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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) —On Tuesday, May 5, 2026, Congressman Al Green, a member of the Homeland Security Committee and the Task Force on Enhancing Security for Special Events in the United States, together with Committee Ranking Member Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS-02) and Congressman Troy A. Carter Sr. (D-LA-02), announced they will host a “Fact-Finding Forum on Emergency Preparedness and Response” relating to the FIFA World Cup in Houston and the lasting lessons of Hurricane Harvey. The forum will include public officials from Greater Houston and the surrounding area to discuss disaster readiness, public safety coordination, infrastructure concerns, and emergency response planning ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Prior to the forum, the Members will conduct a site visit to Texas Medical Center Helix Park, tour Meyerland and Brays Bayou areas affected by numerous floods and visit NRG Stadium. This fact-finding mission aims to assess ongoing preparedness related to disaster response ahead of hurricane season in addition to hosting the upcoming FIFA World Cup events that estimate over half a million people attending from across the world. 

Congressman Bennie Thompson stated, “With the World Cup coming to Houston next month, we need to ensure the city is fully prepared. Hurricane season also begins in June, so readiness is not just important, but urgent. This forum is an opportunity to hear directly from local leaders to make sure emergency response, and public safety plans are ready to protect both residents and visitors.”

Congressman Al Green stated, “I am grateful to Ranking Member Bennie Thompson and Representative Troy Carter for partnering with me in convening this critical forum. Houston understands the importance of strong emergency preparedness and resilient communities. As we prepare to host FIFA World Cup events during hurricane season, we have a responsibility to ask the difficult questions now, not after lives and communities are impacted. This forum is about accountability, coordination, and making certain our emergency response systems are ready to meet the moment.”

 

Click here to watch the “Fact-Finding Forum on Emergency Preparedness and Response” at 2:00 PM CT on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Click here to watch the press conference livestream of the event at 3:30 PM CT on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

Washington, DC)—On Wednesday, April 29, 2026, Congressman Al Green introduced the “Original Resolution Condemning President Donald J. Trump for his disgraceful, despicable, and disrespectful social media post depicting himself as Jesus Christ, diminishing the dignity of the Presidency and bringing disrepute to the office.”The resolution exposes concerns about the April 12, 2026, “Truth Social” post, describing it as disrespectful and offensive for using artificial intelligence to depict himself (Donald Trump) in a manner consistent with sacred religious imagery. As reported by Reuters, the AI-generated image portrayed him as a Christ-like figure and sparked widespread backlash from religious leaders and the public.  The resolution notes that such conduct is offensive to people of faith and diminishes the respect and seriousness the office of the Presidency is meant to embody. The resolution also reaffirms the importance of respecting religious precepts upholding the constitutional principles of religious freedom. 

A copy of the resolution is accessible by clicking here.

Congressman Al Green stated, “I strongly condemn President Trump’s post depicting himself as Jesus Christ. Using sacred religious imagery in this way is profoundly disrespectful to people of faith, not only in America, but around the world. It diminishes the dignity of the Presidency and sends the wrong message about the values we stand for. The American people deserve leadership that respects our shared beliefs and upholds the integrity of this office.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) — On Saturday, May 2, 2026, Congressman Al Green will host Passport Day along with State Representative Ron Reynolds, Fort Bend County Commissioner Grady Prestage, and Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Constable Daryl Smith Sr. at the Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center. Representatives from the U.S. Department of State will be present to assist constituents with a variety of travel-related services, including passport applications and renewals.

Appointments are encouraged and may be scheduled online here; however, walk-ins will be accommodated. The event will take place at the Missouri City Recreation and Tennis Center located at 2701 Cypress Point Dr., Houston, Texas 77459, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. CT. Constituents are encouraged to review the attached flyer for application preparation, as well as visit Travel.State.Gov for additional details and answers to frequently asked questions.

Congressman Al Green stated, “I am pleased to return to Missouri City together with State Representative Ron Reynolds, Commissioner Grady Prestage, Fort Bend County Precinct 2 Constable Daryl Smith Sr., and representatives from the U.S. Department of State. Passport Day has helped connect constituents with essential travel and identification resources that can make a meaningful difference. We encourage everyone to come prepared and ensure they have the documents needed for future travel and important identification purposes.”

Click here to watch the YouTube Live Stream of the event at 10:30 AM CT.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), who has represented a majority-Black district in Congress since 2007, responded to state Republican lawmakers’ call for a special legislative session to consider redistricting, and made the following statement:

“This transparent effort to create a seat for a member of Congress who will rubber stamp Trump’s increasingly bizarre and dangerous agenda will also dilute the Black vote in Tennessee to the point of irrelevance. 

