MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Glenn Grothman (R-Glenbeulah 6th District Wisconsin)

Rep. Grothman Denounces Antisemitic Attacks at Bondi Beach

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata on Thursday took part in a congressional hearing titled: Stopping the Bloodshed: U.S. Response to Crimes Against Humanity in Sudan. 

The hearing of the House Foreign Affairs Committee’s (HFAC) Africa Subcommittee was led by Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ), who has served in the House for 44 years, and has been the House’s leading champion of human rights and religious freedom. 

Testifying on a panel were U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom Sam Brownback, former U.S. Senator from Kansas; Tony Perkins, former chairman, U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF); Ken Isaacs, Samaritan’s Purse; and Nicole Widdersheim, Human Rights Watch. Also testifying was the U.S. State Department Deputy Assistant Secretary Vincent Spera. 

“I’ve known Ambassador Brownback since 1994, and I’ve served for years with Chairman Smith, two leading champions for religious freedom issues for so many years, who have my respect and appreciation,” said Congresswoman Amata. “I was humbled last year to speak on the House floor on the importance of religious freedom efforts and the reauthorization of USCIRF. Ambassador Brownback has an essential role as America’s primary voice for religious freedom abroad, and serves as an ex officio member of USCIRF, created by Congress to speak out on behalf of persecuted believers of any faith.”

“The population of Sudan is suffering deeply from terrible violence, especially the Christian population, and the testimony of these atrocities and famine can be difficult to even hear,” continued Congresswoman Amata. “They need our prayers and our help, and the world must know of their plight. I appreciate the commitment of Chairman Smith and these witnesses to make sure these dear people in Sudan are not forgotten.”

Amata spoke on the House floor on September 23, 2024, emphasizing the importance of U.S. efforts to protect religious freedoms worldwide, while serving as Floor Manager for House passage of the reauthorization of USCIRF, S. 3764, a bipartisan effort which passed by a vote of 365-20. (Video of her floor speech at the time is available HERE.)

In his opening statement for the hearing, Chairman Smith said, “Sudan is under the darkest of clouds, a catastrophe that has, for far too long, been met with paralysis by the international community. The people of Sudan have been subjected to unbearable pain, suffering, and loss of life—even slavery for decades,” continuing later in his remarks, “(This) hearing is a global call to action. We must demand an immediate cessation of hostilities, but peace cannot be purchased at the price of justice and accountability.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting Committee passage of bipartisan legislation, backed by representatives from the territories, to guarantee in-state tuition for students from American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. With the support of Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI), the bill successfully passed the House Education and Workforce Committee this week, advancing toward easing the financial burden faced by territorial students pursuing higher education throughout the country. 

Recently introduced by the territories’ representatives, the bill would amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require public institutions receiving federal funds to charge eligible territorial residents no more than the in-state tuition rate, provided they are U.S. nationals. Out-of-state tuition can often be two to three times higher than in-state rates, placing a disproportionate financial barrier on families who already contend with higher costs of living, limited on-island degree options, and the added burden of long-distance relocation. 

Together, the representatives are working for more affordable pathways for territory students to pursue the degrees and training needed to compete in today’s workforce, while strengthening local economies, enabling more graduates to bring home in-demand skills. 

Congresswoman Aumua Amata highlighted the long-standing challenges students face: “Our students deserve the same access to four-year University degrees that millions of students in all 50 States have. Our students often find ways to succeed despite obstacles like these, but they do not have the same opportunities for in-state university tuition that almost all the country has. I appreciate working together with my colleagues on this bipartisan priority to provide meaningfully better access to higher education for students from the four insular territories. This bill would help correct a significant financial disadvantage, opening the door to our students’ pursuit of excellent academic and career goals.”

Congressman Jim Moylan, the sponsor, stressed that the legislation is fundamentally about fairness and educational affordability: “Families on Guam and across our neighboring islands already struggle with higher costs of living, limited degree options at home, and the added expense of traveling thousands of miles to pursue their education. This bill tackles one of the biggest affordability barriers our students face and finally guarantees them equal access to the higher education opportunities their peers in the states already receive. We’re not just expanding access to college, we’re ultimately investing in the future workforce, leadership, and economic strength of our islands.” 

