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Rep. Hank Johnson, Sen. Warren Lead New Investigation into Whether Amazon’s Melania Documentary Payments Were A Corrupt Pay-To-Play Scheme

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”

Text of Letter (PDF)

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 the Melania 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 experts to question the commercial rationale behind the bid. Amazon reportedly does not even expect to break even from its investment, raising questions about 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. 

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Norton Says Creation of New D.C. National Guard Brigade Underscores Need for Congress to Pass Her Bill Giving the D.C. Mayor Control of the Guard

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 a new brigade has been activated in 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.

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member House Committee on Foreign Affairs Democrats Demand Testimony from Rubio, Hegseth, Witkoff and Kushner on Iran War 

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

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, led all Committee Democrats in demanding Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, and Jared Kushner appear before the committee to testify on the decisions, diplomacy, and planning related to the Iran War. 

A PDF of the full letter can be found here. 

“These individuals, both drawn from the real estate industry rather than diplomatic or national security backgrounds, were placed in charge of one of the most consequential negotiations facing the United States. The decisions made during this process have now resulted in an unauthorized military conflict with Iran, with profound consequences for the security of the American people, the stability of the Middle East, and global energy markets that directly affect American families.  

“Congress has both a constitutional responsibility and a clear national interest in understanding how these negotiations were conducted, what diplomatic strategy guided them, and what planning preceded the use of military force. Yet despite repeated requests, the Administration has declined to make Mr. Witkoff or Mr. Kushner available for testimony or briefing before Congress… 

“Accordingly, we request that you:

  • Direct Mr. Steve Witkoff and Mr. Jared Kushner to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee for a public hearing at the earliest possible opportunity; and
  • Direct the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to appear before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, so Members of Congress can fulfill their oversight responsibilities, and the American people can better understand the Administration’s strategy toward Iran.” 
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Carbajal Statement on Trump Invoking Defense Production Act to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

Carbajal Statement on Trump Invoking Defense Production Act to Restart Offshore Oil Production in Santa Barbara County

Washington, March 13, 2026

U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal (D-CA-24) issued the statement below following the Trump administration’s announcement that they are invoking the Defense Production Act to advance Sable Offshore’s plans to restart offshore oil production at the Santa Ynez Unit.

“President Trump is using the war in Iran as a pretext to override the will of Santa Barbara County residents and the state of California. The reality is that restarting the Sable project would produce nowhere near enough oil to lower the skyrocketing gas prices families are facing. His reckless war is causing immense damage, and jamming the Sable project through is a hollow solution. Once again, the President is prioritizing Big Oil over the well-being of our community. I will continue to fight this federal overreach in Congress and stand with our local partners as they pursue legal challenges in court.”

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REP. MIKE THOMPSON APPLAUDS NAPA RENEWABLE NATURAL GAS PROJECT POWERED BY INFLATION REDUCTION ACT TAX CREDITS

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

Napa, CA — Congressman Mike Thompson (CA-04) applauded the City of Napa’s new anaerobic digestion system, a transformative clean energy project that will convert organic waste into renewable natural gas to power the city’s garbage and recycling trucks. The project is utilizing federal clean energy tax incentives secured by Congressman Thompson under the Inflation Reduction Act, including the 30% Investment Tax Credit (ITC) and an additional 10% Domestic Content Bonus Credit.

“This is a major win for Napa and for our climate,” said Thompson. “Instead of sending food scraps and organic waste to landfills where they produce harmful methane emissions, this system will capture that gas and turn it into clean, renewable fuel to power our city’s fleet. I’m proud to see the Inflation Reduction Act’s clean energy tax credits I secured are helping communities like Napa take real action on climate change while creating local jobs and strengthening American manufacturing.”

“This project has been over 15 years in the making and will further reduce our reliance on fossil fuels,” said Napa City Councilmember Beth Painter. “It is a model for how a small city like Napa can take big steps to address climate change. Congressman Thompson’s tax credits made this project possible. I could not be more proud of all who have contributed to this project.”

