MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO), a former paratrooper and Army Ranger, pressed Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about conflicts of interest swirling around a top advisor Hegseth described as a “long term friend” and “great patriot” during his appearance before the House Armed Services Committee.

While serving at the Pentagon, Special Advisor to the Secretary of Defense Tim Parlatore maintains a private law practice that represents clients who may have business before the U.S. Government and benefit from having an attorney with close personal ties to the Secretary. When asked about Parlatore’s conflicts of interest, Hegseth refused to answer whether Parlatore represents and profits off clients from foreign governments or whether he represents and profits off U.S. military officers who are under consideration for promotions by Hegseth.

Secretary Hegseth commissioned Parlatore into the Navy Reserve in March 2025, bypassing vetting and oversight by the White House Presidential Personnel Office and the U.S. Senate. Hegseth’s decision to keep Parlatore at the Pentagon despite conflicts of interest is indicative of his failed leadership for servicemembers and the American people.

CONGRESSMAN CROW: He [Parlatore] maintains a private law practice, does he represent foreign governments or foreign persons in that private law practice? 

SECRETARY HEGSETH: Uhh, I don’t know. 

CONGRESSMAN CROW: You don’t know? Somebody who is sitting in your meetings, a special advisor, you don’t know?

Parlatore previously worked as Hegseth’s personal attorney when he faced sexual assault allegations, has represented soldiers accused of war crimes and former members of the mob, and hired and commended lawyers who worked for Jeffrey Epstein. Despite his unknown ties to foreign entities, Parlatore was also on an unsecured Signal thread where Secretary Hegseth shared classified information about strikes in Yemen with his wife, brother, and other close associates last year.

Parlatore, who was also once a member of President Trump’s legal team, has been accused by the President’s team of lying and was reportedly described by the President as “unstable.” The White House removed him and Secretary Hegseth from overseeing investigations into former DoD aides because of their inability to remain objective.

A transcript of the exchange is provided below and can be viewed here.

CONGRESSMAN JASON CROW: Mr. Secretary, I want to go in a little bit of a different direction. Timothy Parlatore served as your private attorney, correct?

SECRETARY PETE HEGSETH: Correct.

CROW: And Mr. Parlatore also served as private attorney for President Trump’s campaign, correct?

HEGSETH: I’m not privy to every professional position that he’s held.

CROW: I’ll help you out, he did. And you appointed Mr. Parlatore as your senior advisor, correct?

HEGSETH: He does reserve duty on behalf of the Navy, does great work.

CROW: His title is senior advisor, you gave him that title, correct? 

HEGSETH: And I would count him as very much an advisor of mine.

CROW: Yep, he travels with you, correct?

[Crosstalk]

HEGSETH: Tim Parlatore’s been a long term friend. He’s a great patriot…

CROW: He travels with you. 

HEGSETH:…and has traveled with me. He serves the country… 

CROW: That’s not what I asked. He travels with you, doesn’t he?

HEGSETH:…he’s an excellent military lawyer. 

CROW: He travels with you, doesn’t he, correct? There’s public Instagram that shows this, just say yes.

HEGSETH: Yes, of course.

CROW: Okay. He sits in meetings with you and advises you, doesn’t he?

HEGSETH: Uhh, he sits in some meetings on occasion.

CROW: Well, he maintains a desk and an office in the Pentagon, does he not?

HEGSETH: I’d have to check.

CROW: You don’t know?

HEGSETH: It’s a big Pentagon.

CROW: You directly commissioned Mr. Parlatore in the Naval Reserve as a Navy Commander in March 2025, did you not?

HEGSETH: I was very proud to do so.

CROW: And when you did, because he’s a Navy Reserve Officer, he didn’t have to go through the PPO process, the White House Presidential Personnel Office, right? He wasn’t vetted by White House PPO.

HEGSETH: Uniformed service members don’t get vetted by….

CROW: The answer is yes, he didn’t have to be vetted by White House PPO. He didn’t go through the Senate confirmation process either did he? 

The answer is no.