Committee Chairman Walberg emphasized the territories’ roles in the nation’s security as he voiced support for the bill: “Territories like Guam play a vital role in America’s national security and are important pieces of the fabric of our nation. As the Chinese Communist Party threatens U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific, this bill will help students in Guam advance their education to obtain degrees that may not have been otherwise available. These students can then return and bring back much-needed workforce skills to help keep our nation safe. As Chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee, I am proud to support every opportunity possible to help America and its territories build stronger workforce pipelines with more opportunities for individuals to thrive.”

Congresswoman Kimberlyn King-Hinds (R-CNMI) underscored how the bill directly eases financial strain for families in the Northern Marianas: “I join my colleagues in introducing legislation that affirms a simple principle: students from the territories deserve the same educational opportunities as students in the states. This bill is an important step for students from the Northern Marianas, many of whom must leave home to pursue programs not available in our islands. Expanding access to in-state tuition would ease the financial burden on working families and open more pathways for students. By extending in-state tuition to all public colleges and universities nationwide, we remove long-standing barriers to affordable higher education. I look forward to advancing this practical, commonsense benefit to support Marianas students working to further their education.” 

Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett (D-U.S. Virgin Islands) emphasized the long struggle for equitable college access: “I am proud to join Congressman Moylan (R-GU), Congresswoman Radewagen (R-AS), Congressman Hernandez (D-PR), and Congresswoman King-Hinds (R-CNMI) to introduce legislation to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to guarantee in-state tuition rates for territorial residents. This legislation addresses a fundamental inequity faced by residents of the U.S. territories. Since my first term in office, I have fought for legislation to expand college access for students in the Virgin Islands and the other U.S. territories. I secured a provision in the Build Back Better Act that would have established a college access grants program to cover the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition rates for students from the small territories. Our students deserve the same educational opportunities and pathways to success as their peers in the states, and guaranteeing instate tuition rates is essential to reducing the burden of student debt. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this legislation and make a meaningful difference for families across the territories.” 

By eliminating unaffordable out-of-state tuition rates for territorial students, the bill aims to reduce student debt, expand access to four-year colleges, and create more equitable pathways to professional and technical careers.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is highlighting final House passage of multi-year reauthorization of the United States Coast Guard, which passed the House Wednesday as part of the immense 3,000-page National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA).

Among numerous priorities, the bill includes congressional directions to conduct a homeport analysis, continue to build out the cutter fleet, and strengthen USCG Pacific presence. 

“I welcome the homeports assessment, which dovetails with the Coast Guard’s ongoing intention to thoroughly examine where to port cutters and otherwise make the best investment decisions. American Samoa is known for our exceptional harbor, and any Coast Guard decision to make it a homeport would be seen in the region as an important signal of U.S. commitment, and taking a strong stance against Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (I.U.U.) fishing. Completion of this multi-year legislative authorization enables Coast Guard planning and certainty of resources that extends beyond the next year, and takes into account the growing role and need for the Coast Guard in Pacific security.”

The Coast Guard Authorization bill, major legislation, was then combined into the even larger NDAA. The bill authorizes funding, directs the Coast Guard on congressional priorities, and supports its critical missions. Under these directives, the Coast Guard safeguards the nation’s coastal borders, facilitates maritime commerce, ensures maritime safety, prevents illegal drug trafficking, and reduces Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing on the high seas. 

In late July, the House passed the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025. On the Senate side, the Senate’s version of Coast Guard authorization was placed within the NDAA, then a House-Senate negotiated conference solved differences between the two bills, and moved the final bill forward that included Coast Guard legislation. 

The legislation builds on the $25 billion dollar investment passed in budget reconciliation legislation earlier in 2025, and in tandem with the planning of Coast Guard Force Design 2028, supporting all Coast Guard operations and the need for recapitalization of its cutter fleet, along with aviation assets, shoreside facilities, and technological capabilities. 