“We are excited to be partnering with the City of Napa, and Napa Recycling on this important carbon reducing project,” said Zero Waste Energy President Eric Herbert. “Not only will this project eliminate methane emissions from organic waste being disposed of currently from the service area, we will also be replacing the fossil fuel derived gas used by the trucking fleet with Renewable Natural Gas (RNG) generated from organic waste converted onsite. A truly circular solution. We appreciate the support that the ITC provides to this project. As an American manufacturing company, we are able to realize the full value of available credits offered through that program. Job creation, cleaner communities, and decarbonization is the result.”

The $30 million project will be constructed at the Napa Materials Diversion Facility, operated by Napa Recycling & Waste Services, and is expected to be operational by mid-2027.

Once complete, the system will:

  • Process between 32,000 and 44,000 tons of organic waste annually
    Generate approximately 350,000 diesel gallon equivalents of renewable natural gas each year — enough to fuel 36 waste collection trucks
    Reduce greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to removing approximately 21,000 passenger vehicles from the road over 10 years

In addition to producing renewable natural gas, the system will generate compost and liquid fertilizer as byproducts, further advancing Napa’s sustainability goals and helping the city meet state climate requirements.

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House Foreign Affairs Ranking Member Meeks, Warren Release Statement on Trump Administration’s Approval of Advanced AI Chip Sales to China 

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

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Gregory W. Meeks (D-NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and United States Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, released the following statement following the Trump administration’s decision to greenlight AI chip sales to China, which NVIDIA made public on February 25:

“In December, we called on the Department of Commerce to follow the law and provide us information about the Trump administration’s approval of any sale of advanced AI chips to China. We’ve finally received information about the administration’s first license approval and are now more concerned than ever that the Trump administration is undercutting U.S. national security by approving this sale. Congress must pass bipartisan legislation to prevent China from obtaining our advanced technology in order to protect U.S. economic and national security.” 

Last December, Ranking Members Meeks and Warren invoked the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 (ECRA), demanding that the Department of Commerce turn over information related to the administration’s plan to approve the sale of advanced AI chips to China despite the significant military application potential of this technology. 

Under ECRA, the Department of Commerce is required to provide any information obtained in administering the Export Administration Regulations, including license applications, upon the request of the ranking minority member of the appropriate committee. The administration was nearly two months late in providing the requested license information. The public disclosure of the details of those license applications is prohibited under ECRA, unless our committees “determine that the withholding of that information is contrary to the national interest.”

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Foster Delivers Over $16.3 Million for 11th District in Community Project Funding

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Foster (11th District of Illinois)

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced that 14 of the Community Project Funding requests he submitted on behalf of Illinois’ 11th Congressional District were funded for a total of $16,383,000. Project funding was included in the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations packages signed into law by President Trump. 

Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to request direct funding for projects that benefit the communities they represent. These projects are restricted to a limited number of federal funding streams, and only state and local governments and eligible non-profit entities are permitted to receive funding. 

“Since I was elected to Congress, I’ve remained committed to ensuring communities in Illinois and my district receive their fair share of federal resources,” said Foster. “That’s why I’m proud I secured over $16.3 million this year for 14 worthwhile projects back home. These initiatives will strengthen transportation infrastructure throughout the district, invest in clean drinking water and modernized sewer systems, and expand critical public safety and community services.”

In compliance with House Rules and Committee requirements, Congressman Foster has certified that he and his immediate family have no financial interest in any of the projects selected. Links to these certification forms are available below each project description.

The 14 projects that received funding are listed below in no particular order.

Illinois Route 47 Expansion and Water Main Relocation

Amount funded: $3,150,000

City of Woodstock

121 W. Calhoun St, Woodstock, IL 60098

The funding will support the City of Woodstock’s share of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s IL-47 widening project, which includes the relocation of a city-owned water main, upgrades to lights and traffic signals, pavement resurfacing, and the construction of roundabouts, sidewalks, and a multi-use path. This project will improve road safety and enhance opportunities for regional economic development and tourism in McHenry County.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Second Fire Station for the Village of Hampshire

Amount funded: $1,000,000

Hampshire Fire Protection District

202 Washington Ave, P.O. Box 245, Hampshire, IL 60140

With their current fire station hindered by railroad traffic, this funding was used for a second fire station in the Hampshire community – significantly improving emergency response time and increasing the fire station’s capacity to serve the growing community.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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City of Batavia Fox River Bike Path

