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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV)

Washington, D.C. – Since Congress created the Community Project Funding program in Fiscal Year 2022, Congresswoman Miller (R-WV) has secured $59,302,487 for southern West Virginia. Community Project Funding allows Members of Congress to put forward requests for direct funding for projects in their home districts to the Appropriations Committee.

Miller’s nearly $60 million has brought crucial funds to West Virginia’s law enforcement, economic development projects, hospitals, health networks, and water systems in southern West Virginia. Since FY2022, Miller has secured:

• $942,208 for Law Enforcement
• $12,423,439 for Economic Development
• $22,016,000 for Health Projects
• $23,920,840 for Water and Sewer Projects

One of Miller’s main focuses has been the water crisis in our southern coalfields. Of the nearly $24 million secured for water and sewer projects since FY2022, $1,200,000 has been appropriated directly to Wyoming County water projects, and $2,995,840 has been appropriated to McDowell County.

Building on this crucial funding, Miller also joined Rep. Riley Moore (R-WV) last July in introducing an amendment to the House Interior Committee’s Fiscal Year 2026 Department of the Interior, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act which successfully passed the House of Representatives. This amendment directed the EPA to provide information on the resources it has available to assist states and counties with a high prevalence of violations of drinking water regulations, such as Wyoming and McDowell Counties in southern West Virginia.

“I am grateful for Community Project Funding and that my role in Congress has allowed me to have an impact on southern West Virginia. I am especially thrilled to have secured nearly $24 million for water and sewer projects in my district. Clean drinking water is a necessity, but tragically, some communities in West Virginia struggle to access this basic need. I am committed to doing everything in my power to help these communities, whether through Community Project Funding or amendments to annual appropriations bills. I will continue working with my colleagues in Congress and the Trump Administration to deliver the support West Virginians need and deserve every day,” said Congresswoman Miller.

For Fiscal Year 2027, Miller has requested $70,430,000 for southern West Virginia projects and the funding is currently under consideration by the Appropriations Committee. Of this over $70 million being requested, $48,689,000 would go directly to water and sewer projects in West Virginia’s First Congressional District.

Background:

• In Fiscal Year 2026, Congresswoman Miller requested $750,000 to remove a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV, allowing for compliance with the Clean Water Act and improving the quality of life for 868 residential and commercial customers in McDowell County.
• In Fiscal Year 2025, Congresswoman Miller requested $750,000 to remove a Combined Sewer Overflow in Welch, WV.
• In Fiscal Year 2024, Congresswoman Miller secured $750,000 for the town of Pineville’s Brenton/Baileysville Waterline Extension Project that will provide water service to approximately 254 customers in Wyoming County.
• In Fiscal Year 2024, Congresswoman Miller secured $1,750,000 for the construction of a new sewer system in Davy, WV that will cut pollution going into the Tug Fork River and eliminate health hazards for the community in McDowell County.
• In Fiscal Year 2023, Congresswoman Miller secured $450,000 for the Wyoming County Commission to provide efficient, reliable, and safe public water to approximately 215 residents and businesses through the Hanover Waterline Extension Project.
• In Fiscal Year 2022, Congresswoman Miller secured $495,840 for the DigDeep Right to Water Project in Welch, WV that will provide sanitary septic and sewage service to 35 households and also provide clean water for the community in McDowell County, WV.
• Information for all Community Project Funding and Member Designated Funding requests can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar Leads Bipartisan Bill to Stop China From Purchasing U.S. Farmland

Today, Congressman John Moolenaar introduced the Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act. The legislation takes decisive action to safeguard U.S. national security and food security by closing gaps in federal oversight of foreign land acquisitions. For too long, foreign adversaries like China have been able to purchase American farmland and real estate near sensitive national security sites with limited scrutiny, and in many cases none at all. These purchases pose risks to critical infrastructure, military readiness, and the resilience of the U.S. food supply.

