MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

Today, Representative Sharice Davids announced the winner and runner-up of her 2026 Congressional Art Competition, which showcases the creativity and talent of high school students across Kansas’ Third District. The winning piece will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year, while the runner-up will be featured in Rep. Davids’ Overland Park district office.

This year’s winner is Olivia Wang, an 11th grader at Blue Valley High School, for her piece titled “NOT a Collage: My Pieces.” Olivia was also the winner of last year’s competition. The runner-up is Sawyer Peralta, an 11th grader at Shawnee Mission South, for “The Coin Toss.”

“Each year, I’m blown away by the creativity, talent, and perspective of students across our community,” said Davids. “This competition is a reminder that our young people have powerful stories to tell, and it’s an honor to help elevate their work. Congratulations to Olivia and Sawyer, and thank you to every student who participated this year.”

WATCH: Davids congratulates this year’s winners

Olivia’s winning artwork is a colored pencil drawing of a girl composed of multiple torn paper-like pieces, set against a black background with white cracked-glass detailing. The piece reflects themes of identity, pressure, and self-understanding as students approach major life transitions. Olivia describes the work as an exploration of how different parts of her personality and experiences come together to form a cohesive sense of self.

“Winning means a lot to me,” said Olivia Wang, winner, 2026 Congressional Art Competition. “It’s truly a huge blessing and honor, and a great encouragement as I prepare to go to art school. It reminds me of the support I’ve received so far, and how much further I still have to grow. Seeing all the other amazing submissions motivates me to keep learning. I’m very grateful for this opportunity and honor.”

“I think being the runner-up really shows that putting work into something like this pays off,” said Sawyer Peralta, runner-up, 2026 Congressional Art Competition. “I only started last year, but since then I’ve put in a lot of effort to improve, and I feel like I’ve grown pretty quickly. It’s really cool that this competition exists, and knowing my work will be displayed in her office is a great reminder that hard work does pay off.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nationwide initiative that recognizes artistic talent in high school students, with winning pieces from each congressional district displayed in the U.S. Capitol. The winner from Kansas’ Third District is chosen by a panel of local artists and other experts who judge each submission.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

MIAMI, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation, presented a $3,100,000 check to the University of Miami’s Miami Project to Cure Paralysis Research and Innovation Hub Equipment.

“In Miami-Dade, far too many families have felt the devastating impact of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological conditions––they are our parents, our grandparents, and our loved ones. That’s why advancing research and expanding access to cutting-edge tools is so critical. I’m thrilled to deliver this major investment to support innovation that brings us closer to better treatments, and ultimately, a cure.

This funding will help equip scientists with the advanced technology they need to pursue groundbreaking discoveries, accelerate therapy development, and support improvements in the quality and reliability of future treatments. I’m pleased to aid in this effort and will continue working to ensure families facing these cruel diseases have hope for a better future,” said Congressman Díaz-Balart. 

“We are deeply grateful to Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart for his steadfast support of our mission at The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis. The $3.1 million in federal funding he secured for the University of Miami’s Miami Project Research and Innovation Hub Equipment Expansion Project will significantly advance our cutting-edge research efforts. This critical investment strengthens our ability to accelerate discoveries and bring transformative therapies closer to reality for those living with paralysis and other neurological disorders,” said Dr. Barth Green, Co-Founder, The Miami Project to Cure Paralysis.

Background

This project received funding through H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, 2026, which was approved by Congress and signed into law by the President on January 23, 2026.

Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart represents Florida’s 26th Congressional District and serves as Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee. He is the Dean of the Florida Congressional Delegation and has a longstanding, successful track record of delivering crucial funding to support South Florida’s research and health initiatives that improve and save lives. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mark DeSaulnier Representing the 11th District of California

Walnut Creek, CA –Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced today that he will host a town hall in Lafayette on Tuesday, May 5^th from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT to discuss House Democrats’ work in Congress to hold President Trump accountable, end his illegal war in Iran, and lower costs for American families. The Congressman will also take questions from constituents.

Town Hall in Lafayette
Tuesday, May 5^th 
6:30 – 7:30 p.m. PT
Lafayette, CA
RSVP for exact location 

The event is RSVP only and capacity is limited. To reserve your spot and receive the address of the event, or to request special accommodations, visit https://desaulnier.house.gov/town-hall-rsvp or call (925) 933-2660.