Amount funded: $1,200,000

City of Batavia

100 N Island Avenue, Batavia, IL 60510

The funding will be used to construct a new segment of the Fox River Regional Trail with improved safety and guidance features. With the variety of outdoor recreational uses for pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists that the trail provides, this project will support its continued role as an economic driver for the region.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Eola Road Branch Library Renovation

Amount funded: $850,000

Aurora Public Library District

101 S River Street, Aurora, IL 60506

The funding will be used to renovate existing infrastructure at the Eola Road Branch: the busiest location of the Aurora Public Library District. This project will support the expansion and accessibility improvements needed to address diverse community needs including access to technology, language services, meeting rooms, educational programming, and space for after-school activities.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Village of Holiday Hills Sanitary Sewer Extension

Amount funded: $1,092,000

Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District (NMWRD)

113 Timber Trail, Island Lake, IL 60042

The funding will be used for the continuation of a multi-phased project extending NMWRD-owned sanitary sewers to two unsewered communities in a floodplain, thereby improving quality of life and water safety for the Village of Holiday Hills and surrounding communities.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Weber Road Corridor Improvements: 135th Street to Airport Road

Amount funded: $850,000

Will County

302 N Chicago Street, Joliet, IL 60432

The funding will be used to complete the final segment of the Weber Road corridor improvements with increased accessibility for pedestrians and motorists.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Equipping the Kane County Forensic Laboratory

Amount funded: $1,031,000

Kane County Coroner’s Office

37W699 IL-38, Building A, St. Charles, IL 60175

The funding will be used to purchase post-mortem toxicology testing equipment, validate DNA equipment, and implement a laboratory information management system. This project will help generate leads in criminal investigations, streamline the process of obtaining information related to pending court cases, and help determine the cause of death in a timely manner for grieving families.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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City of Aurora Homelessness Prevention

Amount funded: $1,000,000

City of Aurora

44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507

The funding will be used to renovate the existing Family Shelter space, or to acquire an expansion property to increase the availability of shelter and services for Aurora’s homeless community.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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91st Street Infrastructure

Amount funded: $750,000

DuPage County Division of Transportation

421 N County Farm Road, Wheaton, IL 60187

The funding will be used for the construction of a sidewalk and pedestrian lighting system to a local school and public transportation to assist families with limited income. This project will remove existing transportation barriers that contribute to the social and economic isolation of over 3,500 residents in this community.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Village of Wauconda Lead Service Line Replacement – Phase 1

Amount funded: $1,092,000

Village of Wauconda

101 N. Main Street, Wauconda, IL 60084

The funding will be used to replace 289 lead and galvanized service lines. This project is vital for protecting the health and safety of residents in the Village of Wauconda from potential lead contamination.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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City of Crystal Lake Lead Service Line Replacement

Amount funded: $1,092,000

City of Crystal Lake

100 W. Woodstock Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014

The funding will partially cover the cost to replace approximately 2,000 residential lead service lines in Crystal Lake. In addition to ensuring residents have safe drinking water, this project will also create job opportunities for construction workers and plumbers.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Springbrook Water Reclamation Center Expansion

Amount funded: $1,092,000

City of Naperville

400 South Eagle Street, Naperville, IL 60540

The funding will be used to partially cover the cost of expanding and upgrading the water treatment plant to remove grit and sludge. This project will extend the life of the facility and ensure all water discharged into the DuPage River is in compliance with state and federal regulations.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Darrell Road Collection System

Amount funded: $1,092,000

Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District (NMWRD)

113 Timber Trail, Island Lake, IL 60042

The funding will be used to provide sanitary sewer service to unsewered areas of Lake and McHenry Counties. NMWRD’s existing sewer infrastructure limits the growth potential of underdeveloped property and the addition of sewer conveyance and a lift pump station will remedy this barrier.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Lead Water Service Line Replacement

Amount funded: $1,092,000

City of Aurora

44 E. Downer Place, Aurora, IL 60507

The funding will be used to replace the remaining lead water service lines within the city’s system. This project has replaced an estimated 20,000 lead service lines to provide safe potable water and comply with state law.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Bergman Announces Major Additional FEMA Help From President Trump Following the Historic Ice Storm of 2025

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jack Bergman (MI-1)

Gaylord – Today, after months of collaborative effort from state, federal, and local leaders, Rep. Jack Bergman announced that FEMA has officially amended the disaster declaration for the March 2025 ice storm – opening additional funding through Public Assistance (PA) Category F for public utilities.

