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Foster Statement on Vote to Extend ACA Tax Credits

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

Washington, DC – Today, Congressman Bill Foster (D-IL) issued the following statement:

“I voted YES to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits and stop health care premiums from skyrocketing for Illinois families. After deliberate inaction from the Republican-controlled Congress, ACA tax credits were allowed to expire at the beginning of this year. Today’s vote was Congress’ last opportunity to pass a clean, three-year extension and reverse these premium increases.

“Republican cuts to the ACA, Medicare, and Medicaid impact everyone, even those who don’t receive health care coverage from those programs. When people lose coverage and go uninsured, they’re more likely to show up to the emergency room. This raises rates for everyone.

“For months, my Democratic colleagues and I have been fighting to extend tax credits, fix our broken health care system, and make life more affordable for people in Illinois. Despite efforts by President Trump and Republican leadership to block action and allow premiums to double or even triple, a few House Republicans joined us to force a vote and pass this bill. It is now up to the Senate to get this legislation to the President’s desk.”

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Congressman Cohen Votes for $3 Million in Justice Department Spending for Memphis and Shelby County

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

Memphis Police, Shelby County District Attorney and Youth Violence prevention projects

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today voted for a fiscal year 2026 appropriations bill to fund more than $3 million for U.S. Department of Justice-funded community projects in Memphis and Shelby County.

The measure will provide $1,031,000 for the Memphis Police Department for software improvements; $1,031,000 for the Shelby County District Attorney’s Victims/Witness and Data Collection Services to support digital forensics to recover, analyze and preserve electronic data, including funding for the YWCA of Greater Memphis domestic violence shelter; and $1,031,000 for the City of Memphis Youth Violence Prevention initiative to increase services to youth and families to disrupt the pipeline to prison and will work with community organizations Heal 901 and Pure Academy.

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Investing in local public safety initiatives like these will improve lives and modernize our approach to policing. I’m pleased to be able to direct targeted funding to our law enforcement operations. The youth violence initiative will disrupt the pipeline to prison and lead to brighter futures for vulnerable young people.”

The measure must still be voted on in the Senate and signed into law by the president.

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Congressman Cohen Says Killing in Minneapolis was Unjustified

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

WASHINGTON – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today addressed the shooting death of a 37-year-old U.S. citizen by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent Wednesday in Minneapolis at a committee markup. 

In his remarks, Congressman Cohen said in part:

“What happened in Minneapolis strikes at the heart of this country – strikes freedom, the opportunity to participate in the demonstrations. I guess the way the car was parked was a demonstration of disapproval of what the government was doing…What happened to that woman was unjustified. I didn’t say it was murder; that’s for a jury to decide…

“For Kristi Noem to say it was domestic terrorism…is just false. The president said it was terrorism and that the officer had been hit by the car and was in the hospital. That was lying to the American public…

“What this committee needs to look at, Mr. Chairman, is how these people are trained, what qualifications they have…

“They’re arresting people who are here in the country illegally, which is normally a civil offense and a misdemeanor. That’s who they’re stopping. Over 90 percent of their stops are people who don’t have a criminal record whatsoever. The people of Minneapolis don’t want that. The people of Memphis don’t want that. The people throughout this country think it’s wrong…Get the worst of the worst but don’t tell us you’re getting the worst of the worst when that’s hardly anybody you’re getting.”

Congressman Cohen also expressed his concern that ICE employment recruitment advertising suggests it is seeking local law enforcement officers who feel they are “handcuffed” buy legal restrictions at their agencies with the inference that, as ICE agents, those regulations would be removed.

See Congressman Cohen’s entire remarks here.

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Rep. Mike Levin Advances $26 Million for San Luis Rey River Project

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

January 08, 2026

Funds Will Increase Flood Protection for Oceanside & Repair Levee System

Washington, D.C.—Today, Rep. Mike Levin (CA-49) advanced $26 million for the San Luis Rey River project in the government funding package that passed the House on a bipartisan vote. The funds will be used to increase flood protection for Oceanside residents by repairing the San Luis Rey River levee system and removing sediment in the river channel.

For years, Oceanside’s flood protection system has been deteriorating and neglected, threatening public safety. This funding will mitigate risks to better protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure. Furthermore, sediment removal from the river may be used to replenish sand on nearby beaches.

