MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

With commercial flights canceled due to war with Iran, many Americans are unable to book trips back to the U.S.; Congressmembers call for Secretary of State Rubio to use charter flights, military operations and all other resources possible to help stranded Americans leave; lawmakers also criticize Administration for failing to have evacuation plan already in place

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Levin (CA-49)

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

WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA-08), alongside Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Congresswoman Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Nick Begich (R-AK-At-Large) and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11), introduced the bipartisan Federal Enhancement and Revitalization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways (FERRIES) Act. The bill would significantly increase federal investments in ferry systems, providing long-term, predictable funding for ferry operators that connect communities across the country.  

“With increasing congestion on our bridges and roads, it’s becoming clear that people want an affordable, easy, and stress-free way to get into the city,” said Rep. Garamendi. “That’s why I am thrilled to partner with Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Emily Randall (D-WA-06), Nick Begich (R-AK-At-Large), and Nicole Malliotakis (R-NY-11) to introduce the FERRIES Act, which would provide more consistent and sustainable funding for ferry operators working to connect our communities. I look forward to my continued work with the bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus to further strengthen ferry services across the country.”

“As a ferry commuter myself, I know that our ferry system is in desperate need of improvements. When boats are taken off service routes, this creates significant challenges for the 20 million+ annual ferry commuters in Washington state,” said Rep. Randall. “We need to significantly boost investments in ferry services across the country, and the bipartisan FERRIES Act is an important step in that direction.”  

“In Alaska, many communities are not accessible by a road system and depend on a marine highway. That reality makes ferries a critical part of our transportation system and essential infrastructure,” said Rep. Begich. “The bipartisan FERRIES Act delivers long-term, predictable funding so operators can modernize fleets and ensure safe, dependable service for the communities that rely on our marine highway transportation routes. I’m proud to work alongside my colleagues on the Ferry Caucus to advance practical investments that keep America’s maritime highways moving at the speed of the modern age.”

“I join my Ferry Caucus colleagues in introducing the Federal Enhancement and Revitalization of Reliable Infrastructure for Essential Seaways (FERRIES) Act. As the Representative of a district that depends on maritime transportation including the Staten Island Ferry and NYC Ferry for daily commuting and travel, I know how essential these ferries are to our community,” said Rep. Malliotakis. “This legislation increases federal investment in ferry systems nationwide to ensure long-term, reliable funding for infrastructure upgrades and system improvements.”

The bipartisan FERRIES Act would increase funding for ferry programs through three different mechanisms: Highway Trust Fund (HTF), advanced appropriations, and authorized appropriations. Funding from authorized appropriations are subject to levels set in annual appropriations bills, while money from advanced appropriations and the Highway Trust Fund would be available at the start of each fiscal year if this bill were enacted. Increasing and diversifying these funding streams will ensure that our ferry systems will have the resources they need to continue serving communities.  

The bipartisan FERRIES Act would:

• Increase funding for the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Passenger Ferry Grant Program to up to $550 million annually. Over the next five years, the bill would authorize $300 million, including $100 million directly from the HTF, and would provide $200 million in advanced appropriations each year.  
• Boost funding for the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) Ferry Boat Program through the HTF to $160 million annually with a $2 million annual increase for each subsequent year, in addition to $100 million per year through advanced appropriations.  
• Expand funding for the FTA Rural Ferry Grant Program to up to $550 million per year, with $300 million authorized (including $100 million directly from the HTF) and $250 million in advanced appropriations.  
• Establish the Ferry Fleet Modernization and Shipyard Job Creation Grant Program to increase funding available for operators who want to electrify and modernize their fleets by switching to alternative fuels, thereby investing in shipyards and their workforces across the country who are building a new generation of vessels.  
  • The bill provides $100 million in advanced appropriations and $140 million in authorized funding annually.  
• The FERRIES Act would clarify that ferry operators serving both urban and rural communities are eligible for both the FTA Passenger Ferry Grant program and the FTA Ferry Service for Rural Communities program, and create a set-aside for 20 percent of the Rural Ferry Grant Program funds to be available to routes serving any two rural areas, regardless of the distance between those two areas.  