In addition to countless meetings, discussions, and advocacy on behalf of the affected counties, Rep. Bergman and his Republican colleagues in Michigan sent a letter to President Trump requesting that he overturn FEMA’s denial of certain categories of federal assistance following the historic ice storm. The letter recognized the incredible recovery efforts already underway while emphasizing that the work is far from finished and that communities still face significant challenges ahead.

Bergman has repeatedly warned that without additional federal support, the remaining recovery costs would ultimately fall on individual households and families across Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula – those least able to shoulder the burden.

Following FEMA’s amended declaration, Bergman thanked President Trump and partners across all levels of government for their work to secure this support.

“I’m grateful that President Trump corrected FEMA’s initial decision to deny key categories in the disaster declaration and ensured Northern Michigan was not left hanging out to dry,” Bergman said. “Through countless hours of work with my colleagues in Congress, Governor Whitmer, state legislators, and local leaders, we were able to deliver this critical support for the communities still recovering from this historic storm.”

Background:

In the months following the devastating March 2025 ice storm, Rep. Bergman worked continuously with federal, state, and local partners to secure essential disaster assistance for the impacted communities of Northern Michigan.

Rep. Bergman first supported Governor Whitmer’s May 16, 2025, request for a Major Disaster Declaration under the Stafford Act, emphasizing the widespread damage to homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure across thirteen counties and the need for federal support to supplement strained local resources.

As recovery efforts progressed, Rep. Bergman joined Senators Peters and Slotkin on June 9, 2025, in sending a letter to the Small Business Administration urging approval of the Governor’s request for a Rapid Disaster Declaration so that small businesses across the region could access federal disaster loans and begin rebuilding.

On June 25, 2025, Rep. Bergman led the full Michigan congressional delegation in sending a letter to President Trump reinforcing the need for federal disaster assistance and pressing for approval of the Governor’s request as communities continued to face substantial recovery costs.

When FEMA later denied certain categories of aid, on November 13, 2025, Rep. Bergman and the Michigan Republican delegation again appealed directly to the President to reconsider the decision and extend Public Assistance Category F and Individual Assistance to help households and electric cooperatives struggling with the financial burden of recovery.

Throughout this process, Rep. Bergman has remained in close communication with FEMA leadership to identify any available administrative or statutory flexibilities that could deliver additional financial relief to affected communities and not-for-profit utilities.

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Rep. Norcross Releases Statement on Trump Administration’s Strikes on Iran

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released the following statement on the Trump Administration’s strikes on Iran.

“Last night, President Trump unilaterally ordered a military strike against Iran. For decades, the Iranian regime has posed a persistent threat to U.S. national security, beginning with the 1979 hostage crisis and continuing through its pursuit of nuclear weapons capabilities, its role as a leading global sponsor of terrorism, and its oppression of the Iranian people.

“In response to the recent U.S. strike, Iran has reportedly launched attacks on four of the thirteen U.S military bases in the region, where more than 40,000 U.S. service members are currently stationed. In June of last year, the President asserted that Operation Midnight Hammer had “obliterated” Iran’s nuclear program. 

“The American people deserve to understand why this latest strike was undertaken, why it was initiated at this time, and what clear strategy exists to bring this situation to a responsible conclusion.

“Above all, we must ensure the protection of our troops abroad and safeguard religious institutions and vulnerable communities here at home from potential retaliation. I am therefore calling for an immediate classified briefing to Congress to fully explain the rationale for this action and the path forward.”

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Rep. Norcross Votes ‘Yes’ on War Powers Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) released a statement on his support for the War Powers Resolution. 

“As a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, I received classified briefings after Operation Epic Fury and am still left with serious questions. The American people deserve to know why this strike was undertaken at this time, why it happened now, and what strategy exists to prevent a wider conflict,” said Congressman Donald Norcross. “The Iranian regime has posed a persistent threat to U.S. national security for decades, is the leading global sponsor of terrorism, and has oppressed its own people. Undertaking a war in the Middle East without a full understanding of the conflict is not the right strategy and puts our servicemembers at risk. The War Powers Resolution makes clear that the President must go to Congress and justify any use of military force against Iran.”  

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