“For too long, Oceanside’s flood protection system has been unable to adequately protect residents, businesses, and infrastructure,” said Rep. Levin. “This funding will start to make much needed improvements. It will begin the work to upgrade the system, fix the levees, and provide much needed flood protection that will mitigate risk to nearby residents. I look forward to this funding coming to our community and making a real difference.”

The San Luis Rey River Project Flood Risk Reduction Project was authorized in 1970 with the intention of providing a 250-year level of flood protection. Unfortunately, various challenges associated with the project halted construction on several occasions, causing the project’s costs to increase. Additionally, the project’s challenges limited critical levee repair efforts and channel sediment removal work. Meanwhile, flood protection has dipped to a 70-year level, far below the 250-year level of protection envisioned in the project authorization.

The $26 million will be used to begin work towards sediment removal, levee repair, and potential sand plug removal. Funds will also be used for continued geotechnical analyses, environmental coordination, hydrology updates and hydraulic analysis, and the monitoring of both water quality and local species.

This investment builds on the more than $1 billion secured by Rep. Levin in federal funding since entering Congress in 2019. The package that includes these funds now heads to the Senate, where it is expected to pass. It will then need to be signed by the President.

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Casten Secures Over $2 Million for Projects in IL-06

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Sean Casten (IL-06)

January 08, 2026

Washington, D.C. (January 8, 2026) — Today, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) successfully secured over $2 million in federal investment for local projects throughout the 6th Congressional District in government funding bills passed by the House of Representatives.

The funding includes $950,000 for research equipment at Elmhurst University and $1.1 Million for the City of Palos Heights to ensure residents of Palos and Northwestern Community Hospital have a secondary water source, should the primary source become compromised. The projects were selected by Rep. Casten as two of 15 Community Funding Projects in the 6th Congressional District.

“I’m incredibly proud to have advocated for and secured over $2 million for the 6th Congressional District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “This funding helps ensure folks in our community always have access to clean drinking water and that our local universities have the top-notch technology necessary to stay at the forefront of medical research.”

The legislation should soon receive consideration in the Senate and become law. Rep. Casten expects additional Community Project Funding for Illinois’ 6th Congressional District to pass the House later this month.

Information on the Community Project Funding for Elmhurst University and the City of Palos can be found below.

In addition to securing this Community Project Funding, Rep. Casten also successfully advocated for $41 million for the Morton Arboretum, including $14 million for Landscape Sale Restoration and $37 million for Urban and Community Forestry.

“Morton Arboretum is one of the true treasures of the 6th District,” said Rep. Sean Casten. “This funding will go a long way towards improving forestry throughout the Chicagoland area.”

Community Project Funding Information

Project Sponsor: Elmhurst University’s Health Sciences Research Equipment

Project Address: 190 Prospect Avenue, Elmhurst, IL, 60126

Amount Secured: $950,000

Project Description: $950,000 for the purchase of equipment to advance cutting-edge technology research in the field of health sciences. The equipment will create a modern skills lab where researchers can practice and demonstrate assessment and intervention skills in a realistic and convenient setting. The technological settings will mirror various healthcare settings such as emergency rooms, hospital rooms, labor and delivery rooms, and operating theaters to fully immerse researchers in the clinical experience. The lab and simulation spaces will have life-like mannequins and modern medical equipment, including an anatomy table and a high-tech, 3D anatomy system. This new technology will enable researchers to conduct studies that have the potential to advance the field of health sciences significantly.

Project Sponsor: City of Palos Heights

Project Address: 7607 W College Drive, Palos Heights IL 60463

Amount Secured: $1.1 Million

Project Description: This project will upgrade the 80th Ave Pump Station to provide the City of Palos and the Northwestern Community Hospital with a secondary water source in an event the primary source becomes compromised.

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Rep. Aguilar Votes to Extend Affordable Care Act Tax Credits and Lower Health Care Costs for Millions of Americans

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

House Democrats have taken action and now it’s up to Senate Republicans to join Democrats in sending this legislation to President Trump’s desk to lower health care costs 
Today, Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) released the following statement on his vote in support of a three-year extension of the Affordable Care Act tax credits to lower health care costs after Republicans let these subsidies expire at the end of 2025:  
“After months of sounding the alarm on the health care crisis in this country, House Democrats successfully forced a vote on legislation to reduce health insurance costs for hardworking people.
“By restoring and extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits for three more years, health care premiums will remain affordable for more than 1.7 million Californians and millions of Americans across the country. At a time when Americans are already facing an affordability crisis thanks to Donald Trump and Republican economic policies, we need to be doing everything in our power to cut costs across the board.
“Now, we have a real path forward in Congress to restore this vital lifeline. I urge Senate Republicans to join us in putting the hardworking American families we represent first. The American people can’t afford any more delays.”