“Food security is national security, and we cannot allow foreign adversaries like China to buy up American farmland near our most sensitive military and critical infrastructure sites. This bipartisan legislation closes dangerous loopholes, presumptively bars foreign adversaries from purchasing land, and ensures the United States has the tools to stop these farmland deals before they threaten our security. It also implements the Trump Administration’s America First Investment Policy and USDA’s Farm Security Action Plan by giving the administration the authority needed to protect United States farmland and real estate near sensitive facilities. This a top concern of the American people and I hope Congress will act quickly to pass it into law,” said Moolenaar.

Moolenaar is the Chairman of the Hose Select Committee on China. His bill has bipartisan support from Representatives Ashley Hinson (R-IA), Dr. Neal Dunn (R-FL), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Dusty Johnson (R-SD), Zach Nunn (R-IA), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Pat Harrington (R-NC), Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Julia Brownley (D-CA), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), and Mike Thompson (D-CA). 

An exclusive article about this legislation featured in The Daily Wire was published this morning and can be read here. 

The Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites from Foreign Adversaries Act ensures that the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) has the jurisdiction necessary to address real estate transactions involving foreign adversaries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. It also deems the purchase by any foreign adversary of U.S. farmland and critical infrastructure as presenting an unacceptable risk to national, with limited exceptions. 

Moolenaar’s bipartisan legislation also establishes a new category of “elevated risk real estate transactions,” ensuring mandatory review of purchases involving farmland, ports, telecommunications infrastructure, and locations in proximity to military installations and intelligence facilities. Finally, the bill formally incorporates food security and agricultural biotechnology risks into CFIUS reviews and ensures the Secretary of Agriculture is included as a key voice in evaluating such transactions.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON– Today, U.S. Congressman Michael McCaul — chairman of the Homeland Security Committee’s Task Force on Securing the Homeland Amidst Special Events — introduced the Guard the Skies Act along with Representatives Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio), Eli Crane (R-Ariz.), and Josh Gottheimer (D-N.J.). The Guard the Skies Act grants the National Guard explicit authority to counter threats from unmanned aerial systems (UAS) — commonly known as drones — while remaining under the direction and control of state governors. Countering drone threats has been a top priority of the task force as our nation prepares to host the FIFA World Cup and celebrate America250. Reps. Michael Baumgartner (R-Wash.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Penn.) also joined the legislation as original cosponsors.

“From foreign adversaries to transnational criminal organizations, hostile actors have increasingly adopted drone technology to target critical infrastructure and innocent civilians. As the United States prepares to host millions of visitors for the FIFA World Cup, America250 celebrations, and eventually the Olympics, we must be prepared to intercept and neutralize this evolving threat,” said Chairman McCaul. “The Guard the Skies Act would leverage the National Guard — a force uniquely positioned for rapid deployment and crisis response — to protect our skies and the large-scale gatherings below. I’m grateful to my colleagues for joining me in this bipartisan effort to ensure these events reflect American excellence in every aspect, including our security posture.”

“Russia and Iran’s attacks on US servicemembers in the Middle East have underscored the urgent threat posed by unmanned systems,” said Rep. Kaptur. “That is why I am proud to help lead this legislation to expand counter-drone training in the United States. America must learn the lessons of modern warfare by strengthening our defenses against emerging threats. Unmanned systems are transforming the battlefield with major implications for national security. Just as the 180th Fighter Wing of the Air National Guard, which I am proud to represent in Northwest Ohio, protected our northern border and patrolled the skies after the September 11 attacks, we must be prepared to confront today’s challenges. This legislation is an important step toward strengthening our national security and equipping National Guardsmen with critical skills they can use both in service and civilian life.”

“As America prepares to host major global events, including the World Cup and the Summer Olympics, we cannot afford any gaps in our deterrence posture,” said Rep. Crane. “I’m honored to co-lead the Guard the Skies Act, which authorizes the National Guard to help protect critical facilities and events from hostile or unauthorized unmanned aircraft. I’m grateful for Chairman McCaul’s leadership in spearheading this effort, as well as the partnership of Reps. Gottheimer and Kaptur in advancing this bipartisan initiative.”