[Crosstalk]

HEGSETH: I don’t know what you’re getting to, but Tim is a fantastic…

CROW: I’ll tell you what I’m getting to…

HEGSETH: …he does great work.

CROW: …the answer is no, right?

HEGSETH: He does great work.

CROW: Okay. He didn’t maintain a security clearance when you appointed him as special advisor, is that right?

HEGSETH: I’d have to check.

CROW: You don’t know?

HEGSETH: I mean, anybody that has access to sensitive material is going to have the appropriate clearance.

CROW: Okay, so when you appointed him as special advisor, he had a security clearance?

[Crosstalk]

HEGSETH: I don’t, you’re trying to piece together a timeframe…

CROW: No, I’m asking a simple question… 

HEGSETH:…that I can’t give you exact dates for.

CROW: …one of your special, most sensitive advisors, did he have a security clearance?

HEGSETH: No, you’re playing a gotcha game like you do on TV…

CROW: I’m asking questions.

HEGSETH…everywhere else you’re trying to thread together details…

CROW: Clearly you’re concerned…

HEGSETH:…that aren’t connected about something else.

CROW:…clearly you’re concerned about my line of questioning, aren’t you, Mr. Secretary, because you know where it’s going, don’t you? I think you do.

So does Mr. Parlatore represent foreign governments? He has a private law practice, does he not?

HEGSETH: From what I understand of his law practice, he does a lot of great work for servicemembers in the military and others.

CROW: He maintains a private law practice. Does he represent foreign governments or foreign persons in that private law practice?

HEGSETH: Uhh, I don’t know. 

CROW: You don’t know? Somebody who is sitting in your meetings, a special advisor, you don’t know?

Does he represent any senior officers who are currently under consideration for promotion by you or your office?

HEGSETH: The only person that makes determinations about senior officers is me.

CROW: Answer the question. Does he represent senior officers who are under consideration for promotion by you?

[Crosstalk]

HEGSETH: No, I’m the one that makes decisions about choosing…

CROW: Does he represent them, Mr. Secretary?

HEGSETH:…and finding senior officers.

CROW: Does he represent them?

HEGSETH: He doesn’t represent anyone. He’s a legal advisor and always has been.

CROW: But he has clients, does he not?

HEGSETH: He’s a legal advisor to me on reserve duty, and he always has been and he does a fantastic job.

[Crosstalk]

CROW: Is it true that Mr. Parlatore was removed… 

HEGSETH: You’re playing a losing hand whatever your…

CROW:…I reclaim my time. Is it true that Mr. Parlatore was removed from an investigation by the White House last year?

HEGSETH: I don’t know what you’re referring to, but not that I’m aware of.

CROW: You’re not aware of it. Well is it true that you were also removed from that same investigation? 

The answer is yes.

HEGSETH: Uhh, no, not that I’m aware of.

CROW: You’re not aware of it, that’s interesting. Well, is it true that Mr. Parlatore disparaged President Trump?

HEGSETH: Uhh, I don’t know what you’re referring to but no.

CROW: Is it true that Mr. Parlatore was accused by President Trump and his lawyers of lying?

HEGSETH: What you’re accused of is a cute line of questioning that’s going nowhere.

CROW: Well it’s going somewhere, which is why you’re not answering the question. Was it true that he was accused of lying by the President’s legal team?

[Crosstalk]

HEGSETH: I’m not familiar, you’d have to give me the context of the article…

CROW: Well it’s right here, you want to look at the statement from President Trump’s legal team.. 

HEGSETH:…anyone can blow up a quote and claim it says something, and that’s what you’re doing in a little stunt 

CROW: Secretary Hegseth, what I’m really concerned about is you purport to have unfaltering loyalty to President Trump, and yet you are continuously…

HEGSETH: Oh, you care a lot about President Trump, don’t you?

CROW: …I reclaim my time. You’re going behind his back and appointing people…

HEGSETH: This is a cute waste of your five minutes…

CROW: …I reclaim my time.

HEGSETH:…a huge cute waste of your five minutes that led nowhere.

