Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) announced that the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) selected Louisiana’s proposal for the new Advanced Air Mobility and Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing (eVTOL) Integration Pilot Program (eIPP).
Louisiana’s project, taking place at the Houma-Terrebonne Airport, will test transportation capabilities for cargo and personnel for flights over the Gulf of America, and to crucial locations for the energy industry in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi.
Congressman Higgins was a vocal advocate for this selection, delivering two letters to DOT and FAA leadership in support of the project. Read Congressman Higgins’ letter here and a letter from the Louisiana Delegation here.
“The Houma-Terrebonne Airport is uniquely equipped for this important pilot program,” said Rep. Higgins. “I’m proud to have been a consistent voice of support for Louisiana’s bid, and I’d like to thank Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford for choosing our state to be a partner for this endeavor.”
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), the top Democrat on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, today blasted the Trump Administration after reports the Department of Health and Human Services would reassign staff at the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and demanded any affected staff return to the WTCHP.
“These staff should never have been moved in the first place and should be restored to the World Trade Center Health Program. This is a monstrous betrayal, but Trump’s abandonment of 9/11 survivors and first responders is nothing new,” Pallone said. “I helped to create the World Trade Center Health Program because these survivors and first responders are some of our best examples of bravery, selflessness, and American excellence. Now their health care program is being torn apart to staff a rogue agency that tramples on American values and shoots our citizens in the street. The hardworking staff of the 9/11 health program shouldn’t be ripped away from the heroes they serve and forced to advance ICE’s inhumane and authoritarian immigration policies terrorizing our communities.”
The WTCHP provides monitoring and treatment to more than 145,000 responders and survivors across all 50 states. Pallone has repeatedly condemned the Trump Administration’s actions affecting the WTCHP’s ability to care for patients, including the firing of twenty percent of its employees.
Pallone sent a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. on February 28, 2025, in strong opposition to the layoffs. The Trump Administration then reversed course and restored personnel who had been fired. Pallone also secured additional long-term funding for WTCHP to continue until at least 2040.
Pallone continued to demand accountability from Secretary Kennedy at the June 24, 2025, hearing at the Energy and Commerce Committee, warning that the staff upheaval and halting of certifications would break America’s commitment to sick responders and survivors. On the 24th anniversary of the attacks, Pallone once again demanded answers and blasted the Administration’s continued silence.
“I fought to keep the World Trade Center Health Program intact and funded, and the Trump Administration should use that money to hire up to its full capacity and bring back those who were reassigned to ICE. These survivors deserve nothing less,” Pallone said.
Pallone has been a tireless advocate for 9/11 survivors and first responders, being instrumental in passing the bipartisan James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act of 2010 establishing the WTCHP.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL)
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) and U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), both members of the Senate Environmental Justice Caucus, and U.S. Representative Brad Schneider (D-IL-10), Co-Chair of the bipartisan Ethylene Oxide Task Force, today released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s proposal to roll back a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that protected Americans from harmful exposure to ethylene oxide (EtO), a known carcinogen:
“We have known for decades that ethylene oxide poses a serious threat to human health, increasing the risk of leukemia and cancer to those exposed. Despite this, the Trump Administration’s EPA has proposed weakening protections on EtO emissions, unquestionably threatening the health of those working at or living near sterilization facilities.
“Illinoisans—especially those near medical equipment sterilization facilities in Waukegan and Gurnee—deserve robust protections and an EPA that prioritizes their health. We urge the Trump Administration to follow the science and uphold strong safeguards that protect public health, ensure transparency for impacted communities, and guarantee that no family has to live with unnecessary cancer risks simply because of where they reside.”
In 2024, the Biden Administration’s EPA implemented a new rule to tighten emission limits, monitoring, and controls for commercial sterilization facilities that use EtO. The rule, which covered plants like Medline in Waukegan, Illinois and Vantage in Gurnee, Illinois, aimed to reduce EtO emissions by 90 percent by installing effective, achievable air pollution controls and preventing toxic emissions from reaching the communities in which these facilities operate. Today, the Trump Administration’s EPA moved to loosen the limits implemented through the Biden-era rule.
In November 2023, Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider released a statement regarding a report released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) evaluating the public health impacts of the EtO, a cancer-causing agent, emitted from the now-closed Sterigenics medical sterilization facility in Willowbrook, Illinois. In the report, ATSDR concluded that, prior to February 15, 2019, long-term breathing of air within one mile of the Sterigenics facility is a concern for increased lifetime risk of cancer associated with EtO exposure, due to the gas’ concentration in the air during the sterilization operations at the facility. The report also found that the air within a mile of the facility no longer poses significant risk to residents as the Sterigenics facility is no longer operational.
Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider have been strong advocates for addressing the unacceptable level of EtO emissions. In July 2023, the lawmakers led a letter signed by 40 Members of Congress to EPA supporting the Biden Adminsitration’s proposed EtO sterilizer rule. Durbin, Duckworth, and Schneider have also previously introduced legislation that would require EPA to update EtO emissions standards to reflect the stricter criteria outlined in EPA’s 2016 IRIS study. Under the bill, any updates to the emissions standards would have to incorporate the maximum achievable control technology requirements to exhaust vents and apply to both area and major sources, which covers plants like Sterigenics. It would also require EPA to undergo a residual risk assessment following implementation of the new rule, which is a stringent and public-health focused review of the rule’s impacts.
The lawmakers have also met with the CEO of Sotera Health, the parent company of Sterigenics; convened meetings with then-EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler on the issue; and sat down with Willowbrook residents.
EtO serves a variety of industrial purposes, including as a sterilizer for 50 percent of sterile medical devices. In 2016, EPA identified EtO as a human carcinogen and included the chemical in the National Air Toxics Assessment. Subsequently, EPA identified communities that faced potentially dangerous levels of EtO emissions from 86 EtO commercial sterilizers in the U.S.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Julia Brownley (D-CA)
Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Julia Brownley (CA-26) joined Democratic Women’s Caucus Vice Chair U.S. Representative Emilia Sykes (OH-13) and 23 fellow members of the Democratic Women’s Caucus (DWC) in a letter demanding Trump’s Department of Education revise a proposed rule that would disproportionately harm funding for women graduate students and worsen workforce shortages in critical professions.
In a letter to Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon, the Members warned that by narrowing the definition of ‘professional students’ to exclude registered nurses, physician assistants, physical therapists, educators, and social workers, RIN 1840-AD98 (proposed rule) would prevent students in these professions from qualifying for greater loan assistance.
The Members explained that the proposed rule worsens Trump and Republicans’ attacks on women graduate students’ ability to pay for school, which Trump and Republicans’ launched in their so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“Following the enactment of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, proposed rule RIN 1840-AD98 would separate ‘professional’ and ‘graduate’ students under the law’s new degree definitions to enforce the new loan caps. Notably, the rule would define students in women dominated fields, like nursing, education, and social work as ‘graduate students’ rather than ‘professional students.’ As a result, these ‘graduate students’ would have a cap of $20,500 per year with a lifetime maximum of $100,000 in student loans. In comparison, ‘professional students’ can borrow up to $50,000 a year with a $200,000 lifetime maximum.”
The Members warned that these loan caps will result in increased financial hardship for women pursuing these degrees.
“Women pursuing these degrees dedicate two or three years of their lives and thousands of dollars to achieving them, while managing significant time commitments outside the classroom. Unlike undergraduate programs, these degrees include intense field work by placing nursing students in clinicals and prospective educators in classrooms. The intensive demand for these programs leaves little time for alternative financial options. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act’s graduate student loan limit of $20,500 per year will prevent women from affording their multi-year programs that cost more than the new student loan limit. For example, the average cost of graduate nursing school each year is $30,000.”
The Members also warned that this rule would hurt women’s financial stability and would make it harder for people across the country to access essential services like health care, counseling, and crisis intervention.
“Women constitute 89% of registered nurses, 73% of teachers, and 83% of social workers. Yet, each field faces significant shortages. The women in these jobs keep our families healthy, our communities safe, and teach our kids valuable lessons and skills. We must bolster the number of women entering these professions. Instead, the Department is going to worsen the workforce shortages in these women dominated fields and limit access to quality health care and education for our communities.”
The Members concluded the letter by urging the Department to withdraw or revise the proposed rule and ensure women-dominated professions aren’t unfairly excluded from adequate loan access.
“The Democratic Women’s Caucus is dedicated to building a future where all women and families can thrive. Women must have access to affordable education and have the freedom to pursue their chosen career. Similarly, essential workforces, like health care and education, must be bolstered to effectively serve our communities. We call on the Department of Education to modify proposed rule RIN 1840-AD98 and maintain women’s access to student loans.”