“Law enforcement needs every tool available at their disposal to keep spectators and communities safe at the upcoming World Cup,” said Rep. Gottheimer. “I’m proud to co-lead the Guard the Skies Act to ensure we have the resources necessary to combat drone threats and keep the skies above the World Cup secure.”

Background:

With the 2026 World Cup approaching, U.S. host cities will face an unprecedented, high-threat security environment. Securing this massive footprint requires a layered defense. The Safer Skies Act, which passed in the Fiscal Year 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, was an essential first step in granting State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial (SLTT) law enforcement the authority to counter rogue drones and localized threats. However, a sophisticated drone operation deployed by a malign actor would present a fundamentally different and more complex threat, requiring capabilities beyond the traditional scope and scale of civilian policing. With its rapid deployability, nationwide scalability, and extensive experience responding to domestic emergencies, the National Guard is uniquely positioned to assist federal and state authorities with C-UAS mitigation and unified coordination for events of this magnitude. The Guard the Skies Act would empower the National Guard to act as a crucial force multiplier, partnering with local authorities to help tackle complex airspace threats and ensure safe skies.

McCaul and Crane also recently wrote to administration officials, urging them to immediately deputize the National Guard under DHS and DOJ to perform counter-UAS mitigation at the FIFA World Cup. The Guard the Skies Act would provide more permanent and comprehensive authorities available to federal and state governments.

Click here to read full text of the Guard the Skies Act.

 Click here to read McCaul and Crane’s letter to the administration.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded STEP, Inc., based in Rocky Mount, Virginia, a $16,188 grant. The funding supports local head start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Ninth District communities access head start services thanks to the work of Solutions that Empower People, known as STEP.

“This HHS grant for more than $16,000 helps STEP administer its head start programs in the region.”

BACKGROUND

STEP’s head start network consists of teaching and educational professionals, as well as health advocates and transportation specialists. 

The awarding office of this grant is the HHS Office of the Administration for Children and Families.

STEP’s head start programs are supported by Franklin and Patrick County Public Schools, the Infant and Toddler Connection of Virginia, and Piedmont Community Services.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

CHICAGO — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) today joined NAMI Chicago, The Trevor Project, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, Victory Institute, Ald. Lamont Robinson, Channyn Lynne Parker of Equality Illinois, Nikki Patin of Brave Space Alliance, and other advocates and providers for a tour of NAMI Chicago’s call center followed by a press conference calling for the restoration of specialized LGBTQ+ crisis services through the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline, commonly accessed through the “Press 3” option.

During the tour, participants learned more about NAMI Chicago’s 988 operations and how trained crisis counselors provide immediate emotional support, safety planning, and connections to care. Speakers at the press conference emphasized the proven impact of 988 and the urgent need to restore specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth, which previously accounted for a significant share of Lifeline contacts.

“The 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ option was working for LGBTQ+ youth in crisis—connecting them to trained counselors who understood what they were going through—and the Trump Administration shut it down,” said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. “We know this service works, and we’ve heard directly from the young people who relied on it in their most vulnerable moments. I partnered with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to secure the funding to restore this program, but despite Secretary Kennedy’s recent testimony that it would be coming back, these services for LGBTQ+ youth are still offline. The Trump Administration needs to restore the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline’s ‘Press 3’ option now—every day it remains unavailable puts LGBTQ+ youth in crisis at risk.”

“Since becoming a 988 call center in January 2024, NAMI Chicago has answered more than 53,000 calls. Every call reminds us that crisis support must be easy to access, compassionate, and responsive to the person on the other end of the line” said Teri McKean, Director of Crisis Services at NAMI Chicago. “We are well equipped to support anyone who reaches out. At the same time, we know specialized support is a best practice, and LGBTQ+ young people deserve access to specialized expertise and connection to others with lived experience.”

“LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. are placed at higher risk for suicide not because of who they are, but because of how they are mistreated and stigmatized by others. And yet, we know that severe gaps in access to care for these youth persist; 50% of LGBTQ+ young people in the U.S. said they wanted mental health care in the past year, but were not able to get it,” said Gabby Doyle, Senior Manager of State Advocacy at The Trevor Project. “To end the public health crisis of suicide among LGBTQ+ young people, they need more resources – not fewer. The abrupt termination of the 988 Lifeline’s specialized services for LGBTQ+ youth left the more than 1.5 million LGBTQ+ young people who accessed the federal program without the life-saving care they came to rely on during their darkest moments. We urge the administration to restore these life-saving services, and we are grateful for Representative Krishnamoorthi’s efforts to advance the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ+ Youth Access Act to help fill critical gaps in crisis care. We hope that Congress will swiftly pass this bill into law.”

“Option 3 on the 988 line for LGBTQ Youth services is vital because it provides supportive services to a very vulnerable community,” said Toni Sutton of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago. “It’s critical to have services and supports from trained counselors and allies to this particular group of young people that address the unique challenges they face and meet their needs.”

“The rise in political violence documented in our recent report is not just a threat to democracy—it is a direct threat to the mental health of LGBTQ+ elected officials serving under constant pressure and fear,” said Evan Low, CEO & President, Victory Institute. “During Mental Health Awareness Month, we must recognize that the harassment, threats, and isolation many LGBTQ+ leaders face have real and lasting psychological consequences. That reality underscores the urgency of this moment and aligns with the awareness and advocacy led by the National Alliance on Mental Illness. No one should have to choose between serving their community and protecting their mental well-being. Supporting the mental health of LGBTQ+ elected officials is essential to building a safer, more inclusive, and more resilient democracy.”

“Due to persistent stigma and discrimination, LGBTQ+ youth face an elevated risk of suicide and are more than four times more likely to attempt suicide than their peers,” said Angela Cummings, executive director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP) Illinois Chapter. “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s specialized LGBTQ+ youth option was created to ensure young people in crisis can connect quickly with trained, affirming counselors. AFSP Illinois is proud to stand with Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, NAMI Chicago, and our partners in urging the swift restoration of this lifesaving resource.”

Krishnamoorthi has led efforts in Congress to restore and protect these services, including securing $33.1 million in Fiscal Year 2026 funding to support their reinstatement and introducing the bipartisan 988 LGBTQ Youth Access Act to ensure these services are permanently available nationwide. He has also pressed the Department of Health and Human Services to restart the program and follow through on commitments to bring it back online.

NAMI Chicago’s 988 call center operates seven days a week, answering the majority of the calls for Chicago and Cook County, in addition to operating its own Helpline for emotional support and connection to mental health resources. As one of the largest affiliates of the National Alliance on Mental Illness in the country, NAMI Chicago serves more than 40,000 people each year through crisis services, care coordination, peer support, education, and advocacy, including support groups for LGBTQ+ individuals and others seeking connection, information, and support.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA), and Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), co-chairs of the Congressional Career and Technical Education (CTE) Caucus, introduced the bipartisan Skill Savings Account Act.

This bill creates skill savings accounts for workers of all ages to use for education expenses including workforce development and nontraditional learning opportunities. Skill savings accounts can be utilized for a wide variety of workforce development opportunities including apprenticeships, online courses, credentials, short or long-term community college and university courses, bootcamps, certificates, skill accelerators, and more to give workers the opportunity to reskill and upskill throughout their careers.

Skill savings accounts allow for tax-free contributions from employers, workers, community investment organizations, family and friends, government agencies, and tax authorities to contribute to an individual’s skill savings account, which are portable and follow the individual worker throughout their working life.

“A skilled workforce drives our economic growth and it’s important that every American knows there is more than one path to a successful future,” Rep. Thompson said. “I am proud to lead the Skill Savings Account Act, this commonsense, bipartisan legislation will create a tool for workers to reskill and upskill, ensuring that everyone can climb the ladder of opportunity.”

“Investing in workforce development is investing in America’s economic future,” Rep. Bonamici said. “Skill savings accounts will allow more Oregonians to access continuing education, workforce training, and reemployment services to help workers and businesses thrive.”