The bill supports the Coast Guard at more than $15 billion in the next year, takes steps to modernize the Coast Guard’s acquisition process, and assess the use of next-generation autonomous technologies. Importantly, it includes stronger statutory protections for members of the Coast Guard to prevent and prosecute any cases of sexual assault and harassment.

The legislation includes U.S.-Build requirements to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry, boosts maritime safety laws, encourages an increase in the pool of qualified U.S. merchant mariners through amended credentials, and invests in vessel safety.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative David Kustoff (TN-08)

WASHINGTON — Today, Congressman David Kustoff (TN-08) and Congressman Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) introduced the Restoring American Mineral Security Act, legislation aimed to reduce U.S. dependence on adversaries like China and Russia for critical minerals. Senators Bill Hagerty (TN) and Catherine Cortez Masto (NV) introduced the companion bill in the Senate.

“The United States cannot afford to depend on foreign adversaries for critical minerals,” said Congressman Kustoff. “This legislation takes an important step to forge a strong partnership with allied countries, stop adversarial manipulation, and strengthen our U.S. national security. A reliable supply of critical minerals is essential for our economy, our military, and our long-term competitiveness.”

“If we don’t want to lose out to the CCP and Russia in the race to control critical minerals, we need to get serious about strengthening our supply chains,” said Congressman Panetta. “The RAMS Act confronts the underhanded tactics of our foreign adversaries head-on by creating a formal alliance to ensure we have a hand on the wheel when it comes to the critical minerals market. This is a commonsense step towards protecting our economic and national security interests.”

Background:

Foreign adversaries have been flooding global markets with artificially cheap, low-quality minerals, undercutting American producers and gaining leverage over critical supply chains. China currently controls much of the world’s mining and processing capacity, leaving the United States vulnerable to unfair trade practices, price manipulation, and strategic pressure.

The Restoring American Mineral Security Act addresses these challenges by establishing the Critical Minerals Security Alliance composed of trusted member nations. Members of the alliance would:

Agree to raise tariffs on minerals from adversaries and enforce fair trade rules.

Share information on mining and processing capacity.

Be exempt from certain U.S. tariffs on critical minerals and related goods.

Reinvest tariff revenue into American and allied mineral projects.

The bill also mandates a five-year review to determine whether the alliance should expand or make other adjustments, with final approval resting with Congress.

 

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

Washington, DC — Today, U.S. Congressmen Bill Foster (D-IL) and Pete Sessions (R-TX) introduced the Responsible and Ethical AI Labeling (REAL) Act, a bipartisan piece of legislation that would require federal agencies and officers to clearly label any content published via official government channels that is generated or manipulated using generative artificial intelligence. Specifically, the bill would require labeling on any AI-generated images or videos published by an agency, or any AI-generated text that is not reviewed by a human prior to publication. 

“In an age of disinformation, Americans should be able to trust that information coming from official government sources is legitimate and based in reality. With the rapid proliferation of AI-generated content, there must be clear guidelines to ensure those at our federal agencies and in our nation’s highest office are not using AI in a way that could purposefully or inadvertently mislead the American public,” said Congressman Foster.

“I’m proud to Co-lead the REAL Act, which brings greater transparency and accountability to the federal government’s use of artificial intelligence. Our bill requires federal agencies and officials to clearly disclose when text, images, audio, or video shared with the public in their official capacity has been generated or manipulated using AI. This legislation protects agencies’ ability to use AI internally while ensuring that anything released publicly is clearly and consistently labeled. It is a commonsense step to maintain trust and strengthen transparency in government communications,” said Congressman Sessions.

A copy of the bill can be found 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 Whip Katherine Clark, where they made clear that Democrats are the only ones committed to driving down the high cost of living and fixing the Republican healthcare crisis that is devastating everyday Americans across the country.

LEADER JEFFRIES: In just two weeks, tens of millions of Americans are going to experience dramatically-increased health insurance premiums because of the Republican refusal to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. From the very beginning, Republicans have made their intentions clear. They don’t want to see the Affordable Care Act tax credits extended because they don’t support providing affordable healthcare to everyday Americans. The Republican legislation that will be on the floor this week does nothing to keep healthcare affordable for everyday Americans and they know it, which is why there’s an internal revolt amongst House Republicans, who apparently can’t even get an amendment made in order that would extend the tax credits that are about to expire.