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REP LIEU STATEMENT ON CONGRESSMAN STENY HOYER'S RETIREMENT ANNOUNCEMENT

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ted Lieu (33 District of California)

WASHINGTON – Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D-Los Angeles County) issued the following statement on the retirement of Congressman Steny Hoyer.

“Congressman Steny Hoyer’s dedication to Congress as an institution and to our democracy as a force for good is unparalleled. Throughout his remarkable career, he has been a tireless advocate for Marylanders and a trusted, generous colleague to so many of us. At his core, Congressman Hoyer has always been driven by a commitment to making our country safer, healthier, and more just. His decades of public service are defined by consequential legislative achievements that have tangibly improved the lives of countless Americans. Many Americans have benefited from his work, including his role in advancing the Americans with Disabilities Act, a landmark law that ensured fuller participation in American life for people with disabilities. At home, he was an unwavering champion for Maryland, and the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries are cleaner and healthier because of his leadership and persistence. In his various roles in House Democratic Leadership, including as Majority Leader, Congressman Hoyer served as a mentor and friend to generations of lawmakers, myself included. We are profoundly grateful for his extraordinary service to Maryland and to the nation. He will be deeply missed in the halls of Congress.”

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McGovern, Massie, Castro Reintroduce Bipartisan War Powers Resolution to Block Trump’s Escalating Hostilities Toward Venezuela

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jim McGovern (D-MA)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—In the aftermath of the Trump administration’s military strike against Venezuela, Representatives Jim McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and Co-Chair of the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission; Thomas Massie (R-KY); and Joaquin Castro (D-TX), Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s Western Hemisphere Subcommittee, today reintroduced a bipartisan War Powers Resolution to block further U.S. hostilities within or against Venezuela absent explicit authorization from Congress.

A nearly identical resolution introduced by McGovern, Massie and Castro forced a floor debate on December 17th, 2025 and failed by just two votes, with a final tally of 211-213.

Their reintroduction follows the White House admitting “it’s a war”in Venezuela, claiming that America is going to “run the country,” and refusing to rule out more U.S. troops in the country—alarming signals that America is being dragged toward a dangerous, expensive, and open-ended quagmire without constitutional authority or congressional oversight.

“Donald Trump should be focused on America, not Venezuela,” said Congressman McGovern. “Instead, he is bragging that ‘it’s a war,’ claiming the United States is ‘running the country,’ and leaving the door wide open to more troops and strikes—all without congressional authorization. These reckless actions are unconstitutional and illegal, and Congress has a responsibility to stop this before it spirals into another disastrous and costly quagmire. There’s no question Maduro is a tyrant who stole power—but the Venezuelan people deserve to decide their own future, and the American people deserve a Congress that debates and votes before more troops are put in harm’s way.”

“This is not about drugs; this is about oil and regime change. It’s an insult to the intelligence of Americans to frame it as an arrest by the DOJ. Our troops are not pawns to be risked for the profits of oil companies and investment bankers,” said Congressman Massie.

“The president has dragged the country into an illegal war with Venezuela,” said Congressman Castro. “We know this war is not about protecting democracy or the security of the American people. It’s about oil and land. The President has said that he is in charge of Venezuela. Instead of addressing the cost of living for Americans, the President wants to spend billions of dollars rebuilding Venezuela and benefit his oil executive friends. Every House member needs to be on the record about whether they support yet another nation building effort, this time in Venezuela.”

Introduced pursuant to the War Powers Resolution of 1973, the measure is privileged and must receive consideration by the House if called up.

“Members of Congress who voted against stopping this escalation the first time should think carefully about whether they want their names forever attached to what may well become a massive strategic blunder and a foreign policy nightmare that lingers on for decades to come,” McGovern added. “Now is the moment to draw the line.” 