Together, these transformative investments and reforms would strengthen ferry systems nationwide, improve reliability and safety, and ensure both urban and rural communities receive equitable access to federal transportation resources.

The Co-Chairs introduced this legislation ahead of the transformative Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s expiration on September 30, 2026. Congress will need to reauthorize and extend the programs included in the law, and the Co-Chairs are calling on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee to include the policies and funds included in the FERRIES Act in the next five-year surface transportation reauthorization bill.  

In January 2026, Ferry Caucus Co-Chairs Garamendi, Randall, Begich, and Malliotakis held the first inaugural bipartisan Congressional Ferry Caucus roundtable. The bipartisan caucus was created to advocate for the unique needs of communities where ferry transportation is essential. The Congressional Ferry Caucus aims to promote the benefits of and advocate for the long-term federal investment in public ferry systems, including marine, shoreside, and workforce needs.  

You can follow along with all Ferry Caucus updates on the newly launched Ferry Caucus Website, as well as the new, official Ferry Caucus Instagram.

The full bill text of the FERRIES Act is available HERE. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries held a press conference with Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar, Vice Chair Ted Lieu and Democratic veterans, where he emphasized that Donald Trump has repeatedly lied and failed to make the case for war to the American people, but House Democrats will continue to stand up for everyday Americans and our service members.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Let me thank Chairman Aguilar and Vice Chair Lieu for their incredible leadership of the House Democratic Caucus, the districts that they represent and, of course, the nation and for convening us here today. I’m particularly thankful to be joined, of course, by those who have served our country in uniform, as Ted has done, of course, Jason and Chrissy and Gil and Pat and Maggie who were patriots serving this country in different ways in the military, in the national security space and are now patriotically standing up for the American people, for our men and women in uniform and for the Constitution—that’s our commitment as House Democrats.

Donald Trump has continued to break his word to the American people. Candidate Trump promised to lower the high cost of living on day one. President Trump enacted tariffs that have increased costs on everyday Americans by thousands of dollars per year. Candidate Trump promised that immigration enforcement would be focused on violent criminals who are here illegally. President Trump has unleashed untrained and masked ICE agents to brutalize and kill American citizens and to violently target law-abiding immigrant families. Candidate Trump said that it was foolish to get the country involved in endless foreign forever wars. President Trump, without authorization and inconsistent with the Constitution, has now plunged America into what he characterized yesterday could be an endless war that has already tragically cost the lives of six patriotic service members. And we mourn for them and we’re praying for their families as well as all of those service members who are still struggling to deal with serious injuries as a result of what has taken place in the Middle East.

The President has a responsibility to make the case to the American people as to the justification for this war, but has provided no evidence that there was an imminent threat to the American people here or abroad. It’s the President who said just several months ago, in June of last year, that Iran’s nuclear program had been completely and totally obliterated, that’s the President’s words. Did he lie to us then or is he lying now that he’s claiming that Iran was acquiring the possibility of being able to threaten us with nuclear weapons? A nuclear program he had claimed was completely and totally obliterated. The President has indicated that he’s interested in regime change, but we know that regime change wars have never worked out for the American people and have cost thousands of lives of our patriotic heroes in uniform. That was the case in Vietnam, in Iraq and in Afghanistan. So I’m thankful for the leadership of the Chair, the Vice Chair and these distinguished Members of Congress—patriots—who are standing up for the American people, standing up for our brave servicemen and women in uniform and standing up for the Constitution.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released her remarks from today’s Committee on Oversight & Government Reform (COGR) hearing on fraud and misuse of government funds in Minnesota. 

“My Republican colleagues have now held two hearings to talk about fraud in one single state.  But they have completely ignored the fact that the Trump administration is the most corrupt administration in history,” Norton said. “If Republicans really cared about fraud, abuse and holding criminals accountable, they would call out Donald Trump for firing 17 inspectors general. These internal watchdogs are the frontline of rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies.”

Norton’s full remarks follow.

Remarks of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Hearing of the Committee on Oversight & Government Reform

March 4, 2026

It is critical that the federal government support people who need assistance with food, housing and health care. Unfortunately, as long as the government provides these services, there will be bad actors trying to take advantage of them.

We need to prevent and identify these fraudsters so that social services can reach those who need them. However, we cannot recklessly deny help to the many people who need these services because of a few bad actors. 