In addition to Rep. Julia Brownley and letter lead Rep. Emilia Sykes, the letter was signed by Reps. Yassamin Ansari, Joyce Beatty, Sarah Elfreth, Teresa Leger Fernández, Sarah McBride, Kelly Morrison, Brittany Pettersen, Chellie Pingree, Delia Ramirez, Emily Randall, Deborah Ross, Andrea Salinas, Janice Schakowsky, Hillary Scholten, Lateefah Simon, Melanie Stansbury, Dina Titus, Rashida Tlaib, Jill Tokuda, Lori Trahan, Nydia Velázquez, Nikema Williams, and Frederica Wilson.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today introduced the Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026, which would allow people called for jury duty who are breastfeeding to be excused from jury service in federal court and in the federally controlled D.C. Superior Court upon their request. Norton says a constituent raised this issue in a letter to her office. The health benefits of breastfeeding are so well-documented that Norton wanted to bring jury service in line with existing federal policy that encourages breastfeeding.
“Breastfeeding has well-documented health benefits for infants and families,” Norton said. “Requiring nursing parents to serve on jury duty can create an unnecessary barrier to breastfeeding and place added strain on families during a critical time for a child’s development. My bill would allow people who are breastfeeding to be excused from jury service so they’re not forced to choose between fulfilling a civic duty and caring for their child. This legislation builds on my efforts to support breastfeeding nationwide, including my bill requiring federal facilities to provide lactation spaces, which wassigned into lawin 2019.”
Norton’s introductory statement follows.
Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton on the Introduction of the Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026
March 16, 2026
Today, I introduce the Jury Duty Exemption for Breastfeeding Act of 2026, which would allow breastfeeding individuals summoned for jury service in the federal courts or the Superior Court of the District of Columbia to be excused from service upon the individual’s request. The benefits of breastfeeding are well-documented, and individuals should not be deterred from breastfeeding by jury service.
This bill would apply to the D.C. Superior Court because Congress is the only legislative body that can mandate this exemption for the D.C. Superior Court. The D.C. Home Rule Act prohibits the D.C. Council from enacting any law relating to Title 11 of the D.C. Code, which governs jury service in the D.C. Superior Court.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)
“Hurt, frustrated and confused people become radicalized. And all too often, it’s religious minorities who bear the cost,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Protecting houses of worship is necessary but not sufficient. We need to attack the root cause – anti-Jewish hatred – by educating ourselves and holding our leaders accountable.”
Davie, FL – Today, U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25) convened local law enforcement and Jewish faith and community leaders at the David Posnack JCC to discuss how to keep houses of worship and communal spaces safer for congregants, children, and families.
Last Thursday, the Jewish community came under attack once again, this time in West Bloomfield Township, MI., after a man drove a vehicle through doors of Temple Israel. In recent months, similar assaults took place at synagogues and Jewish centers in Los Angeles, Jackson, Miss., Brooklyn and Toronto.
“Hurt, frustrated and confused people become radicalized. And all too often, it’s religious minorities who bear the cost,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Protecting houses of worship is necessary but not sufficient. We need to attack the root cause – anti-Jewish hatred – by educating ourselves and holding our leaders accountable.”
Under the Trump Administration, the Department of Homeland Security has imposed arbitrary, politicized restrictions on the Nonprofit Security Grant Program that have generated confusion and delays. In a letter last week, Wasserman Schultz highlighted bipartisan concern regarding long-overdue reimbursements for Nonprofit Security Grant Recipients, writing that “[f]aith-based institutions and community organizations at risk of attack must be able to access security funds without delay.”
The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has also harmed allocation of these grants. Democrats in the House and Senate have introduced bills to fund the Department of Homeland Security in full, including FEMA, which administers Nonprofit Security Grants, except for ICE and CBP. Unfortunately, Congressional Republicans have blocked these bills, illustrating their preference to shut down the whole department rather than negotiate with Democrats to implement common-sense immigration enforcement reforms.
Wasserman Schultz was joined by representatives from the Broward Sheriff’s Office (BSO), BSO Cooper City District, BSO Dania Beach District, BSO Weston District, Davie Police Department, Fort Lauderdale Police Department, Hallandale Beach Police Department, Pembroke Pines Police Department, Plantation Police Department, Chabad of Southwest Broward, David Posnack Jewish Community Center, Jewish federation of Broward County, Ramat Shalom Beth Israel, Secure Community Network, Temple Beth Am, Temple Dor Dorim, Temple Solel, and Young Israel of Hollywood.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)
WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) announced today thatAlex (Stepahin) Rosemondwill serve as his new Chief of Staff. Rosemond will replace current Chief of Staff Luke Blanchat, who will join the Government Affairs team at Checkmate Government Relations after more than two years leading the team.