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Protecting the Environment and Local Law Enforcement Big Winners in Larsen-backed Bills

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Rick Larsen (2nd Congressional District Washington)

Protecting the Environment and Local Law Enforcement Big Winners in Larsen-backed Bills

Washington, D.C., January 8, 2026

Today, Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement after voting yes on a package of three Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) spending bills. The package passed the House with bipartisan support on a 397-28 vote and now heads to the Senate for consideration. 

“I am glad that this legislative package includes the funding I requested to improve marine research and community safety in Whatcom County,” said Rep. Larsen. “Today my colleagues and I voted to continue funding that protects the environment, grows local economies and supports law enforcement, despite the President’s best efforts to defund these priorities. I will keep working closely with Northwest Washington leaders to bring home federal dollars that improve the communities I represent.” 

Larsen’s Requested Funding for Local Projects Included 

Last year, Rep. Larsen requested $1.6 million for two Whatcom County community projects. Funding for those projects is included in the FY26 spending package. 

  • $1,031,000 for Western Washington University’s (WWU) Shannon Point Marine Center Research Vessel: This funding will support acquisition of a new research vessel for WWU marine and coastal science educational and research activities.  

  • $600,000 for Whatcom County Sheriff Office’s Portable Radio Replacement Project: This funding will support the purchase of new portable radios to replace outdated radios that are failing, allowing deputies to communicate clearly with dispatch and each other.  

“Congressional support from Representative Rick Larsen for a new research vessel at Western Washington University’s Shannon Point Marine Center is a vital investment in the Salish Sea,” said WWU President Sabah Randhawa. “This vessel will expand hands-on learning for students, create new research opportunities for faculty, and strengthen partnerships with Tribal nations and state agencies advancing critical research and restoration in the North Puget Sound. We are deeply grateful to Representative Larsen for his leadership and support.” 

Larsen Priorities for Environment, Economic Development, Law Enforcement Included 

The final package also provides funding for several Northwest Washington priorities, including: 

  • $65 million for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund, which supports state and Tribal habitat restoration projects to reverse the decline of Pacific salmon and steelhead and support conservation efforts in Washington and the Pacific Northwest. 

  • $1.285 million for Washington’s Regional Fisheries, restoring funding the Administration refused to allocate in Fiscal Year 2025. In August, Rep. Larsen and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) led Washington state’s Democratic Congressional delegation in sending a letter to Department of Interior Secretary Doug Burgum urging him to reverse the Trump administration’s disastrous decision to eliminate funding for Regional Fisheries Enhancement Groups (RFEGs). 

  • $40 million for the National Estuary Program (NEP), which is a non-regulatory program that supports locally driven efforts to restore and protect the environmental and economic health of 28 estuaries of national significance, including Puget Sound. In June, Rep. Larsen introduced bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the NEP through 2031. 

  • $1 million to establish a new Northwest Regional Commission that will coordinate economic development opportunities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana. 

  • $964 million for the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, which provides funding for regional drug task forces that help Washington state communities fight the opioid epidemic. 

  • $800 million for Community Oriented Policing Services Grants, which awards funds to hire community policing professionals, develop and test innovative policing strategies, and provide training and technical assistance to community members, local government leaders, and all levels of law enforcement. 

  • $720 million for the Violence Against Women Act, which provides survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking with lifesaving legal services and transitional housing to help rebuild their lives. 

In November, Rep. Larsen secured $2.1 million in the Fiscal Year 2026 Agriculture spending bill for three local projects in Island and San Juan counties. Since 2022, Larsen has secured nearly $64 million for 43 projects in Northwest Washington state through annual spending bills. 

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Dingell Statement on Steny Hoyer’s Retirement

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

Dingell Statement on Steny Hoyer’s Retirement

Washington, January 8, 2026

Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-06) released the following statement in response to Congressman Steny Hoyer’s announcement that he will not seek reelection.

“Steny Hoyer is a long-time friend, partner, colleague, and someone I have always been able to turn to. He has been a steadfast, hardworking representative for his constituents for more than four decades and helped shape some of Congress’ most important work as a member of House leadership. Something we have always shared and worked closely on is disability advocacy, and he was foundational to passing the Americans with Disabilities Act, which has changed our country for the better.  He has always led with civility, courage, and a willingness to work with anyone to get the job done. I am proud to call him a dear friend, and I will miss calling him a colleague, but this retirement is well deserved.”