My Republican colleagues have now held two hearings to talk about fraud in one single state.  But they have completely ignored the fact that the Trump administration is the most corrupt administration in history.

If Republicans really cared about fraud, abuse and holding criminals accountable, they would call out Donald Trump for firing 17 inspectors general. These internal watchdogs are the frontline of rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at federal agencies.

The Trump administration has also retaliated against whistleblowers, and allowed administration officials to engage in serious conflicts of interest that often cross the line into outright corruption. 

We need inspectors general, whistleblower protections and rules prohibiting conflicts of interest to protect federal programs and make sure that people can get the services they need.

Across the country, Americans are struggling to afford their health care premiums and their groceries. The Trump administration should be strengthening the social safety net, not cutting the safeguards that catch fraudsters taking advantage of it.

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

WASHINGTON — Following today’s classified briefing by Trump Administration officials on the conflict with Iran, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), a senior member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, issued the following statement:

Today’s briefing did nothing to justify the unauthorized war President Trump has thrown our country into against Iran. During the briefing, Trump Administration officials provided no compelling strategy, no measurable objectives, and no credible explanation of how this fighting is supposed to end. American service members have already lost their lives in this conflict, and more Americans in uniform remain deployed in an increasingly volatile region without a clear mission or endgame. President Trump should not have launched this war in Iran, he must not escalate it further, and I urge my colleagues to join me in doing everything in our power to end it before more American lives are lost.

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, today expressed grave concern following reports that a drone struck the parking lot of the U.S. Consulate in Dubai:

“The drone strike on our U.S. Consulate in Dubai is a stark reminder that President Trump’s continued escalation in Iran is putting American service members, diplomats, and civilians in danger. American service members have already lost their lives in this conflict, and others remain in harm’s way. The President owes Congress and the American people a clear strategy to protect our people and prevent this conflict from spiraling further. My office is actively assisting constituents seeking evacuation, and I will be pressing for concrete answers at tonight’s congressional briefing.”

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

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee; Adam Smith, Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Committee; Jim Himes, Ranking Member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence; Rosa DeLauro; Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee; and Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense sent a letter to top Trump administration officials set to brief Congress today.

The letter, addressed to Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; Secretary of State Marco Rubio; Director of the Central Intelligence Agency John Ratcliffe; and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Caine, asked for direct and comprehensive answers on critical questions concerning ongoing U.S. military operations against Iran.

A PDF of the full letter can be found here.

“A number of our brave service members have already lost their lives in this conflict, and the American people are entitled to clear answers including why this conflict began, what objectives justify continued military engagement, and what guardrails are in place to prevent a broader or protracted regional war.

“Tomorrow, your classified briefing to Members of Congress regarding ongoing military operations must address strategy, intelligence, legal justification, and long-term consequences in concrete terms. Congress has a constitutional responsibility in matters of war and that requires complete and candid information.

“Accordingly, during the briefing tomorrow, we ask that you directly address the following: 

1. Imminent Threat Justification.  What is the Administration’s legal justification for initiating hostilities? What specific, imminent threat to U.S. personnel, territory, or vital national interests formed the basis for initiating this war?
2. Strategic Objectives and Victory.  What are the defined U.S. objectives in this conflict, what conditions would constitute mission success, and under what circumstances would operations cease?  Will this require American ground troops fighting in Iran?
3. Regime Change.  With the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader, who is in control of the country today and who does the Administration expect to control key state institutions at the end of this conflict?
4. Nuclear Security.  Who currently controls Iran’s nuclear facilities and materials, and what safeguards are in place to prevent diversion or proliferation, or complete loss of control?
5. Strait of Hormuz and Maritime Security.  What is the long term risk to access to, and through the strait for commercial traffic? If oil flows do not resume shortly, it will have impact on Americans’ electric bills and gas bills in addition to global energy markets.
6. Costs and Impacts on Munitions Inventories.  What are the costs associated with this operation?  What are current U.S. munitions inventories in the region and globally? What is the impact of continued operations on overall U.S. contingency requirements?…”

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

Griffith Announces $709,867 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech

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

Griffith Announces $368,800 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech