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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jason Crow (D-CO-06), a combat veteran and member of the House Armed Services Committee, today said he has no confidence in President Trump’s plan for Venezuela.

Speaking after a classified briefing for Congress by administration officials, Crow warned that America will be less safe and prosperous if it extorts foreign countries for oil and tries to be a part of more nation-building efforts overseas.

Crow was joined by fellow veteran Representatives Seth Moulton (D-MA-06), Pat Ryan (D-NY-18), Ted Lieu (D-CA-36), Mike Thompson (D-CA-04), Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA-06), Chris Deluzio (D-PA-17), Eugene Vindman (D-VA-07), Maggie Goodlander (D-NH-02), Derek Tran (D-CA-45), Gil Cisneros (D-CA-31), and Jimmy Panetta (D-CA-19).

Watch Congressman Crow’s remarks here, and find a transcript of them below.

In his remarks, Crow said:

“Thank you, Jimmy, and thank you to my fellow veterans. It’s always an honor to stand with them in defense of our Constitution and our nation. 

“I must say, as a three-time combat veteran, I get pretty damn hot when a five-time draft dodger bangs the war drums, and talks about how easy it is to send boots on the ground in a foreign country. It’s a pattern of abusing our military, disrespecting our military, that continues to this day. 

“You know, I learned years ago that when elites bang the war drums and talk tough in Washington D.C., they’re not talking about them or their kids going to do the thing, they’re talking about kids like me, working class folks from around this country, where I grew up, that have to pick up a gun, jump into a helicopter, or a tank, or a ship, and go do the hard work. 

“And that’s why I bristle when elites once more in this town are so cavalier about the use of American lives and the use of American military power. Let’s also be clear that our job as members of Congress is not to be cheerleaders. You’ve seen all sorts of our Republican colleagues talking about how amazing this operation was, I agree with them. There’s no doubt that we have the ability to go almost anywhere in the world, and at the time and place of our choosing, kill or capture our adversaries or our enemies. That is true, but that’s not our job as members of Congress. Our job is to make sure that’s being done the right way, and for the right reasons, and we’re being stewards of the taxpayer dollar. 

“Here are some things we know to be true, there’s a lot we don’t know, but here are some things we do know to be true. This is not about drugs, and this will not stop the scourge of fentanyl and meth that is killing our children and devastating our communities, because none of those drugs actually come from Venezuela. The drugs that are actually killing our kids are coming from other places. 

“Here’s another thing we know to be true: this is not about democracy and freedom for the people of Venezuela, because you’ve just heard over and over again that the Maduro regime remains intact. In fact, it’s more oppressive sitting here today than it ever has been. 

“What this is is Donald Trump acting like an organized crime boss and using our military to shake down foreign leaders. Not only is that wrong and illegal, but it’s gonna undermine the safety and security of the American people. Because a smaller, weaker America with fewer friends means we have to go it alone. And when we go it alone, Americans have to suffer the consequences. 

“That’s what this is about. That’s what we will continue to fight back against. That is what our duty and our oath compel.”

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

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Robert Aderholt (AL-04)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the FY26 Energy and Water; Commerce, Justice, Science; and Interior and Environment conference package, negotiated on a bipartisan, bicameral basis. This package includes funding for a project in the city of Guntersville in Marshall County, which Congressman Aderholt had directly requested.

The project receiving funds is an expansion of the sanitary sewer into the Warrenton area of Guntersville for $2,174,898. This growing area, with new subdivisions, is currently not connected to the city sewer system and relies on septic tanks. The conversion of septic tanks and field lines to grinder pumps and low-pressure force mains will reduce the potential for biological contaminants to Lake Guntersville.

Community Project Funding returns tax dollars directly to local communities, ensuring federal spending addresses local needs and represents constituents.

“Republicans are delivering America First results by restoring U.S. energy dominance, strengthening nuclear deterrence, bolstering public safety, and eliminating Biden-era policies. This is responsible, transparent work in action,” said Congressman Robert Aderholt. “Appropriators are committed to restoring regular order to the committee process and are doing exactly what we said we would for the American people. Delivering real results.”

Appropriators have worked hard negotiating and finalizing bills. This Appropriations package keeps the committee on track to complete all 12 FY26 Appropriations bills.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mike Thompson Representing the 5th District of CALIFORNIA

Washington – Today, House Gun Violence Prevention Task Force Chairman Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-04) released the following statement marking 15 years since the shooting in Tucson, Arizona that targeted former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords. Six people were killed and 14 others were injured, including Giffords.

“Fifteen years ago, Gabby Giffords went to work to serve her constituents at a routine constituent event. That day, a horrific act of gun violence shattered lives forever. Six people were killed, 14 others were injured, and a community, and our nation, were left grieving.

“In the years since, Gabby has shown extraordinary courage and resolve. She refused to let violence define her or our future, turning tragedy into action and becoming one of the most powerful voices in the fight to prevent gun violence. I’m proud to call her a friend and to have worked alongside her to pass lifesaving legislation like the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to keep guns out of dangerous hands.

“On this anniversary, we honor the lives lost—Christina-Taylor Green, Dorothy Morris, John Roll, Phyllis Schneck, Dorwan Stoddard, and Gabe Zimmerman. Christina-Taylor Green was just nine years old, taken far too soon, and Gabe Zimmerman was the first congressional staffer killed in the line of duty. We remember them, mourn with their loved ones, and recommit ourselves to the fight to keep our communities safe from gun violence.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07), Co-Chair of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), and fellow Co-Chairs Reps. Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to President Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, alongside 65 additional international organizations.

 

“Today, President Donald Trump sent a dangerous signal to the global community that America is withdrawing from its role as a world leader, leaving America weaker, poorer, and more unsafe than ever before. 

“By directing the withdrawal of the United States from 66 international organizations, including numerous international climate and environmental entities, Trump is abandoning America’s international leadership and allowing competitors and adversaries to step into the void we leave behind. At a time when climate change impacts are accelerating – whether it’s ever-worsening fire seasons, more intense hurricanes, or prolonged droughts – choosing withdrawal over leadership is shortsighted and profoundly irresponsible. Climate change does not respect borders, and we cannot address this crisis alone.

“All Donald Trump has succeeded in today was throwing away decades of leadership and global collaboration on key issues that were actively improving the lives of the American people.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis. 

“Secretary Kristi Noem is an incompetent leader, a disgrace to our democracy, and I am impeaching her for obstruction of justice, violation of public trust, and self-dealing. Secretary Noem wreaked havoc in the Chicagoland area, and now, her rogue ICE agents have unleashed that same destruction in Minneapolis, fatally shooting Renee Nicole Good,” said Rep. Kelly. “From Chicago to Charlotte to Los Angeles to Minneapolis, Secretary Noem is violating the Constitution while ruining—and ending—lives, and separating families. It’s one thing to be incompetent and dangerous, but it’s impeachable to break the rule of law. I told my constituents and Chicagoans that I would fight against Secretary Noem’s agenda. This is me fighting back.”

Rep. Kelly will file three articles of impeachment against Secretary Noem: 

1. Obstruction of Congress: Secretary Noem willfully obstructed Congressional oversight and withheld Congressionally appropriated funds in violation of her constitutional oath and federal law.
2. Violation of Public Trust: Secretary Noem compromised public safety, violated due process of American citizens, and directed unconstitutional actions.
3. Self-Dealing: Secretary Noem abused her office for personal benefit and steered federal dollars to associates. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee, today announced more than $14 million in Community Project Funding (CPF) for communities in Maine’s First Congressional District. The funding, which was included in the “minibus” funding package that passed the House today, includes $12.3 million to improve the water infrastructure in five First District towns; $1 million to establish a pilot Criminal Justice Clinic at the University of Maine School of Law; and $1 million for Northeastern University’s Roux Institute in Portland. With passage in the House, the funding bill will now head to the Senate for consideration.

The five water infrastructure projects secured by Pingree were included in the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies funding bill for Fiscal Year 2026.

“Clean, reliable water infrastructure is essential to public health, environmental protection, and economic growth,” said Pingree. “Across Maine, many communities are relying on systems that are decades old and increasingly vulnerable to breakdowns, contamination, and extreme weather. These investments will help modernize aging infrastructure, strengthen wastewater treatment, and reduce pollution flowing into our rivers, lakes, and coastal waters—resources that are critical to Maine’s economy and way of life. By securing this funding, we’re making sure communities large and small can plan for the future, ensuring that the next generation of Mainers has access to safe, reliable, and resilient water systems.”

The funded projects Pingree secured are as follows:

• $3,250,000 for the Clinton Water District to construct a new sewer main along Railroad and Church Streets, as the present one is from the late 1940s and is nearing the end of its useful life.

• $1,093,276 for the North Berwick Wastewater Project for upgrading their Wastewater Treatment Facility to replace aging equipment, including pump stations, that has reached the end of its useful life and become less energy efficient.

• $4,000,000 for the North Haven Wastewater Project for upgrading components of the original North Haven 1986 wastewater treatment plant and increasing the facility’s resilience to sea level rise and other climate-related damages, and complying with regulations limiting the land application of biosolids.

• $1,000,000 for RSU 14 (Windham) Wastewater Project to extend the North Windham Sewer Line to the Windham High School Campus, which would allow the school district to retire its outdated 1960s-era wastewater treatment plant that currently discharges treated effluent into the Pleasant River (a Class B River).

• $3,000,000 for the South Berwick Wastewater Project: for upgrading the existing wastewater treatment facility’s 60-year-old influent pump station (which serves the entirety of the District), adding flood protection measures to provide resiliency to climate change, and mitigating flood damage to critical equipment.