This will be Congressman DeSaulnier’s 265^th town hall and mobile district office hour since coming to Congress in January 2015.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), who was appointed by President Jimmy Carter as the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), today introduced the Fair Pay Act, which builds on her work enforcing the 1963 Equal Pay Act. The Fair Pay Act would help eliminate the gender wage gap by requiring men and women doing comparable work to be paid comparable wages and builds on the Equal Pay Act of 1963 by allowing women to prove that some or all of a wage disparity is based on gender-segregated comparable jobs.

“As the first woman to chair the EEOC, where enforced the Equal Pay Act, I have spent my career working to ensure equality for women, but it is clear that more must be done to address the structural disparities that persist in our workforce,” Norton said. “The Fair Pay Act is essential legislation that moves beyond identical roles to ensure men and women performing comparable work receive comparable wages. We can no longer allow gender-based wage gaps to exist unchallenged simply because a profession is traditionally dominated by one sex. This bill is a moral and economic necessity that finally challenges the historic devaluation of work historically performed by women.

“Unequal pay has been built into the way women have been treated since Adam and Eve.  To dislodge such deep-seated and pervasive treatment, we must go to the source, the traditionally female occupations, where pay is linked with gender and always has been.”

Norton’s full introductory statement follows.

Statement of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton

On the Introduction of the Fair Pay Act of 2026

May 4, 2026

Today, I introduce the Fair Pay Act of 2026.  This bill would require that if men and women are doing comparable work, they must be paid comparable wages.  The Equal Pay Act of 1963 (EPA), the first of the great civil rights statutes of the 1960s, has grown creaky with age and needs updating to reflect the new workforce, in which women work as much as men. 

As the first woman to chair the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where I enforced the EPA, I introduce this bill on behalf of the average female worker, who is often first steered to, and then locked into, jobs with wages that are deeply influenced by the gender of individuals who have traditionally held such jobs.  The pay disparity most women face today stems mainly from the segregation of women and men in different jobs and women in female-dominated jobs being paid systematically less. For example, if a woman is an emergency services operator, a female-dominated profession, she should not be paid less than a fire dispatcher, a male- dominated profession, simply because each of these jobs has been dominated by one gender.  We need more aggressive strategies to break through the societal barriers present throughout history, as well as employer-steering based on gender, which is as old as paid employment itself. 

What may be the best case for a stronger and updated EPA occurred in Congress in 2003, when female custodians in the House and Senate won an EPA case after showing that female employees were paid a dollar less per hour for doing the same or similar work as male employees.  Had those women not been represented by their union, they would have had an almost impossible task in using the rules for bringing and sustaining an EPA class action lawsuit. 

This bill would not change the legal burden.  Under this bill, as under the EPA, the burden would be on the plaintiff to prove discrimination.  The plaintiff must show that the reason for the disparate treatment is gender discrimination, not legitimate market factors.  Remedies to achieve comparable pay for men and women are not radical or unprecedented.  State governments, in red and blue states alike, have shown that it is possible to eliminate the part of the pay gap that is due to job-steering.  Many state governments have adjusted wages for female-dominated professions, raising pay for teachers, nurses, clerical workers, librarians and other female-dominated jobs that paid less than comparable male-dominated jobs.  Minnesota, for example, implemented a pay equity plan when it found that traditionally female jobs paid 20 percent less than comparable traditionally male jobs. There may well be some portion of the gender wage gap that is traceable to market factors, but states have shown that you can tackle the gender discrimination-based wage gap without interfering in the market system.  States generally have closed the wage gap over a period of four to five years at a one-time cost of no more than three to four percent of payroll. 

Unequal pay has been built into the way women have been treated since Adam and Eve.  To dislodge such deep-seated and pervasive treatment, we must go to the source, the traditionally female occupations, where pay is linked with gender and always has been. 

I urge my colleagues to support this bill.

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi, a senior member of the House Oversight Committee, today sent a letter to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche demanding the Department of Justice work with a federal judge to unseal, review, and publicly release a purported suicide note attributed to Jeffrey Epstein that has reportedly remained sealed since 2019.

In the letter, Krishnamoorthi calls on DOJ to work with U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas to obtain and unseal the document, citing reporting that the note was discovered by Epstein’s cellmate, provided to defense counsel, and later sealed in unrelated federal proceedings—without public release and potentially outside prior federal investigative or disclosure efforts. 