CROW: I reclaim my time. You are repeatedly going behind President Trump’s back, appointing people who he has accused of lying, who the White House has accused of lying, and you are not being honest with President Trump. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, California Aerospace Caucus Co-Chairs Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) and Ken Calvert (R-CA) introduced a resolution to establish the first Friday in May as National Space Day. The National Space Day Resolution recognizes the significant positive impact of the aerospace community on the United States’ scientific and economic development.

“The United States is a country defined by curiosity and exploration,” said Congressman Lieu. “My congressional district is the launchpad for some of our nation’s foremost aerospace innovators, including Space Systems Command at the Los Angeles Air Force Base. From the Apollo missions to today, the United States has led the world in space exploration. The aerospace community rockets past the boundaries of what once seemed impossible. Their stellar work furthers our country’s leadership in scientific and technological advancement, as well as our national security. I am pleased to introduce this resolution to recognize our aerospace community and recommit to investing in the innovation that makes their work soar.”

“Space Day is a tremendous opportunity to highlight America’s exploration and scientific discovery. California continues to lead the way and make out of this world contributions that lift up America’s space industry,” said Congressman Calvert.

Read the full text of the resolution here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA) voted in favor of a series of six bipartisan bills modernizing the John H. Chafee Foster Care Program for Successful Transition to Adulthood.

The markup follows a roundtable featuring First Lady Melania Trump earlier this month, during which she advocated for these pro-family policies as part of her Fostering the Future Initiative.

“Strong families create strong communities. We must ensure families and children are set up for success, so no one has to endure hardships and trauma when all they are seeking is a loving home,” Rep. Kelly said. “Children are 25 percent of our population, but they are 100 percent of our future.”

The bills are:

BACKGROUND

Each year, nearly 16,000 foster youth age out of the foster care program. Young adults who age out of foster care at age 18 experience high rates of homelessness and are less likely to graduate from high school, gain employment, or enroll in post-secondary education compared to their peers. 

The Government Accountability Office published a report last year that found states have been returning Chafee funds since at least 2007. Each year, 30 or so states return about $6 to $11 million, despite evidence of unmet need.

Learn more about Rep. Kelly’s work supporting foster care initiatives here and here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Washington, DC)—On Thursday, April 30, 2026, Congressman Al Green released the following statement:

“Yesterday’s decision by the Supreme Court regarding Louisiana’s congressional maps is a profound setback for voting rights and representative democracy. At a time when our nation should be strengthening access to the ballot and ensuring fair representation for all Americans, this ruling instead turns back the clock on the Civil Rights Movement and decades of progress.

The Court’s decision undermines the principle that every voice deserves to be heard and that electoral maps must reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. For generations, Americans have fought to dismantle barriers that dilute the voting power of marginalized communities. This ruling threatens to erode those gains and signals a troubling retreat from the protections that have helped move our democracy forward.

If we are indeed being forced to revisit the struggles of the 1960s, then we must be prepared to meet this moment with the same resolve those struggles required. Protestation is not only appropriate, it is essential. Peaceful protest has always been a cornerstone of progress in this country, and it remains one of the most powerful tools the American people have to demand justice and accountability. 

I stand with those who believe in a fair and inclusive democracy. I will continue to work alongside my colleagues in Congress as well as activists and communities across the nation to ensure that the right to vote is protected and that our electoral systems reflect the will of the people, not the interests of a few.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