There are 214 Democrats who have signed a discharge petition that would force an up-or-down vote on extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits to make sure that tens of millions of Americans don’t experience increased health insurance premiums that will prevent them from being able to go see a doctor when they need one. All we need are four House Republicans to join us. There are 220 of them. All we need are four, and we can extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits in a straightforward fashion, in a manner that we know also has a bipartisan majority in the United States Senate as was just demonstrated last week. The bills that are going to be on the floor this week, put forward by House Republican leadership, do nothing to lower the high cost of living. They believe, these Republican extremists, that the affordability issue is a hoax. It’s not a hoax. It’s very real. The economy has gotten worse under Donald Trump’s policies. Life has become more expensive. And Democrats are the only people in town who are committed to driving down the high cost of living and fixing our broken healthcare system.

Full press conference can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman French Hill (AR-02)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rep. French Hill (AR-02) today released the following statement after his bill, H.R. 3187, to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convey a vacant U.S. Forest Service building and surrounding land to Perry County, passed the House with overwhelming bipartisan support by a vote of 388-0.

Rep. Hill said, “I’m pleased to see my bill to convey the U.S. Forest Service building in Perryville to Perry County pass the House. It’s ridiculous that it requires an act of Congress to transfer a long-vacant building to the county, especially when the federal government continues to spend money to maintain the unused property. Today’s vote brings us one step closer to saving American taxpayers thousands and thousands of dollars and giving residents of Perryville and the surrounding communities the opportunity to put this property to work for youth programs, agricultural education, and local conservation efforts.”

“I want to thank Chairman Westerman for his partnership in moving this bill through his committee and helping advance this priority for the people of Perry County.”

Rep. Westerman (AR-04), Chairman of the Natural Resources Committee, said, “H.R. 3187 empowers Perry County to put this land to work for the community, a huge benefit to all Arkansans. This is a commonsense transfer that will provide the county with flexibility, economic opportunity, and direct stewardship of this otherwise vacant and underutilized property. I thank Representative Hill for advancing this locally driven solution and am happy to see it pass the House of Representatives.”

Perry County Judge Larry Blackmon said, “Having the vacant U.S. Forest Service building transferred to Perry County would mean a great deal to our community. It would allow us to turn the unused property into something useful for our kids, local farmers, and conservation efforts, and I’m grateful to Congressman Hill and his team for their continued efforts to make this a reality.”

Background

The 0.81-acre parcel, located at 1069 Fourche Avenue, includes a federal building operated by the U.S. Forest Service. The building is vacant, and the U.S. Forest Service has no plans to use it going forward. While the building will require repairs and updates, Perry County has the funds to make the necessary improvements. Once conveyed and repaired, the property will support permanent operations of the University of Arkansas Extension Program and the Perry County Conservation District and serve as the meeting space for the 4-H Youth Development Program.

Several local leaders and Perry County residents have voiced their support for the building to be conveyed to Perry County.

You can read the full bill text HERE.

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

Nobel Laureates, Scientists, and Advocates Rally Behind Congresswoman Haley Stevens as She Introduces Impeachment Against RFK Jr.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – ICYMI: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens formally introduced her articles of impeachment against RFK Jr. this week. Momentum continues to build as a coalition of 14 Nobel Laureates and leading scientists announced their support for her Articles of Impeachment.

MS NOW: Michigan Congresswoman Haley Stevens Leads the Charge on Impeachment of RFK Jr.

Ana Cabrera Reports

• “I’m thrilled to have 10 Nobel laureates endorsing my articles of impeachment of RFK,” said Rep. Haley Stevens.
• “I am far from a performative actor in the House of Representatives, just recently being recognized by the Center for Effective Lawmaking as the most effective Democrat in the chamber for technology policy and the most effective Democrat for Michigan writ large in the chamber.”
• “I get things done, but my job is also accountability. I’m the one having these conversations with families who are devastated because these clinical trials are on the line. I’m hearing from women and, frankly, their children who are insulted because of false claims being made about Tylenol, and so we’ve got to put public health first, and that’s why I’ve taken this step.”