“Alex has been an integral part of our team, playing a key role in advancing our legislative priorities and serving the people of North Carolina,” said Rep. Hudson. “She understands our district, our mission, and the work required to deliver results for North Carolina families. I’m confident she will do an outstanding job leading our team as Chief of Staff.”
Rosemond currently serves as Hudson’s Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative Director, a role she has held since January 2025. She previously served as Legislative Director, beginning in January 2023, and has helped guide the office’s policy work on issues such as health care, telecommunications, defense, and appropriations.
Prior to joining Hudson’s office, Rosemond served as a Senior Legislative Assistant for Representatives Kevin Hern (OK-01) and Dan Bishop (NC-08), and as a Legislative Assistant for Representative Jodey Arrington (TX-19). She also previously served in the office of U.S. Senator Richard Burr and on the House Ways and Means Committee’s Social Security Subcommittee.
Rosemond is a native of Holly Springs, North Carolina, and a graduate of Virginia Tech.
“Luke has been an exceptional leader for our team and a trusted advisor to me,” Hudson added. “I’m grateful for his service to the people of North Carolina and wish him and his family the very best in the future.”
Blanchat has served as Hudson’s Chief of Staff since 2023 and previously held senior roles in North Carolina public service, including positions in Senator Thom Tillis’s office and in the private sector.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)
Dear Colleague:
I write with respect to the upcoming legislative work week in Washington. The Department of Homeland Security has been shut down for more than 30 days because Donald Trump and Republican extremists refuse to get ICE under control.
Meanwhile, hardworking employees of the TSA, CISA, Coast Guard and FEMA have been forced to work without pay. Republicans continue to spend taxpayer dollars to fund ICE brutality against American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families. At the same time, Donald Trump and his sycophants in Congress are spending billions to drop bombs in the Middle East, instead of restoring their cuts to Medicaid and nutritional assistance for millions of children, veterans, seniors and everyday Americans.
Republicans have been in complete control of the federal government for 15 months and have done nothing to make life more affordable. Rather, grocery bills are out of control, housing costs have risen, health insurance premiums are skyrocketing and gas prices are through the roof. Instead of addressing the affordability crisis, Republicans claim that it is a hoax. The toxic GOP agenda includes endless war, regime change, ICE brutality, reckless Trump tariffs and peddling Islamophobia. The American people deserve better.
Upon our return, House Democrats will discharge legislation put forth by Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Rosa DeLauro that funds the TSA, FEMA, Coast Guard, CISA and the parts of the Department of Homeland Security that do not include ICE and the Trump mass deportation machine. We will launch the discharge petition effort on Wednesday, March 18 — the first day it ripens — on the Capitol Steps at 12:00 p.m. I urge all members to join us as we press Republicans for an up-or-down vote on legislation to protect our hardworking federal civil servants.
At the same time, House Democrats will continue to demand changes to ICE that are bold, meaningful and transformational. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. That is not what is happening right now.
The extreme Republican policy of mass deportation has resulted in the cold-blooded killing of two American citizens and the wasting of billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize communities throughout the country. This must end. We have succeeded in our effort to rid the country of Kristi Noem at the helm of DHS. However, a change in personnel is not sufficient, particularly with the malignant Stephen Miller at the White House. The American people deserve a dramatic change in policy.
Thank you for your continued leadership as we fight to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system, get ICE under control and stop the reckless war of choice that Republicans have launched in the Middle East.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)
“The fact that Amazon is seeking favorable treatment from the Trump Administration while paying a far-above-market sum to produce and promote the Trump family’s film raises questions about Amazon’s exposure under federal anti-bribery law”
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Representative Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) led a new investigation into whether Amazon’s investment in theMelania documentary was part of a corrupt pay-to-play arrangement with the Trump administration.
Senator Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), along with Representatives Dan Goldman (D-N.Y.) and Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.), also joined the letter.
“[T]he American people deserve assurance that powerful corporations are not using their financial resources to gain political influence or favorable treatment at public expense—and that these corporations are not violating federal bribery laws,” wrote the lawmakers.
Amazon’s $40 million payment to license the film, along with a $35 million marketing budget, made“Melania”one of the most expensive documentaries ever made. The company reportedly beat the next highest bidder by about $26 million, leading industry expertsto question the commercial rationale behind the bid. Amazon reportedly does not even expect to break even from its investment, raising questionsabout whether Amazon’s financial commitment was a bribe.