April 29, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) Buddy Carter (R-Ga.), Terri Sewell (D-Ala.), Aaron Bean (R-Fla.), Mike Thompson (D-Calif.), Greg Murphy (R-N.C.), and Nathaniel Moran (R-Texas) today introduced the Save America’s Family Forests Act. This bill would allow forest landowners to immediately expense reforestation costs following a qualified natural disaster, accelerating recovery and reinvestment in rural economies.
“In Florida, our family forests face constant threats from hurricanes and severe flooding that can wipe out years of timber production overnight. When disaster strikes, family forest landowners need tax relief when replanting costs hit, not years later. That’s why I’m co-leading the Save America’s Family Forests Act. This bill extends proven expensing policies to family forests in the wake of natural disasters so can recover faster, supply affordable timber, and support rural economies,” said Rep. Greg Steube.
“Georgia’s family forest landowners are essential to our economy and our way of life,” said Rep. Carter “It’s the number one state for forestry, supporting rural jobs, strengthening supply chains, and keeping our environment healthy and resilient. By building on proven expensing policies, this bill ensures they can recover quickly after disasters and continue managing healthy, productive forests,” said Rep. Buddy Carter. 
“Alabama’s Black Belt and rural communities depend on healthy, working forests for jobs and economic opportunity. As wildfires and severe weather events become more frequent, we must help landowners recover and rebuild. I’m honored to join my colleagues in advancing this bipartisan effort to support family forest landowners,” said Rep. Terri Sewell.
“Northeast Florida’s forests are essential to our environment and our economy, and they’re under real strain from ongoing wildfires. Family forest landowners and the timber industry play a vital role in restoring these lands, but they need the flexibility to recover and replant quickly after damage. The Save America’s Family Forest Act gives them that support, helping Florida’s forestry families keep their land productive and our natural resources strong for the future,” said Rep. Aaron Bean.
“After catastrophic wildfires and other natural disasters, forest landowners face unnecessary delays in reforesting due to outdated tax policy. The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides the certainty landowners need to reinvest quickly, restore forest cover, and keep these landscapes healthy. Proud to serve as a co-lead of this bipartisan legislation to strengthen our natural resources,” said Rep. Mike Thompson. 
“North Carolina’s family forest landowners face growing risks from storms and natural disasters, especially after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, and they need commonsense tax policy that supports recovery. The Save America’s Family Forests Act helps keep working forests productive and in family hands by accelerating reforestation investment when it matters most, while also supporting efforts to expand domestic timber production and strengthen our rural economies,” said Rep. Greg Murphy.
“Rural communities across America need champions who understand what’s at stake. This legislation gives forest landowners the tools to act fast, protect their investment, and keep their land productive for generations to come. America’s timber industry needs parity when it comes to relief and recovery from natural disasters. This bill ensures the tax code is working for them, not against,” said Rep. Nathaniel Moran.
“Outdated tax policy shouldn’t penalize family forest owners for doing the right thing after a natural disaster. Forcing landowners to wait years to recover reforestation costs only delays recovery and discourages reinvestment in working forests. Florida Farm Bureau strongly supports the Save America’s Family Forests Act because it delivers a commonsense fix—allowing landowners to expense reforestation costs when they’re incurred. This bill will accelerate recovery, strengthen rural economies, and help ensure America’s family forests remain productive and sustainable for generations to come.” —Jeb S. Smith, President, Florida Farm Bureau Federation
“Private working forests play a vital role providing wildlife habitat and access for sportsmen and women, but as recent natural disasters have shown, recovery costs can impede forest restoration. We thank the bill sponsors for introducing the Save America’s Family Forests Act to modernize federal tax policy to help landowners keep forests working sustainably for wildlife, rural communities, and opportunities for hunters and anglers.”—Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation
“Family forest landowners play a vital role in keeping America’s working forests healthy, resilient, and productive, but recovering from natural disasters can create significant financial challenges. The Save America’s Family Forests Act provides a commonsense solution by allowing landowners to reinvest more quickly in reforestation when it matters most. By building on proven expensing policies, this legislation will help ensure our forests remain a strong foundation for rural economies, domestic timber production, and long-term environmental stewardship.” —Forest Landowners Association
Background:Forest landowners do not have access to federal crop insurance, leaving them exposed to major losses after hurricanes, wildfires, and other natural disasters. Currently, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) allows landowners to recover reforestation costs over 8 years. Once timber is harvested after replanting or acquisition, the taxpayer’s basis is generally exhausted, limiting tax relief that could be claimed through casualty loss if natural disaster strikes in the future.
At the same time, forest landowners are required to amortize replanting costs over several years, delaying relief when disasters strike. The Save America’s Family Forests Act fixes this by allowing forest landowners to expense replanting costs immediately after a qualified natural disaster, helping family forest landowners strengthen rural economies that rely on them most.
Read the bill text here.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Release Your Taxes Act, legislation to require Members of Congress and candidates for Congress to publicly disclose their tax returns—bringing greater transparency and accountability to Washington.