NBC NEWS: House Democrat files impeachment articles against RFK Jr.

By: Scott Wong

• Stevens said she had heeded the call of pro-science groups, who have warned that Kennedy’s 10-month tenure leading HHS has cost American lives and that he must be removed.
• “It’s a public health and safety issue…and when I have Michiganders who have daughters or sons going through clinical cancer research trials that are stopped in the middle because of RFK, when I introduce legislation to reinstitute the funding for those clinical trials, and it doesn’t get done … when I’ve called on him to step down and he doesn’t, this is a safety issue.”
• “I’m a very serious lawmaker. I get a lot done here,” she continued. “But I’m not going to sit quietly by while people’s health and safety and lives are on the line.”

The Hill: House Democrat files articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.

By Sarah Fortinsky

• Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) said on Wednesday she filed articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., calling him “the biggest self-created threat to our health and safety.”
• “RFK Jr. has got to go. Today, I introduced Articles of Impeachment to remove him from office. RFK Jr. has turned his back on science and public health and on the American people,” Stevens said in a video statement released on the social platform X.
• “Under his watch, families are less safe, health care costs are skyrocketing, and lifesaving research, including right here in Michigan, is being gutted,” she said in the video. “RFK Jr. is the biggest self-created threat to our health and safety.”
• “I cannot and I will not stand by while one man dismantles decades of medical progress,” she continued. “Enough is enough, and that is why I’m pushing to impeach RFK Jr., to hold him accountable and to protect the health, safety and future of every Michigander because our health, our science and our future are worth fighting for.”
• In late September, Stevens introduced the “Stop RFK’s BS Act,” which would reverse funding cuts Kennedy has overseen.

MedPage Bill: House Democrat Files Articles of Impeachment Against RFK Jr.

By: Jennifer Henderson

• Rep. Haley Stevens (D-Mich.) announced that she introduced articles of impeachment against HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on Wednesday.
• The articles of impeachment contend that Kennedy “has imperiled the health and safety of the American people, eroded public confidence in the nation’s public health institutions, and stalled decades of scientific and medical progress.”
• Stevens pointed to a series of actions taken by Kennedy, including cutting funding for lifesaving research; restricting access to COVID vaccines for pregnant women and healthy children; and firing all 17 previous members of the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) and replacing them with a smaller handpicked group.
• Stevens’ move closely follows the 2-day ACIP meeting last week, during which the panel discussed shrinking the childhood vaccination schedule and setting up a workgroup to assess the safety of aluminum adjuvants in vaccines, on top of voting to drop the recommendation for the hepatitis B vaccine for all babies at birth.

MLive ‘Enough is enough’: Rep. Haley Stevens moves to impeach RFK Jr.

By: Justin P. Hicks

• U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has introduced articles of impeachment against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
• Stevens, a Democrat from Birmingham, accused Kennedy Jr. of weaponizing misinformation and being a danger to the health of Michiganders and people nationwide.
• “Secretary Kennedy is driving up costs, endangering lives, undermining public health, betraying public trust, and threatening Michigan families and our world class research institutions…These are violations of his oath of office.”

Detroit Metro Times: Rep. Stevens moves to impeach RFK Jr. for ‘putting lives at risk,’ spreading conspiracies

By: Steve Neavling

• U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens…introduced articles of impeachment Tuesday against Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., accusing him of endangering public health, dismantling scientific institutions, and slashing critical medical research.
• Stevens also accuses Kennedy of restricting access to vaccines, withdrawing federal recommendations for COVID shots for pregnant women and healthy children, and pushing “wild and unfounded claims” to limit access to Tylenol.
• Stand Up for Science, a group that supports stronger scientific standards in government, has backed Stevens and said it’s “ready to hold Secretary Kennedy accountable.”