“I write to demand that the Department of Justice work with U.S. District Judge Kenneth Karas to unseal a purported suicide note attributed to Jeffrey Epstein. This note must be immediately reviewed and publicly released to aid federal officials who are investigating Jeffrey Epstein and the circumstances around his death,” Krishnamoorthi wrote. 

“The Department of Justice has yet to make any arrests other than Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, despite the existence of millions of documents that suggest a vast network of sex traffickers, including many high-profile individuals at the center,” he continued. “It is critical that the Department avoid the appearance of covering up for criminals simply because of a person’s status and resources.” 

Krishnamoorthi requested answers by May 18, 2026, to the following questions:

1. Has the Department of Justice or any of its components—including the Federal Bureau of Prisons or the Department’s Office of Inspector General—ever obtained, reviewed, or sought access to this purported note? If not, when and how did the Department first become aware of its existence? 

2. Did the Department consider this document within the scope of materials relevant to its prior investigative or disclosure efforts related to Mr. Epstein? 

3. What steps, if any, has the Department taken to verify the existence and authenticity of this document? 

4. Does the Department intend to seek unsealing of this note or otherwise facilitate its public release? If not, why not? 

5. Are there additional Epstein-related materials known to exist that were not included in prior Department reviews or disclosures? 

Congressman Krishnamoorthi’s letter is available here.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“Too many families are one hospital visit from bankruptcy and view the American dream as unattainable. Affordable housing is critical to achieving that dream,” said Wasserman Schultz. “Working people need an affordable place to settle down to raise a family. I want to make Florida that place once again. I’ll take what I heard here back to Washington and use them to help fight for solutions.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

Washington, D.C.— Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement on the Louisiana V. Callais Supreme Court Decision.

“This recent Supreme Court ruling is part of a long assault on the Voting Rights Act (VRA) of 1965. The Supreme Court has weakened an essential provision in the VRA used to protect the country from extremely biased racial gerrymandering. These protections weren’t a favor; they were a debt this nation owed to Black Americans after centuries of terror at the ballot box.

“The Supreme Court didn’t finish this in one day. They chipped away at it in 2013 with Shelby County V. Holder. They weakened it again in 2021 with Brnovich v. Democratic National Committee. Now, they’ve done what the majority has wanted all along and rendered the VRA nearly impossible to enforce with Louisiana V. Callais.

“Requiring proof of intent to discriminate in states with documented histories of racial voter suppression is not legal interpretation. It is judicial activism and willful blindness.

“I am calling on Congress to pass the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act immediately. We did not come this far to go back.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) recognized students from Ohio’s Fifth Congressional District who have been accepted to one of the U.S. Military Service Academies during a ceremony at the 180th Fighter Wing, Ohio Air National Guard. Each student was nominated by Congressman Latta and has received an appointment to the Class of 2030 at their respective academy.  

“It was an honor to nominate these students to our nation’s service academies. I was privileged to spend the afternoon celebrating Adam, Jack, Michele, and Eli as they begin this new chapter in their lives. I thank each of these students for their commitment to serve our great nation, and I am confident they will thrive at their respective academies,” said Latta.  

Students honored at today’s event and their respective appointments:  

Adam Buell, U.S. Military Academy  

Pandora Gilboa High School

Jack Buell, U.S. Military Academy

Pandora Gilboa High School

Michele Smith, U.S. Air Force Academy  

Avon High School 

Eli Chevalier, U.S. Naval Academy  

Mohawk High School

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) announced the 20 Community Project Funding requests he submitted on behalf of Illinois’ 11th Congressional District for Fiscal Year 2027.

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. 

“From day one, it has been one of my top priorities to ensure the communities I represent receive their fair share of federal dollars,” said Foster. “Selecting just 20 projects from the many strong submissions we received was no simple task, but I’m confident these initiatives will provide meaningful benefits to residents of the 11th District and help strengthen our communities for years to come. I look forward to working with the Appropriations Committee to secure this critical funding.”

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 20 projects submitted are listed below in no particular order:

North Central College: STEM Equipment for Research and Workforce Development 

Amount Requested: $800,000

North Central College

This funding would be used to purchase two pieces of precision instrumentation—a confocal microscope and a scanning electron microscope (SEM)—for science and engineering laboratories. This would provide STEM students with hands-on training that supports workforce development, as well as enhance North Central College’s research and development capabilities.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Water and Sewer Extension for I-90/Rt. 23 Corridor

Amount Requested: $1,425,000

City of Marengo

The funding would be used for the extension of water and sewer infrastructure, including a lift station and water tower, to support industrial development along the I-90 and Route 23 corridor in Marengo. This project will provide clean water and improved sewer services for residents, as well as create the infrastructure necessary to support regional economic development.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Aurora Road to Sustainable Homeownership Program

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

City of Aurora

The funding would be used to acquire vacant land, remediate, and prepare sites, and construct energy-efficient starter homes in low- to moderate-income neighborhoods, increasing access to affordable and sustainable homeownership for working families in the City of Aurora.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Lemont East Regional Water and Sewer Connectivity Project

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

Village of Lemont

The funding would be used for water and sewer connectivity upgrades to existing water mains and lift stations, improving overall water quality and supporting development in the region.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

–

Aurora Public Library West Branch Addition and Renovation

Amount Requested: $8,000,000

Aurora Public Library District

The funding would be used for a comprehensive remodel of the Aurora Public Library’s West Branch location, including critical infrastructure upgrades and the expansion of designated spaces for community members. This project would improve the library’s visibility and increase access to a valuable community resource.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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The Woodstock Rail Yard Project

Amount Requested: $2,250,000

County of McHenry

The funding would be used for the final phase of the consolidation of two substandard Metra rail yards in the City of Crystal Lake and the Village of Barrington, as well as the construction of a new rail yard in the City of Woodstock. This will allow Metra to provide more frequent commuter train service on the UPNW Line and help create economic opportunities for rural communities in McHenry County.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

–

Fox River Bike Trail Extension

Amount Requested: $9,000,000

City of Batavia

The funding would be used for the construction of a new segment of the Fox River Regional Trail in Batavia. This project will improve connectivity along the multi-use Fox River Trail, as well as add critical safety and guidance features for pedestrians and cyclists.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Kane County Emergency Response Facility Expansion & Modernization

Amount Requested: $1,000,000

Kane County Department of Transportation (KDOT)

The funding would be used for the renovation of the current KDOT building and the construction of an insulated metal building attached to the existing KDOT building. These improvements will allow Kane County to safely house, maintain, and deploy critical transportation equipment necessary to respond to severe weather and emergency events.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Burlington Roadway Resurfacing 

Amount Requested: $6,400,000

Village of Burlington

The funding would be used to mill and resurface all in-town and rural roads throughout the Village of Burlington. Currently, the Village of Burlington—a community of only 535 people—does not have the resources necessary to make critical safety improvements to the 6.86 square miles of roadway they oversee. 

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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East Branch DuPage River Stream Enhancement Project

Amount Requested: $10,000,000

DuPage River Salt Creek Workgroup/The Conservation Foundation

The funding would be used to restore and enhance 7.5 miles of riverine and riparian habitats along the East Branch of the DuPage River through targeted ecological and geomorphic improvements. This will help improve water quality, ecosystem health, and floodplain function.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Village of Holiday Hills Sanitary Sewer Extension Project (Phase 3)

Amount Requested: $3,500,000

Northern Moraine Wastewater Reclamation District

The funding would be used for the completion of a multi-phase project to provide centralized sanitary sewer service and wastewater treatment to the Village of Holiday Hills and Le Villa Vaupell Subdivision in McHenry County. 

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Metra Station Display and Signage

Amount Requested: $500,000

Metra

The funding would be used to modernize passenger information systems at three of the busiest Metra stations on the BNSF Line: Aurora, Route 59, and Naperville. This will improve accessibility and reduce barriers to using public transit, encourage transportation mode shifts to reduce highway congestion, and provide a welcoming experience to those riding Metra.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Village of Romeoville Water Main Replacement (Phase 3)

Amount Requested: $3,520,000

Village of Romeoville

The funding would be used to replace the aging and corroded water main within Romeoville’s Hampton Park Subdivision, which would improve public health for residents and prevent recurring water outages.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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McHenry Lead Service Line Replacement Project

Amount Requested: $3,000,000

City of McHenry

The funding would be used to replace approximately 280 lead service lines within the city’s distribution system, improving water quality and public health.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Lakewood Western Utilities Extension