Rep. Stevens released her own 2025 tax returns ahead of Tax Day and now she is introducing legislation to require all Members of Congress to do the same.

“Ahead of Tax Day, I released my 2025 tax returns, and now I’m urging all Members of Congress and candidates for Congress to do the same,” said Rep. Stevens. “I’m not a millionaire, and at a time when Michiganders are sick and tired of politicians running for office to get rich, we owe the public the transparency they deserve.”

The Release Your Taxes Act:

• Requires Members of Congress and candidates for Congress to annually disclose their tax returns to the Clerk of the House of Representatives and Secretary of the Senate within two days of filing with the IRS.
• Requires new candidates for Congress to disclose their tax returns within thirty days of filing to run for office.
• Requires Members of Congress and candidates for Congress to disclose their 2025 federal tax returns within 30 days of enactment of this law.
• Requires the Clerk of the House of Representatives and the Secretary of the Senate to create a public database of Members of Congress and Congressional candidates’ tax returns, and display the names of all Members and candidates not in compliance with this law.
• Defines tax returns as Form 1040 and Schedule A of a federal tax return, as well as any application for a filing extension or explanation why a return was not filed.

The bill applies to tax years 2025 and beyond, setting a clear, forward-looking standard for transparency. This is Rep. Stevens’ latest effort to help increase transparency and accountability in Congress. She introduced the No Getting Rich in Congress Act earlier this year.

Text of the bill is available here.

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

Washington, DC — Today, Congresswoman Haley Stevens (D-MI) released the following statement in response to the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais:

“The right to vote, and have every American’s vote matter equally, is foundational to our democracy. Generations of Americans put their lives on the line to secure that Constitutional right and generations of Americans have benefited from the protections of the Voting Rights Act.

“For decades, the Supreme Court has undermined that landmark law, culminating in today’s decision which opens the door for states to racially gerrymander their districts and sets us back on centuries of progress. This shameful Republican effort is an echo of a bygone era to dilute the vote of Black Americans, cheat their way out of losing power, and trample on the ideals our nation was founded on.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

DelBene Statement on Republican Budget Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (April 29, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement on the U.S. House vote on S. 1318: Foreign Intelligence Accountability Act:

“Since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, we have faced a Constitutional dilemma, how to balance the constitutional responsibilities of the federal government to ‘provide for the common defense,’ while simultaneously protecting an individual’s right to privacy, and ensuring due process. Since the passing the Patriot Act, I have opposed the government intrusion into a U.S. citizen’s private communications without the due process requirement of obtaining a search warrant. With my experience in military intelligence, I also understand the importance of FISA in deterring attacks on the United States, our citizens, and allies. This is why I fought hard to impose reforms in FISA, to strike a balance between the government’s responsibility to provide safety and individual right to privacy.

“With the recently adopted reforms yielding positive results, and additional enhancements to ensure compliance, I believe the legislation just passed continues to allow those charged with the defense of the U.S. the tools and authority necessary to maintain our national security, while also protecting the rights of Americans. Individual liberty is paramount to a free society, and I am confident that this legislation is sufficient in maintaining that liberty.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington D.C. (April 29, 2026) | Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-GA) issued the following statement following the U.S. House vote on S.Con.Res 33: Setting forth the congressional budget for the United States for fiscal years 2027 through 2035.

“Border security and immigration enforcement are vital elements of any sovereign nation and are too important to be left unfunded. I continue to believe that Homeland Security should be funded in its entirety through proper annual appropriations; but the ability to ensure ICE and Border Patrol can operate without the threat of constant interruptions is vital to our national security.

“Americans consistently show support for enforcing secure borders and the removal of foreign criminals, and my Republican colleagues and I are using every avenue available to deliver on this issue, as our colleagues across the aisle stand in opposition to the rule of law. Protecting the American homeland should be a core function of our government, and this legislation allows us to ensure that it will.”