The Alpena News: Michigan congresswoman Haley Stevens introduces articles of impeachment against RFK Jr.

By: Alpena News Staff

• United States House of Representative Haley Stevens (D-MI) formally introduced Articles of Impeachment against Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to a press release on Wednesday.
• In the release, she cites Kennedy’s “dangerous actions that have endangered public health and gutted lifesaving medical research.”
• According to the release, the impeachment effort is supported by Stand Up for Science, an organization dedicated to defending and advancing America’s scientific ecosystem.
   

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Scott (GA-13)

Read Bill Text

WASHINGTON D.C. – Today, Congressman David Scott (GA-13), was joined by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) and Congressman Cleo Fields (LA-06), all senior members of the House Financial Services Committee, in introducing new legislation to bolster the quality, accountability, and effectiveness of housing counseling services nationwide. The Reforms to Housing Counseling & Financial Literacy Programs Act of 2025 would provide the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) with enhanced authority to review the performance of housing counseling agencies and individual counselors—ensuring that families who rely on these services receive the highest standard of guidance on homeownership, foreclosure prevention, and financial stability.

Housing counseling agencies approved by HUD play a critical role in helping families navigate the road to responsible homeownership. Housing counselors are often the first line of defense for homeowners to avoid foreclosure, repair credit health, and build long-term financial stability. Unfortunately, current statutory authority limits HUD’s ability to rigorously review counselor performance, intervene when counselors underperform, and ensure consistent quality across the national housing counseling network.

“When housing counseling is low-performing, inaccurate, or poorly supervised, it does not simply fail to help—it actively increases default risk, erodes household wealth, and undermines the integrity of our federal housing programs,” said Congressman David Scott. “We are doing a disservice to the borrowers who accept higher interest rates or are steered toward higher-cost, riskier products despite qualifying for safer government-backed options. Congress has a responsibility to ensure counseling services for homebuyers remains high-quality, data-driven, and accountable. Our bill ensures that the federal government is investing in counseling programs that work—and intervening when they don’t. Stronger oversight means stronger outcomes for Georgia families, first-generation homebuyers, and communities striving to close the racial wealth gap.”

“As co-chair of the Financial Literacy and Wealth Creation Caucus, I have long advocated for housing counseling to ensure hardworking families and first-time homebuyers have the financial skills they need to understand their mortgage terms, prevent foreclosure, and maintain stable housing,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “This commonsense bill advances that effort by expanding foreclosure mitigation counseling to borrowers who are 30 days or more delinquent on mortgage payments. As families across the country face an affordability crisis, we must give them more tools—not less—to weather the storm.”

“Louisiana families deserve quality housing counseling, especially as we continue rebuilding from past disasters,” said Congressman Cleo Fields. “This bill ensures that counselors meet consistent standards while protecting access to these critical services in underserved communities. I’m pleased this legislation provides funding through the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund to ensure delinquent borrowers can access foreclosure mitigation counseling. For families on the brink of losing their homes, cost should never be a barrier to getting help.”

The Reforms to Housing Counseling & Financial Literacy Programs Act of 2025 amends Section 106 of the Housing and Urban Development Act of 1968 to give HUD enhanced authority to review the performance of housing counseling agencies and individual counselors. Under the proposal:

• HUD would be empowered to conduct periodic on-site reviews and evaluate whether counseling agencies and counselors are meeting program requirements.
• If a counselor’s performance falls short, HUD could require additional education, establish a probationary period to demonstrate improvement, and mandate retesting when persistent deficiencies are found.
• Counselors who remain out of compliance after multiple opportunities to improve could face enhanced oversight or permanent loss of certification.
• Borrowers with certain federally insured or guaranteed mortgages who become delinquent would be provided an opportunity, through the Mutual Mortgage Insurance Fund, to access HUD-approved counseling.

If adopted, the proposal would significantly strengthen HUD’s capacity to identify underperforming programs early, direct resources where they are most needed, and improve outcomes in communities disproportionately harmed by predatory lending, high foreclosure rates, and limited access to trustworthy financial guidance.

Full text of the bill can be accessed HERE.

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