representative Luz Rivas (CA-29),  Representative Lateefah Simon (CA-12), and Representative George Whitesides (CA-27).

The full text of the letter is below:

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Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries,

We write to urge you to strip out a provision in Title I of the BUILD America 250 Act (H.R. 8870), that would endanger consumers across the United States. The provision, which faced bipartisan opposition in markup, would shield rideshare companies from liability for crashes and sexual assaults caused by their negligence. This provision must be removed from the BUILD America 250 Act before it is considered on the House Floor.

The rapid expansion of the rideshare industry has introduced significant safety vulnerabilities, often putting consumers at the risk of physical harm. Uber alone faces more than 3,000 sexual assault claims in Federal Court nationwide for allegedly failing to implement adequate safety protections, driver screenings, or rider safeguards. In California, Uber is facing roughly 550 cases for allegedly failing to protect female drivers from sexual assault, stalking, kidnapping, or false imprisonment.

Victims may soon face a heavily restricted path to legal recourse. Uber is currently funding a California ballot initiative designed to cap damages for medical care and restrict a consumer’s ability to retain legal counsel following an accident. This initiative would functionally protect all negligent drivers and defective car manufacturers. Common product liability suits involving airbag defects, braking failure, steering issues, battery failure, or electronic control system and software defects would be judicially handicapped.

The BUILD America 250 Act, as amended, would further hinder victims’ ability to seek recourse. Currently, rideshare companies face legal accountability if their negligence causes harm–such as allowing a driver onto the platform despite a known dangerous criminal history. If that driver later assaults a passenger or causes a crash, the company can be held liable for failing to protect the public.

H.R. 8870 threatens to dismantle these vital safety incentives. The bill as currently written would provide rideshare companies with immunity from any injury, sexual assault, and fatality case no matter the red flags from any criminal background check, motor vehicle background check, customer complaint, safety test, or internal complaint. Moreover, it expressly preempts State law. Though a rideshare company would still have to follow local laws regarding background checks, it would be immune from liability if it chose to ignore red flags in the background check.

Our constituents deserve better. Drivers trying to earn a living and riders who want to get to their next destination all deserve a safe ride – and the ability to be made whole if they are injured along the way.

The Build America 250 Act must be amended, and this provision stripped, before it is considered on the House Floor.

Sincerely,

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Issues: 119th Congress, Transportation and Infrastructure

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) was notified Tuesday that he has received a 100 percent on the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Legislative Scorecard. The 901,831-member union cited Congressman Cohen’s recent vote on the Faster Labor Contracts Act which was passed through the discharge petition process on June 9 when Republican leaders refused to bring it to the floor for a vote.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“I have always supported labor unions and the right to fair and timely collective bargaining. I’m proud to receive the IBEW’s endorsement of my work for its causes, including improving workers’ protections and benefits and strengthening the middle class through investments in emerging energy technologies and broadband access, and I thank them for the recognition.”

The scorecard assessed Congressman Cohen’s votes on 10 major labor-supported bills in the House dating back to the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.

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Source: {United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bobby Scott (3rd District of Virginia)

Headline: Scott, Warner, Kaine Press Pentagon on Vacant Resilience Coordinator Positions

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA), and 14 other Members of Congress sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth demanding answers about delays in implementing the Interagency Regional Coordinator for Resilience (IRCR) Pilot Project.

Congressman Scott, Senator Warner, and Senator Kaine secured language in the Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), enacted with bipartisan support, directing the Department of Defense to establish four resilience coordinator positions at flood-prone military installations. These coordinators are intended to strengthen collaboration between military installations and surrounding civilian communities to improve preparedness for flooding and other natural disasters.

Naval Station Norfolk was designated as one of the pilot locations and was assigned a coordinator. However, all four IRCR coordinator positions are currently vacant.

“Disaster prevention and response requires adequate planning and coordination between installations and their surrounding civilian communities,” the letter states. “Congress addressed this issue when it established the IRCR Pilot Project in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This pilot project directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish four IRCRs with at least one serving a defense community on each of the East, West, and Gulf Coasts.”

The letter also addresses the delay in appointing IRCRs and re-assigning the IRCR at Naval Station Norfolk.

“However, without these coordinators in place, DOD has not satisfied the statutory requirements of the IRCR Pilot Project,” the letter states. “To our knowledge, DOD previously appointed just one of the four coordinators required by law at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to carry out IRCR responsibilities, but the position is currently vacant. That appointment is the only IRCR role that DOD has assigned since the FY2023 NDAA was enacted, and now, all four positions required for the pilot project are currently vacant.”

The letter asks Secretary Hegseth to answer a list of questions on the status of the IRCR Pilot Project by June 30, 2026. 

Full text of the letter can be found by CLICKING HERE and below. 

Dear Secretary Hegseth,

As members of Congress representing defense communities, we write to request information on the status of the Interagency Regional Coordinator for Resilience (IRCR) Pilot Project established by P.L. 117-263.  

Military installations across the country are highly susceptible to extreme weather, including flooding, fire, and severe storms. When these events occur, they jeopardize military readiness and national security. Disaster prevention and response requires adequate planning and coordination between installations and their surrounding civilian communities. Congress addressed this issue when it established the IRCR Pilot Project in the FY2023 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This pilot project directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to establish four IRCRs with at least one serving a defense community on each of the East, West, and Gulf Coasts. These communities must experience significant flooding and collaborate on multi-jurisdictional adaptation planning efforts. The intent of this law is to develop a framework that better facilitates collaboration between military installations and their neighboring communities to reduce disaster-related risk to national security. 

However, without these coordinators in place, DOD has not satisfied the statutory requirements of the IRCR Pilot Project. To our knowledge, DOD previously appointed just one of the four coordinators required by law at Naval Station Norfolk in Virginia to carry out IRCR responsibilities, but the position is currently vacant. That appointment is the only IRCR role that DOD has assigned since the FY2023 NDAA was enacted, and now, all four positions required for the pilot project are currently vacant. 

We request answers to the following questions on the status and future of the IRCR Pilot Project by June 30, 2026.

1. What is DOD’s current plan to fill all four vacancies required for the IRCR Pilot Project? Please include a timeline for when DOD expects to establish IRCRs.
2. Why is the IRCR position at Naval Station Norfolk currently vacant following the departure of the initial IRCR? When do you expect to fill this position?
3. What steps, if any, has DOD taken to establish the other three IRCRs?

4. Has DOD identified any of the other three military installations that DOD will assign IRCRs to? If so, please provide the name(s) of the base(s) and provide the justification as to why they were chosen.

   Ensuring that our military installations and their surrounding communities are prepared for natural disasters is a priority for our communities and national security. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.

   Sincerely,

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced he will host a virtual town hall ahead of the 250^th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence with special guest Jeffrey Rosen, New York Times bestselling author, professor of law at George Washington University, and contributing editor at The Atlantic on Thursday, June 18^th at 2:30 p.m. PT. 

Congressman DeSaulnier and Mr. Rosen will discuss America’s founding, the progress we have made since then to fulfill its promises, and where the country stands now at its sesquicentennial anniversary amid attacks by the Trump Administration on the Constitution and civil liberties. They will also take audience questions live. 

Virtual America 250 Town Hall 
Thursday, June 18^th
2:30 – 3:30 p.m. PT
Hosted on Zoom 
Streamed to YouTube

To reserve your spot and receive a Zoom link or to request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660. 

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 269^th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.