“The U.S. Chamber of Commerce commends Reps. Thompson and Bonamici for introducing the Skill Savings Account Act,” said Rodney Davis, Head of Government Affairs of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “This bill offers workers and employers a practical, flexible tool to invest in skills development and training, helping address worker shortages and keep America’s workforce competitive.”

“The Skill Savings Account Act creates a portable, tax-advantaged tool that empowers learners and workers to invest in their own upskilling and reskilling, reflecting how today’s careers and related pathways actually unfold,” said Kate Kreamer, Executive Director of Advance CTE. “Career Technical Education (CTE) has long delivered the high-quality programs and pathways that learners need to cultivate in-demand skills, and Skill Savings Accounts can help complement this existing infrastructure with a worker-centered, demand-side investment. Advance CTE commends Representatives Thompson and Bonamici for their leadership on this issue and is pleased to endorse the Skill Savings Account Act.”

“By creating tax-advantaged accounts for education and training, this legislation expands access to high-quality learning opportunities, supports lifelong learning and strengthens the connection between education and workforce needs, helping more individuals gain the skills necessary to succeed in today’s economy,” said LeAnne Curry, Executive Director of ACTE. “ACTE appreciates Congressman Thompson for his continued support of career and technical education and for introducing this legislation.”

Specifically, this legislation would: 

• Create tax-free skill savings accounts for the purpose of paying the qualified education expenses of the account beneficiary, a portable account that follows a worker throughout their working life.
• Workers can contribute to their own skill savings accounts and/or receive contributions from employers, family and friends, government agencies, tax authorities, and community investment organizations.
• The total amount contributed by the employer shall not exceed $5,250 and the total amount contributed by an employee shall not exceed $10,000 in any calendar year.
• A skill savings account balance may not exceed $50,000

Read the full text here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [5/7/26] – Today Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Rep. John Mannion (D-NY), Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), and Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD) announced they will introduce a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s finalized rule that caps federal student loans and overhauls the student loan system.

 

The final rule unnecessarily limits the definition of a professional degree for the purpose of establishing federal loan caps, which will force future nurses, social workers, teachers, firefighters, physical and occupational therapists, and many others to turn to often predatory, high-interest private lenders to complete their degrees. It also officially eliminates the Grad PLUS program and creates new, less affordable loan repayment options for all borrowers. The CRA will be introduced as soon as the rule is officially received by Congress. 

 

“I’ve spoken with nurses, teachers, firefighters, and many others who are concerned about how the Trump administration is making it even harder and more expensive for students to enter these critical public service jobs,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “It is also absurd to take away more affordable student loan repayment plans at a time when families are struggling to cover costs as prices skyrocket for gas and other basic needs as a direct result of Trump’s reckless economic policy. These changes to the federal loan system are unacceptable and I will do everything I can to oppose them.” 

 

“Trump and Congressional Republicans’ ‘Big, Ugly Betrayal’ law is a direct attack on public service jobs across the nation, making it more difficult for hardworking Americans to access higher education,” said Senator Jeff Merkley. “By failing to classify nurses, teachers, firefighters, social workers, accountants, architects, and others as pursuing ‘professional’ degrees for student loans, the Trump Administration is undermining the future of critical professions. At the same time, this is driving up the cost of student loans for all professions by establishing costlier student loan repayment plans. We’re fighting like hell to roll back dangerous changes to federal student loans, so folks can continue to access the affordable loans they need to pursue their dreams.”

 

“The Trump Administration is making it harder for people to become nurses, social workers, counselors, and other essential professionals at the exact moment our communities need them most,” said Representative John W. Mannion. “This rule is arbitrary, short-sighted, and harmful to low- and middle-income students who do not have the luxury of paying out of pocket for an advanced degree, which is why I’m working with my colleagues on this legislation to repeal this shortsighted rule. We should be expanding access to educational opportunity, not creating new barriers to the workforce.”