Amount Requested: $6,056,000

Village of Lakewood

The funding would be used for the extension of water and sewer utilities at Illinois Routes 47 and 176 to support Lakewood’s population growth and future development. This project will ensure that residents have access to improved sewer services and create the infrastructure necessary to support regional economic development.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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McHenry County College Learning Commons

Amount Requested: $2,000,000

McHenry County College (MCC)

The funding would be used for the final phase of renovating MCC’s library into an innovative Learning Commons that will support collaborative learning and provide students with immediate access to cutting-edge technology and digital resources. This project will reduce barriers for students without access to advanced technology at home, extend facility access to the broader community, encourage social interaction, and create a hub to develop information literacy skills.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Urban Ecology Field Station at Arlene Shoemaker Forest Preserve

Amount Requested: $3,375,000

Forest Preserve District of Kane County

The funding would be used to construct an Urban Ecology Field Station based at the Arlene Shoemaker Forest Preserve in Aurora. This project will provide community members in Kane County’s urban centers, especially the City of Aurora, with access to a nature center that has programs, educational exhibits, and outdoor infrastructure relevant to their unique urban ecology.

Click HEREto read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Village of Woodridge MacArthur Drive Water Main Improvement Plan

Amount Requested: $670,000

Village of Woodridge

The funding would be used to replace approximately 2,700 linear feet of existing cast iron water main on MacArthur Drive that is aging and subject to frequent repairs. Replacement of the water main will prevent costly repairs and provide the infrastructure necessary to rehabilitate the roadway.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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12th Street Utility Improvement Project

Amount Requested: $2,500,000

City of St. Charles

The funding would be used for the replacement of sanitary and water utilities, and the addition of a new storm sewer on N. 12th Street. This project will improve overall sewer capacity, reduce flooding, and decrease erosion and sediment transmission to the Fox River from storm sewer outfalls.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

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Appleton Road Grade Separation

Amount Requested: $1,840,000

City of Belvidere

The funding would be used to complete the design engineering phase required for the construction of a grade separation structure over two existing at-grade Union Pacific Railroad crossings along South Appleton Road in the City of Belvidere. This project will decrease traffic congestion and improve overall safety for emergency vehicles and commuters using this road.

Click HERE to read the required financial disclosure letter.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Randy Weber (14th District of Texas)

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Randy Weber’s (TX-14) H.R. 8462, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act, advanced out of the full House Science, Space, and Technology Committee unanimously and is now eligible for consideration on the U.S. House Floor.

Watch Representative Weber’s Opening Statement here.

Read Representative Weber’s Opening Statement below:

“Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I’m pleased to sponsor and support H.R. 8462, the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act.

“The Trump Administration has identified quantum information science, technology, and engineering as one of the Nation’s highest research and development priority areas. First passed in 2018 during President Trump’s first term, the National Quantum Initiative aimed to accelerate the Nation’s advancement in quantum sciences and technologies. These efforts demonstrate a long-term commitment to American innovation, as well as maintaining U.S. leadership in science and technology.

“As the global push toward quantum supremacy intensifies, the United States faces growing pressure to maintain its leadership. Our adversaries, including the Chinese Communist Party, are committing significant resources to quantum information science. The U.S. cannot and must not afford to fall behind in the race for quantum supremacy.

“This legislation builds on the hard work and progress we’ve made over the past eight years to strengthen quantum information science. It sustains the basic research that underpins our success while including translational research to move quantum technologies toward real-world applications. It also prioritizes workforce development, recognizing that a strong talent pipeline is absolutely critical to advancing and deploying these technologies

“Lastly, it reinforces the importance of leveraging international partnerships to address the challenges and threats posed by our adversaries. This legislation also formally adds the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, NASA, to the National Quantum Initiative. NASA has made meaningful contributions to the goals of the National Quantum Initiative through targeted investments, including quantum-enabled technologies for space science and precision measurement. Quantum science, engineering, and technology have the potential to redefine what’s possible in this field. The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act helps unlock that potential, and that is exactly what it is going to do.

“I want to thank everyone who took the time and effort to submit thoughtful feedback and suggestions on how Congress can strengthen the National Quantum Initiative. I look forward to continuing to work with my fellow members of this committee and stakeholders as we move this process forward.

“Mr. Chairman, I yield back.”

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