“I have been consulting with voting rights lawyers and other experts to fight this move with every option available, political and legal. The filing deadline for candidates for the 120^th Congress has passed. Were the General Assembly to change the district maps, candidates already seeking office in one district could find themselves in the absurd situation of running in another – a wholesale injustice to voters and a mockery of democracy. 

“Republican state lawmakers clearly have the votes to make this Machiavellian move. I hope fairness is part of their consideration and that they abandon it.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today won the support of the White House for his legislation to protect Maine’s lobstermen from new regulations related to the North Atlantic right whale until 2035. 

Golden in recent weeks has had several conversations with administration officials about the bill, H.R. 8509. The Trump administration announced its support for the bill in a Statement of Administration Policy released this afternoon. 

Golden worked with the Maine delegation and Governor Janet Mills to win the moratorium on industry-crippling new regulations — including potential fishery closures — in 2022 under President Joe Biden, but the freeze is scheduled to expire in 2028. Golden has long advocated for the federal government to extend the moratorium. 

“The need to protect Maine’s iconic lobster industry knows no party. I’m grateful for the President’s support for Maine’s lobstermen and hopeful that my colleagues in the House will join me in quickly passing this bill into law,” Golden said. 

“Before we enacted this moratorium, Maine’s lobster industry was on the verge of shutting down because of proposed regulations that were onerous and based on flawed science and hypothetical scenarios rather than the reality on the water. Extending the moratorium will give lobstermen and their communities stability and peace of mind, protect an industry worth half a billion dollars annually and give the government time to get the science right,” Golden said. 

Golden’s bill can be found here. The White House’s Statement of Administration Policy can be found here.  

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

Continuing his work to address New Hampshire families’ child care needs, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) is backing several pieces of legislation to improve access to child care and strengthen services.

Affordable, accessible child care is essential to children’s development and learning, and parents’ ability to go to work. In New Hampshire, the average cost of child care is now $14,870 per year, and the cost of child care for two children exceeds both median rent and in-state university tuition. Nearly half of Granite Staters live in a child care desert, and it’s estimated that New Hampshire businesses lose $56 million annually due to the lack of available licensed child care slots.

In February, Pappas helped introduce the bipartisan After Hours Child Care Act, which would improve access to affordable child care for parents working nontraditional hours. Last week he introduced the Rural Child Care Access Act, legislation to help child care providers serving small and rural areas upgrade existing facilities or construct new ones and strengthen services by creating a new grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. He is also announcing his support for:

• the Child Care for Working Families Act, which would ensure families can afford the child care they need, expand access to more high-quality options, stabilize the child care sector, and help ensure child care workers taking care of our nation’s kids are paid livable wages. It would also dramatically expand access to pre-K and support full-day, full-year Head Start programs and increase wages for Head Start workers.
• the Child Care Infrastructure Act, which would construct new or renovate existing child care facilities to increase child care capacity and ensure safe early learning facilities for children.
• the Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) for Child Care Act, which would improve access to reliable, high-quality childcare for military families by increasing hiring flexibility at Child Development Centers (CDC).
• the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, which would help local police departments establish and expand child care options for their officers and address the nationwide police staffing shortages by making it easier for parents to enter and stay in the field.

“Child care must be a national priority to support families and our economic future, and we need a comprehensive, all-of-the-above approach to address it. I’m backing legislation to help families afford child care, support providers and staff, strengthen early education, and improve access for military families, law enforcement officers, and parents who work nontraditional hours,” said Congressman Pappas. “I will continue working to ensure we have strong child care services that support providers and staff and enable kids to learn and parents to have peace of mind.”

Background:

The Child Care for Working Families Act would expand and enhance the Child Care and Development Block Grants (CCDBG) through the creation of three key programs: the Birth Through Five Child Care and Early Learning Entitlement Program, the Building an Affordable System for Early Education (BASE) Grants, and the Universal Preschool Program.

The Child Care Infrastructure Act would establish a grant program at HHS to award grants to states for the purpose of constructing new or renovating existing child care facilities to help build child care capacity and ensure safe early learning facilities for children. The bill also requires a needs assessment of the condition of child care facilities throughout the U.S. financial institutions or other organizations that have demonstrated experience in developing or financing early care and learning facilities.

The Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities (HERO) for Child Care Act would improve Child Development Centers (CDC) on military bases by establishing a Department of Defense-wide Childcare Readiness Data System that tracks capacity, staffing levels, vacancies, turnover, compensation ranges, and waitlists by installation and region. The bill would modernize hiring and staffing processes for CDC and authorize partnerships with national service volunteers trained in education services.

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act would establish a pilot program under the Administration for Children and Families to supply grants to law enforcement agencies to provide child care benefits to their officers. This bill would authorize $24 million in funding for each of the next five fiscal years for law enforcement agencies to construct or operate new centers for police departments’ exclusive use, offer scholarships to subsidize the cost of care, and provide assistance for care for children with disabilities. It would set aside 20% of the total grant funding for police departments employing fewer than 200 officers and require HHS to report to Congress on the operating status of grant recipients, employee retention and recruitment data, if needs have been met, and any unmet child care needs of other first responder sectors.

Pappas continues to advocate for investments in child care to be made in New Hampshire, including $1 million in federal dollars he secured through the Congressional appropriations process to make enhancements to the Child Study and Development Center at UNH, help create an Early Child Institute for Excellence, and improve child care and education in New Hampshire. He has heldroundtable conversations with child care workers and New Hampshire families about the urgent need to address rising costs for families by making child care more affordable.

Pappas fought for the original expansion of the Child Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan and has continuously advocated for reinstating the expanded Child Tax Credit to help Granite State families make ends meet. It’s estimated that 34,000 more children in New Hampshire would benefit from reinstating the fully expanded Child Tax Credit. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

WASHINGTON, DC — U.S. Representatives Pramila Jayapal (WA-07) and Jared Huffman (CA-02) filed an amicus brief in the case of Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum, supporting the plaintiffs. The case challenges the Department of the Interior’s unprecedented decision to feature a portrait of President Trump on America the Beautiful national park passes. 

“Trump is acting like an authoritarian, putting his face on buildings across Washington, DC, on our money, and even on American the Beautiful passes — replacing Glacier National Park,” said Jayapal. “This is flagrant self-promotion and an unacceptable politicization of our National Parks. This move also violates law passed by Congress, yet another in a long list of oversteps by the Trump’s Executive Branch of their constitutional authority.”

“Donald Trump has a sad, desperate need to see his own face everywhere he looks. The America the Beautiful pass gets a family to their first geyser, a Gold Star family to the trail their son loved most, a road tripper to a quiet morning at the rim of the canyon. These are American places, cared for and paid for by the American people. Turning that pass into a glamour shot of Trump tells every one of those Americans their parks now come stamped with his ego. They don’t. We’re going to court to keep the America the Beautiful pass exactly that, America’s,” said Huffman.

The Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act of 2004 established the America the Beautiful Pass, an annual access pass to National Parks, aiming to make public lands more accessible. Per that legislation, the passes feature the winners of an annual photo competition run by the National Park Foundation. The 2026 winner featured a photo of Glacier National Park, which will now be replaced by a picture of President Trump. Center for Biological Diversity v. Burgum aims to block the Department of the Interior from following through with this move.

The full text of the brief can be read here.

The brief was also signed by André Carson (IN-07), Ed Case (HI-01), Steve Cohen (TN-09), Debbie Dingell (MI-06), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), Seth Magaziner (RI-02), Dave Min (CA-47), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Dina Titus (NV-01), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), and Bonnie Watson Coleman (NJ-12).

Issues: Environment

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

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley as well as U.S. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Andrea Salinas, Val Hoyle, Janelle Bynum and Maxine Dexter today announced that 10 Oregon airports will receive a combined federal investment of more than $3.1 million to improve their infrastructure.

“Small airports throughout our state need and deserve federal investments so Oregonians can count on them for small business support, emergency response, secure travel and more,” Wyden said. “These federal resources advance those key objectives statewide, and I’ll keep battling for similar infrastructure investments to make all airports in Oregon better and safer.”

“Investing in critical airport improvements such as taxiways, helipads, hangars, and more increases safety and strengthens infrastructure across our state,” said Merkley. “Our regional airports are vital hubs for Oregonians, supporting local businesses and providing essential lifelines during natural disasters. I’ll keep fighting to secure critical federal funds to improve the efficiency and reliability of Oregon’s airports, benefitting the folks who rely on them for business, travel, and so much more.”

“Regional airports are critical to keeping Oregon connected,” said Rep. Bonamici. “In rural communities like Tillamook, investments in transportation infrastructure give small businesses access to markets and make communities more resilient in the event of a disaster. I’m grateful that this funding will support work at the Port of Tillamook Bay.”