An estimated 70 percent of the money Amazon paid to acquire the rights—roughly $28 million—will go directly to Melania Trump. In addition to the financial windfall, the deal gave Melania Trump a highly favorable portrayal that has led to the film being called “favorable propaganda,” along with public attention as a “movie star” in the words of President Trump at his State of the Union address.
At the same time, Amazon and owner Jeff Bezos have huge financial stakes in decisions pending before the administration, like:
Several antitrust suits: Amazon recently settled a lawsuit with the Federal Trade Commission over deceptive subscription practices that amounted to a slap on the wrist for the company. Amazon is also facing an FTC suit alleging illegal monopolization of online retail, and Amazon could benefit if the FTC litigates the case less aggressively or declines to pursue substantial monetary penalties or structural relief that could fundamentally reshape Amazon’s business model.
Potential tariff exemptions: In early February, reports indicated that the Trump Administration was considering exempting Amazon from upcoming tariffs on semiconductors.
Foreign trade deals: Amazon has lobbied the administration to use trade negotiations to bully other countries into dropping their regulations of tech companies. Amazon currently faces nearly a billion dollars in fines for potentially violating laws meant to protect consumers, regulate artificial intelligence, and break up monopolies.
Federal Contracts: Since President Trump reentered office, Amazon has won record-breaking cloud services contracts with immigration agencies, and has major cloud-computing contracts with other federal agencies as well. Mr. Bezos is actively seeking new federal contracts and has attempted to curry favor with Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and President Trump.
Tax Cuts: Amazon lobbies for tax cuts, and President Trump’s corporate tax cuts have “shaved billions off Amazon’s tax bill” to date. In 2025 alone, Amazon’s federal tax bill fell by roughly 87 percent, even as its pretax profits rose by nearly 45 percent.
Since President Trump’s 2024 election, Amazon has also donated$1 million to his inauguration fund, and an unknown sum to the President’s gold-encrusted White House ballroom. Federal bribery law makes it illegal to offer “anything of value,” including business opportunities and financial arrangements, to elected officials or people closely associated with them with the goal of influencing official acts.
“When corporate giants refuse to offer [] assurance [that they are not breaking federal anti-bribery laws] and instead transfer tens of millions of dollars to the family of a sitting President, that not only raises questions about corporate governance but also risks eroding public trust in the fairness of our economic and political systems,” concluded the lawmakers.
The members asked Amazon to explain, by March 30, 2026, its $40 million payment for the documentary, and clarify whether the company discussed its bid with Melania Trump directly or with anyone in the administration.
Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)
“The D.C. National Guard should not be subject to major structural changes imposed without the input of the people it exists to protect,” Norton said.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Upon learning that anew brigade has been activatedin the D.C. National Guard (DCNG) to coordinate miliary support for civil authorities, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) said that the major structural change imposed without D.C.’s consent yet again underscores the need for Congress to pass her bill to give the D.C. mayor control of the DCNG. Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) is co-leading the bill in the House and Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) leads the bill in the Senate.
“The D.C. National Guard should not be subject to major structural changes imposed without the input of the people it exists to protect,” Norton said. “Unlike every state in the nation, where the governor controls the National Guard, the president has authority over the D.C. National Guard. As we saw on January 6th, 2021, when deployment of the DCNG was delayed for hours while District officials tried to contact the president, D.C.’s forced reliance on federal officials to deploy its own National Guard has real consequences for the safety of more than 700,000 people who call the District home. My bill to place the D.C. National Guard under the authority of the D.C. mayor would correct this inequity and align the District with the longstanding practice in every state. The people of the nation’s capital deserve the same control over their Guard that Americans elsewhere have.
“After inciting a mob to attack the U.S. Capitol on January 6th, which also resulted in millions of dollars of property damage in D.C. neighborhoods, the irony of President Trump repeatedly citing his purported concern about public safety in the District is not lost on me.
“The creation of this new brigade and the activation of the D.C. National Guard without D.C.’s consent last fall underscore the necessity of D.C. statehood. Until D.C. gets the full protections that statehood would provide, my bill to give D.C.’s mayor control over the D.C. National Guard, like governors of states have over theirs, would place D.C. closer to having control over some of its most vital affairs and achieving equality with the states.”
The District of Columbia National Guard Home Rule Act would name the mayor of Washington, D.C. as Commander-in-Chief of the D.C. National Guard, giving the mayor the same control over the D.C. National Guard that the governors of the states and the three territories with National Guards have over their respective National Guards. Under current law, the president is commander-in-chief of the D.C. National Guard.