 

“While working families struggle to buy groceries and put gas in their cars, the Trump Administration is sending a clear message to aspiring nurses, health care providers, social workers, teachers, and firefighters: If you can’t afford a high interest loan, then you can’t serve your community,” said Rep. Lauren Underwood. “This rule will undermine public health, and it’s a slap in the face to the millions of professionals who are doing critically important work to support the health and well-being of our families. It should be thrown out, and I’m proud to join my colleagues on this Congressional Review Act resolution to get it overturned.” 

 

“The Trump Administration is once again actively targeting the public servants who make up the bedrock of our communities – nurses, teachers, and social workers – by taking away their opportunities to access affordable student loans and forcing them into the clutches of private lenders,” said Senator Alsobrooks. “This new rule creates a deep inequity that will exacerbate nursing and educator shortages and is an insult to the hard working professionals that sacrifice every day to serve others.”

 

The final rule establishes an arbitrary list of 11 fields that are eligible for an aggregate borrowing limit of $200,000. Borrowers in programs excluded from the definition of “professional” – including nurses, social workers, teachers, firefighters, physical and occupational therapists, and more – will have a $20,500 annual borrowing limit and a $100,000 aggregate borrowing limit. This will worsen healthcare workforce shortages and disincentivize students from entering high-need fields where they might not be able to pay back the high costs of private loans. 

 

Millions of borrowers with outstanding student loans will also see their required monthly payment amounts increase by hundreds of dollars, dramatically exacerbating the affordability crisis. Changes to student loan repayment include significantly higher monthly loan payments and a mandated $50 minimum monthly payment under the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan, rather than allowing for lower amounts when the lender and borrower agree. Together, these changes will disproportionately affect low- and middle-income students and families. 

 

The text of the CRA can be read here. It is supported by: AASA, The School Superintendents Association; American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN); American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA); American Association of Nurse Practitioners (AANP); American College of Nurse-Midwives (ACNM); American Nurses Association (ANA); National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners (NAPNP); National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP); National Association of Social Workers (NASW); National Education Association (NEA); the National League for Nursing (NLN); the PA Education Association; National Rural Health Association; and American Academy of Physician Associates.

 

“It’s ironic that we find ourselves here at the start of National Nurses Week, a time when we are meant to celebrate and honor the very people who keep our health system running. And yet, the Department of Education has chosen to make it harder for nurses to advance their education and their careers,” said Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, MBA, RN, NEA-BC, FAAN, President of the American Nurses Association. “I want to thank Rep. Bonamici, Rep. Mannion, and Rep. Underwood for introducing a Congressional Review Act resolution to repeal the Department of Education’s final rule. As nurses, we are used to using every tool we have to treat our patients, and we need to use every tool at our disposal to repeal this rule. Otherwise, the effects of this rule will be felt in communities across the country, especially in rural areas where nurse practitioners, midwives, and nurse anesthetists are often the only providers of core healthcare services.”

“AACN applauds Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, Rep. John Mannion, Rep. Lauren Underwood, and Congressional leaders for pushing back on the Department of Education’s final rule and taking decisive action to champion our nation’s nursing professionals,” saidDr. Deborah Trautman, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing.  “This joint resolution effectively suspends restrictive student loan caps for master’s and doctoral nursing students and keeps all options on the table to ensure federal support for meeting the nation’s nursing workforce needs.”

“The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is thrilled to endorse Congresswoman Bonamici’s Congressional Review Act in response to the Department of Education’s RISE Committee Final Rule. After receiving over 80,000 comments to their proposed rule, including NASW comments with a petition signed by nearly 30,000 social workers, the Trump Administration did not make any substantive changes to the designation of a professional degree. By instituting lower federal student loan limits for social work students, the Trump Administration cut off the access that makes it possible to educate and prepare social workers who are the largest providers of mental health services in the nation. Social work is a profession. It requires a graduate degree, supervised clinical hours, and state licensure. NASW, along with our Congressional champions, will continue to fight for the recognition social workers deserve and ensure that the cost of an education doesn’t prevent a dedicated professional from saving lives,” said Anthony Estreet, PhD, MBA, LCSW-C, CEO, NASW.