“Small airports are vital for rural Oregonians,” said Rep. Salinas. “They support local businesses and enable emergency responses when our communities need them most. This $1 million investment in McMinnville Municipal Airport will replace aging infrastructure and improve safety for everyone who uses it. I’m proud to help deliver these federal dollars to the airports that keep Oregon connected, and I’ll keep pushing to make sure rural communities keep getting the federal investment they deserve.”

“These infrastructure investments across our regional airports in Corvallis, Florence, Gold Beach and Newport are a win for the economic growth of our rural and coastal communities,” said Rep. Hoyle. “We rely on these federal dollars to build up our airports’ resilience in the face of worsening wildfire seasons.”

“Making it easier to get where you need to go keeps our economy strong and makes everyday life more convenient,” said Rep. Bynum. “Regional airports connect our communities, small businesses, and ensure Oregonians don’t have to drive hours just to access reliable transportation. I am proud to work with my colleagues to secure this critical funding for Oregon.”

“Investments in small airports are invaluable and will pay dividends for Oregonians in the years to come,” said Rep. Dexter. “This funding will support critical improvements to the Troutdale Airport, a key hub for the Port of Portland and our regional economy. I will keep working to bring federal dollars into high-value projects in our community.”

The awards totaling $3.14 million from the federal Department of Transportation for the Oregon airports are as follows:

• $1 million to the city of McMinnville for McMinnville Municipal Airport to acquire and install a new wind cone to help pilots; to build 12,500 feet of perimeter fencing and 10 gates.
• $417,996 to the city of Burns for Burns Municipal Airport to build a new 1,600-square-foot snow removal equipment building
• $400,338 to the city of Florence for the Florence Municipal Airport to acquire and install a new wind cone and segmented circle navigational aid for pilots
• $289,000 to the Port of Portland for Troutdale Airport to reseal 13,000 feet of existing taxiways and joints
• $274,708 to the city of Ontario for Ontario Municipal Airport to build a new helipad
• $245,950 to the city of Corvallis for Corvallis Municipal Airport to build a new 1,300-foot north taxi lane to provide airfield access to a non-exclusive hangar development area
• $160,332 to Morrow County for the Lexington Airport to replace the precision approach path indicator for a runway; to replace and relocate the existing precision approach path indicator for another runway
• $137,000 to the city of Newport for the Newport Airport to build a new 5,250-square-foot non-exclusive use hangar for aircraft storage
• $137,000 to the Port of Tillamook Bay for the Tillamook Airport to build a new fuel farm by adding two fuel tanks and two self-service pumps and associated apron pavement for a new fuel type
• $78,063 to the Port of Gold Beach for Gold Beach Municipal Airport to reseal 3,200 feet of runway pavement; to reseal 3,200 feet of taxiway pavement

“The City of McMinnville greatly appreciates the continued federal financial support of safety and security improvements at the McMinnville Municipal Airport,” said airport manager John Paskell. “This important project provides for a significant security upgrade by adding nearly three miles of perimeter security fencing and adds an additional level of safety for pilots by installing a supplement wind cone on the Runway 4 end of the airport’s primary runway. As a developing regional general aviation airport, and as a significant economic asset and job creator in the community, continued federal infrastructure investment in airports is critical in ensuring their viability well into the future, particularly for airports in smaller communities like McMinnville. Those airport improvement dollars go a long way and help protect and preserve the airport’s financial self-sufficiency while also improving the facility.”

“This federal investment is crucial as it ensures our airport infrastructure remains fully functional year-round, which is vital for emergency response and general aviation access in Eastern Oregon,” said Burns City Manager Brenda Engebretson.

“The City of Florence is excited to receive this FAA funding to support the Beacon & Wind Cone Replacement Project at the Florence Municipal Airport,” the city said in a statement. “This project will help to improve essential airport safety infrastructure, as well as support safe and reliable aviation facilities that serve local and regional users. The Florence Municipal Airport is an economic driver for our area that provides a valuable space for commerce, emergency response, and recreational uses. The City of Florence is grateful for the continued support of this regional asset. “

“Ensuring safe and efficient operations is the Port’s top priority, and this federal investment will help to maintain taxiways at Troutdale Airport,” said Curtis Robinhold, Executive Director of the Port of Portland. “We are grateful for the Oregon delegation’s continued support for our projects to meet the diverse transportation needs of our region.” 