In addition to these projects included in the Interior funding bill, today’s minibus funding package includes two of Pingree’s selected CPF projects in the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies bill for FY26:

• $1,031,000 for Northeastern University’s Roux Institute for its project: “Accelerating the Development of Plastic Alternatives and Other Products Derived from Maine’s Natural Resources.” The funding will be used to invest in equipment for advanced manufacturing of sustainable materials and biomanufacturing to support workforce training and accessible research from ideation to product development in the next generation of bioproducts derived from natural resources such as timber, agricultural waste, and seaweed.

• $1,000,000 for the University of Maine School of Law to establish a pilot Criminal Justice Clinic. Through this new program, the University hopes to provide much-needed support for Maine’s overstretched criminal-justice system by providing student attorneys in indigent defense cases—while helping train the state’s future legal workforce.

“Maine has a serious backlog of criminal adjudications, and UMaine’s new Criminal Justice Clinic helps address that problem in a real, meaningful way. If you’re an aspiring attorney, there’s no better experience than being in the courtroom—working on real cases, helping real people, and learning how the criminal justice system works,” Pingree said. “I’m also thrilled to support the Roux Institute’s work to accelerate development of sustainable materials from Maine’s natural resources. This investment will help grow our clean manufacturing sector, strengthen the workforce, and ensure Maine remains at the forefront of innovation in bio-based products. These are great examples of how Community Project Funding directly helps our communities—solving problems today while building the workforce Maine needs for the future.”

November’s Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Appropriations Bill funding bill included $6.2 million for six other community projects selected—bringing the total for Pingree’s FY26 CPF projects to $20,555,275.

Pingree has been a member of the House Appropriations Committee since 2013 and is Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.

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

Washington, D.C. –Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is welcoming House passage of a major appropriations bill for several departments of the U.S. government, which boosts funding for American Samoa’s DOI Operations. The bill, which passed 397-28, adds $900,000 for a new total of $29 million – that despite the overall trimming of the Office of Insular Affairs spending for the year. An upcoming Senate vote is expected, and House/Senate leaders have already negotiated the legislative package. 

As part of American Samoa’s $29 million in the bill, $3 million is once again designated to American Samoa Community College, specifically at Amata’s request. She successfully added that designation for the last several years. 

Historically, American Samoa’s DOI operations fund was flat for years, with six straight increases starting in fiscal year 2018 at Amata’s request. Upon final passage of this year’s additional boost, that addition to the annual fund since 2018 will be $6.3 million. 

“I’m particularly happy to see this win for American Samoa pass the House this year, as this success came against the prevailing winds while there is a strong focus on spending discipline in Washington, D.C.,” said Congresswoman Aumua Amata. “I’d like to especially thank my friend, Appropriations Chairman Tom Cole for his direct support on this effort, and all the Committee leadership in both parties for accepting our funding at every step of this bill. It’s important for the United States to continue to recognize and invest in American Samoa and our region in the face of China’s competing strategic investment nearby.”

Appropriations in 2025 for American Samoa’s operations DOI account were $28.1 million. Those prior increases were $250,000, $718,000, $400,000, $500,000, $2.5 million, and $1 million, all accumulated each year since and preserved in this legislation along with the new $900,000. 

This major bill also supports all federal services and local grants for 2026 from several U.S. departments of government: The Department of the Interior, including Insular Affairs, wildfire support, and energy development; the Department of Justice; the Department of Commerce, including the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); the Department of Energy, including various national defense aspects; along with other congressional support for efforts in science and research, water development, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and more.

Upon final passage in the Senate, this legislation would complete half of the year’s 12 appropriations bills, since the appropriations for Veterans Affairs, military construction, the Department of Agriculture, along with its nutrition programs, and legislative branch funding were signed into law in November. 

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

Ahead of a government funding deadline of January 30, the U.S. House of Representatives acted to pass several appropriations bills. One appropriations bill that the House passed is the Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2026. The commerce, justice and science appropriations bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for consideration. 

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) secured federal funding in the commerce, justice, and science appropriations bill for the following Ninth District project: 

Project Name: Craig County Emergency Communications Project

Recipient Name: County of Craig, Virginia

Amount Received: $1,400,000

Following passage of the commerce, justice and science appropriations bill and the inclusion of federal funding for this Ninth District project, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: 

“I am proud to help secure in this appropriations bill $1.4 million for Craig County. These important funds will help Craig County upgrade emergency communications systems.

“I am hopeful that the Senate passes this commerce, justice and science appropriations bill so Craig County is one step closer to receiving these funds to complete this important public safety project.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith recently helped Craig County make progress in gaining access to an emergency radio tower site.

The above community project funding request was submitted by Rep. Griffith for fiscal year 2026. 

Other appropriations bills considered this week are the Energy and Water appropriations bill and commerce, justice and science appropriations bill. 

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