Additional statements of support can be found here.

 

In the House, the CRA is cosponsored by Representatives Nanette Barragan (D-CA), Nikki Budzinski (D-IL), Janelle Bynum (D-OR), André Carson (D-IN), Troy Carter (D-LA), Joe Courtney (D-CT), Angie Craig (D-MN), Madeline Dean (D-PA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Chris Deluzio (D-PA), Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), Dwight Evans (D-PA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), John Garamendi (D-CA), Adelita Grijalva (D-AZ), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jonathan Jackson (D-IL), Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), Rick Larsen (D-WA), John Larson (D-CT), Jennifer McClellan (D-VA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Chris Pappas (D-N.H.), Chellie Pingree (D-ME), Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), Andrea Salinas (D-OR), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Lateefah Simon, Mark Takano (D-CA), Dina Titus (D-NV), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Frederica Wilson (D-FL), and Becca Balint (D-VT).

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens introduced the Homeownership Savings Act to break down financial barriers that have kept a generation locked out of homeownership.

With home prices up 60% nationwide between 2019 and 2025, it is increasingly difficult for young families to achieve the dream of homeownership. Stevens’ legislation creates Homeownership Savings Accounts (HOSAs), a new class of tax-advantaged accounts that allow first-time buyers to contribute up to $40,000 for down payments and closing costs. Contributions are tax-deductible up to annual limits, and earnings grow tax-free inside the account, giving young families a critical edge as the average age of a first-time buyer hits a record 40.

“For too many Michiganders, the American Dream of owning a home is slipping away,” said Rep. Stevens. “Families are working hard just to keep up with everyday costs while homeownership moves further out of reach. This bill is about making sure the next generation of Michiganders can afford to live in the communities they call home.”

The Homeownership Savings Act Would:

• Create Homeownership Savings Accounts (HOSAs) for first-time homebuyers to save for down payments and closing costs tax-free;
• Allow eligible buyers to contribute up to $40,000 over the lifetime of the account, with annual tax-deductible contributions of up to $3,000 for married couples filing jointly, $2,500 for heads of household, and $2,000 for single filers;
• Limit eligibility to first-time homebuyers;
• Allow employers to voluntarily contribute their own funds to an employee’s HOSA;
• Ensure funds can only be used for qualified homebuying expenses, including down payments and closing costs;
• Target tax benefits toward working- and middle-class Americans through income phase-outs for higher earners;
• Allow account holders to invest their savings in stocks, bonds, and other assets, with all earnings growing tax-free inside the account.

This legislation has been endorsed by the Michigan Bankers Association, the Community Economic Development Association of Michigan, and the Mortgage Bankers Association.

Bill text can be found here
 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — This morning, Speaker Johnson delivered remarks in Statuary Hall of the U.S. Capitol to celebrate the National Day of Prayer, an annual day of observance designated by the United States Congress in 1952. 

“As you pray for our country today, we thank God for His acts of salvation and provision and deliverance,” Speaker Johnson said. “Let’s also pray that we may have the strength, just as our Founders did, to hand the baton of faith and freedom onto the next generation that follows us, a generation that cherishes liberty and proclaims proudly what is right and good and true.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

Prayer’s been a part of our DNA since the very beginning, as you know. So, it’s fitting that we do this formal tradition, established by Congress at the height of the Cold War. And it reaffirms something that’s so important that really goes to the heart of who we are as Americans: We are a praying nation. We always have been. It truly is part of who we are. We know that prayer is where the impossible happens. We know it’s where we find solace and stay anchored in our faith, even through challenges and even through the storms, and that is indeed how we have endured. It’s fitting that we’re here in beautiful Statuary Hall, which, as you all know, was the original House Chamber. 

It’s fitting that as you walk around the Capitol here, and we’re so happy to welcome you today that you’ll see vestiges, reminders, of the deep religious heritage of our country. You’ll see reminders of our deep Judeo-Christian traditions, our foundations, our biblical foundations. That’s what makes America unique and extraordinary. 