“The recent FAA award for the Lexington Airport to upgrade our precision approach path indicators (PAPIs), is a major win for a small regional airport like ours,” said Morrow County Commissioner Gus Peterson. “This system will allow us to continue to serve our users with improved safety and efficiency as well as allow us to be able to potentially expand in the future. Morrow County is grateful for the opportunity to continue to improve our small but important regional airport.”

“Securing funding for a new hangar is significant investment in the future of Newport Municipal Airport,” said Lance Vanderbeck, Newport Municipal Airport Director. “This project will enhance our ability to serve pilots, aircrafts, and improve overall efficiency and safety. Through this funding, we’re better positioned to meet demand and ensure the airport remains a reliable asset for our community.”

“As Mayor of Gold Beach, I know the port is critical for emergency services and is an economic development engine,” said Gold Beach Mayor Tamie Kaufman. “This work helps make sure the port can continue being an asset to our community,”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (12th District of Michigan)

U.S. Representatives Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) and Haley Stevens (D-MI-11) introduced the Vehicle Innovation Act of 2026 to promote investments in research and development of clean vehicle technologies to increase fuel efficiency, reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, strengthen our supply chains, and support American auto manufacturers and supplies.

“Innovation has always defined the American auto industry, and that must remain the case as we confront the climate crisis. The Vehicle Innovation Act invests in the research and development needed to improve vehicle efficiency, strengthen domestic supply chains, and produce cutting-edge clean vehicle technology. This legislation empowers American workers, companies, and inventors, and will help ensure that Michigan and the United States continue to lead the world in automotive innovation,” said Congresswoman Dingell. 

“Michigan researchers and manufacturers are leading the charge to make our vehicles and our roads safer. I am proud to join Congresswoman Dingell in introducing our Vehicle Innovation Act, which will invest in critical research and development, strengthen American supply chains, and create good-paying jobs right here in Michigan,” said Congresswoman Stevens.

“Auto Innovators thanks Reps. Dingell and Stevens for their leadership in introducing the Vehicle Innovation Act,” said John Bozzella, President & CEO, Alliance for Automotive Innovation. “Automakers are committed to a cleaner, safer, smarter transportation future, including major investments that have improved vehicle efficiency and advanced new safety technologies. This important legislation will support critical research and development programs needed to advance those goals while ensuring the United States remains a global leader in automotive innovation.”

The Vehicle Innovation Act reauthorizes the Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Office, which works with manufacturers and suppliers to research, develop and deploy advanced vehicle technologies that improve energy efficiency. The bill also provides the Department of Energy with clear direction to build on successful research programs and encourages the development of a wide array of technologies that have the potential to improve fuel efficiency and reduce traffic congestion.

Examples of potential fuel-saving technologies include vehicle-to-vehicle and vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2X) communications, mild hybrid, engine down speeding, power pack modeling and testing, advanced boosting systems, new vehicle sensing and communication, hydrogen and natural gas refueling and electric vehicle charging technology.

A copy of the legislation can be found HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – U.S. Representatives Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) and Greg Steube (FL-17) announced that their bipartisan Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act passed the House unanimously. The bill heads to the Senate, where companion legislation is led by Senators John Barrasso (R-WY) and Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-GA).

“When gathering information on taxpayers, the IRS is mandated by law to let them know prior to contacting any third parties like banks, employers, or even neighbors. However, those types of notices from the IRS often are vague and fail to give taxpayers a chance to provide any type of defense or details to the IRS. That can leave honest Americans blindsided and put their reputations at risk,” said Rep. Panetta. “The Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act would ensure that taxpayers are informed through carefully tailored, detailed notices, with sufficient time to resolve their issues privately. Taxpayers who have followed the law shouldn’t fear the IRS soliciting sensitive information behind their backs, and I’m glad, and it’s understandable, that my colleagues overwhelmingly passed this bipartisan legislation.” 

“At its core, this common-sense legislation is a simple due-process idea: before the IRS goes to your bank, your employer, your vendor, or another third party for information about you,” said Rep. Steube. “When you can reasonably provide that information yourself, you should be told what they’re looking for and given a fair chance to respond.”

Current federal law requires the IRS to notify taxpayers before reaching out to third parties such as banks, employers, or customers. In many cases, however, those notices lack meaningful details about what information the agency seeks. The Taxpayer Notification and Privacy Act addresses this gap by requiring that the IRS clearly identify the information it intends to request and provide taxpayers with reasonable time to respond before contacting third parties.

The bill also has the support of the National Taxpayers Union.