Just about a hundred feet or so from here, if you went through the Rotunda and took a left, you would go down the hallway where my office is. The Speaker’s Office on one side, on the other side is the Senate Majority Leader’s Office, and right in the middle of that is a chapel. It was erected about the same time, built and established there about the same time as the National Day of Prayer became a formal piece of our law. And as you walk in there—many of you have been in there before and invite you to go visit it—your eyes will be drawn up to this beautiful original stained-glass piece. It’s one of a kind. I think it’s the most beautiful I’ve ever seen, and in that stained glass right in the center is depicted the father of our country, George Washington, and he is humbled before the Lord down on one knee. And he’s praying and the words surrounding him from Psalm 16:1, and it says, “Preserve me, oh God, for in thee do I put my trust, preserve me.” That’s what we still echo today. And of course, that passage of scripture is a restatement of our national motto: In God we trust. 

And by the way, if you come with us to the House Chamber, the current House Chamber, you’ll see that Congress also many years back also during the height of the Cold War decided to engrave permanently the national motto right above the head of the Speaker of the House and the rostrum as a permanent reminder. In fact, it says in the visitor’s guide to the House Chamber, somewhere about on page 21, it says what that was for and it says, ‘Congress put that there as a rebuke to the Soviets because their philosophy.’ They did it during the height of the Cold War. 

Communism, Marxism, socialism began with the premise that there is no God. Congress wanted to make sure that all future generations understood that is not who we are. And these are reminders that they were there long before the practice of public prayer was formally enshrined in the law. It was before we did all that it was immortalized in the hearts of the American people and in the Founders of our very nation. It wasn’t just George Washington. From the first harvest at Plymouth, to the bloodstained battlefields at Bunker Hill, to the whispered prayers of pioneers who are moving westward, the long arc of American history has been charted by the prayers of God-fearing people, God-fearing American citizens.

This 75th annual National Day of Prayer comes at a unique time in the history of our country. Of course, we’re also celebrating the 250th anniversary of this grand experiment in self-governance. For Americans of faith, it’s a time for us to come together and to pray for our nation, of course. And so, it is so fitting that we do this right now. 

It’s also a time to reflect on the great moral inheritance of which every American citizen, across every generation has been the humble recipient. That inheritance goes back to the very idea upon which our nation was founded. We boldly proclaimed the self-evident truth that our rights do not come from government. They come from God himself, that He is the one that has endowed us with our inalienable rights. That among those of the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, Right there in the second paragraph in the nation’s birth certificate, it summarizes our national statement of faith. The Founders made that bold declaration, and that was the foundation that that made us become the most free, most successful, most powerful, most benevolent nation in the history of the planet. It’s not even close.

Our Founders did their best to set up our nation in accordance with His guidelines and principles and my friends. That is why God has blessed America for 250 years. But the faith of our Founders didn’t just shape the character of our civic institutions. It steeled the American spirit, and it strengthened the fabric of our public life through our highest highs and our lowest lows. So it’s only natural that today we reflect on this experiment in liberty and how best to maintain it, how to keep this grand experiment in self-governance, how to keep the republic, and we follow our Founders and we seek his guidance, God’s guidance through the words of scripture and the invocation of prayer.

The theme of this year’s National Day of Prayer is not rhetorical. It says, ‘Tell of God’s glory among the nations, His good deeds to all people.’ As Americans of faith, we see that as our responsibility. We can never know what tomorrow brings, of course, but God calls us to be faithful and to proclaim his good deeds. And on this grand anniversary in particular, we have a great opportunity. We should use this the entire year as a teachable moment to pass along to the next generation of Americans who we are, what we’re about, and way why we are this great country.

So, as you pray for our country today, we thank God for His acts of salvation and provision and deliverance. Let’s also pray that we may have the strength just as our Founders did, to hand the baton of faith and freedom onto the next generation that follows us, a generation that cherishes liberty and proclaims proudly what is right and good and true. Thank you for being here.

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