MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Ken Calvert (CA-42)

Today, Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman Ken Calvert (CA-41) issued the following statement on the release of President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 budget request:

“President Trump’s landmark budget request makes the continued rebuilding of America’s military a top priority. As Chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I applaud the President’s leadership and steadfast commitment to our national security. The budget request includes several priorities that echo initiatives the Defense Subcommittee has advanced under my leadership, including historic pay raises for our junior enlisted servicemembers as well as all troops, investing in the production of munitions at scale, increased shipbuilding, and the domestic sourcing of critical minerals. As we have seen in Ukraine and throughout the Middle East, modern warfare is changing rapidly. It is essential to America’s national security that Congress provides the right resources, in terms of both quality and quantity, to confront the threats we face today and tomorrow. I look forward to our upcoming budget hearings with Department of War leaders and working with my colleagues to craft a Fiscal Year 2027 defense appropriations bill.”

 

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

DORAL, FL – Congressman Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Dean of the Florida Delegation, invites members of the media to attend a check presentation ceremony on Monday, April 6th at 10:00 a.m.

The event will highlight the more than $5.25 million in federal funding secured by Congressman Díaz-Balart for the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office (MDSO) to strengthen public safety capabilities ahead of major international events, including the G-20 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

WHAT: Check Presentation Ceremony

WHO:

• Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart (FL-26), Vice Chair of the House Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee on House Appropriations
• Miami-Dade Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz
• Local Officials

WHEN:

Monday, April 6th at 10:00 a.m.

WHERE:

Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office

9105 NW 25^th St

Doral, FL 33172
RSVP:

All interested credentialed media may RSVP to Andrea.Morales@mail.house.gov

Background:

The funding supports two key initiatives: the Global Public Safety and Equipment Expansion Project and the Mobile Operations Command Center Project, which will enhance law enforcement visibility, increase officer presence and improve rapid response to threats. This will ensure MDSO is equipped to monitor, investigate, and respond to criminal and terrorist activity during high-profile, globally attend events.

The $4,200,000 funding for the MDSO Global Public Safety and Equipment project will be used to purchase a Unified Command Center, Command Bus, Mobile Field Force Gear, Total Containment Vessel with Hauling Vehicle, Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs), Patrol Bicycles with Vehicle Trailers, Cybersecurity equipment and computer CPUs.

The $1,050,000 funding for the MDSO Mobile Operation Command Center project will be used to purchase two District Mobile Operations Centers (MOCs) for MDSO. MOCs serve as a mobile command post for critical incidents, natural disasters, and major events. The MOCs would have technology to serve as a mobile workstation for active scenes and aid units to conduct investigations.

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

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

President Trump’s Budget Continues to Put America First

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request outline, which was delivered to Congress over two months late: 

“Since taking office, President Trump and Congressional Republicans have created a cost-of-living crisis for the American people. President Trump’s illegal tariffs have raised prices for consumers. Their Big Ugly billionaire tax cut and spending law has taken away health care and food assistance away from millions of Americans to give permanent tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. Fuel prices are skyrocketing as a result of his dangerous and unlawful war in Iran. It is not a surprise that President Trump’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget utterly fails to address the needs of the public he serves. 

“The President’s request for $1.15 trillion in defense spending is outrageous and unacceptable, especially when President Trump and Congressional Republicans intend to make further cuts to critical services that Americans rely on at home. Our nation cannot be secure without investments in our country’s critical health care, education, nutrition, and infrastructure.

“As the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, I will always work to provide our service members with the resources they need to perform their missions and come home safe. But I refuse to provide a blank check to the Pentagon. 

“The Pentagon does not have a funding problem. It has a problem with efficiently spending the funding that Congress has provided them – and accounting for it. That includes the recent $150 billion in defense spending included in Republicans’ Big Ugly Law, the vast majority of which has not been spent by the administration. The White House will reportedly ask Republicans for another $350 billion in defense spending through a second reconciliation bill this year – all while the Pentagon has failed for years to pass an audit.

“President Trump ran on a promise to bring inflation under control and keep America out of wars overseas. Again and again, he has broken his word to the American people and is now asking them to pay for the costs of his disastrous mistakes. President Trump and Congressional Republicans are dangerously out of touch with Americans. We simply cannot afford their agenda.”

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Betty McCollum (DFL-Minn)

SAINT PAUL, Minn. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum, the Dean of the Minnesota Congressional delegation, issued the following statement upon reports that President Trump fired Attorney General Pam Bondi: 

“When Pam Bondi is remembered by history, it will be as President Trump’s blindly loyal coconspirator who was completely incompetent,” said Congresswoman McCollum. “Attorney General Bondi has willfully and actively violated the Constitution, federal law, and judicial orders. She not only fired the director of the Departmental Ethics Office, but also oversaw the mass resignation of thousands of attorneys dedicated to defending the Constitution and the American people. These brave public servants refused to obey her direction to weaponize the department against Trump’s political enemies. Bondi will always be remembered for her massive cover-up to protect Trump by hiding millions of documents linked to the Epstein files and her refusal to acknowledge the suffering of the victims.

“One thing we can be confident of: Whoever Trump chooses to replace her will unfortunately continue the cover-up of Trump’s corruption and the trampling of Americans’ rights.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (1st District of Washington)

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) joined small business leaders at Shopify’s new West Coast port in Bellevue to disuss tariffs and how AI is changing small business commerce.

Tariffs drive up operating costs, especially for smaller businesses that operate with thinner margins. Small business importers paid over $300,000 more on average in tariffs last year. These fees are often passed along to consumers, who paid $1,700 more for everyday products in the last 12 months due to tariffs. Washington state is particularly impacted by changes in trade policy, with four-in-ten jobs tied to international commerce.

AI is the biggest change in how people buy and sell since the internet began. The growing adoption of this tool presents both challenges and opportunities for small businesses. While larger corporations have implemented AI at a faster rate, small business adoption is accelerating: 58% use generative AI tools, more than doubling from 23% in 2023. Shopify has been at the forefront of AI-powered commerce, recently enabling its merchants to sell directly through AI platforms like ChatGPT and integrating new AI shopping features with Google.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our communities. As the global policy and technological landscape continues to rapidly shift, we need to ensure that entrepreneurs can keep up with their larger competitors. That’s why I’ve championed smart trade and technology policy in Congress to ensure that businesses of all sizes can drive global commerce and continue to innovate,” said DelBene. “I thank Shopify for hosting this insightful discussion and their work to support small businesses in our community and across the country.”

“AI is the biggest unlock for small businesses in a generation. For the first time, a merchant selling handmade goods out of their home in Washington has the same tools as a Fortune 500 retailer, and that levels the playing field in a way that wasn’t possible before. We appreciate Congresswoman DelBene’s commitment to the entrepreneurs building here, and look forward to continuing to work with her advocating on their behalf,” said Jeff Sadosky, Head of U.S. Government and Public Affairs, Shopify.

Small businesses participating in the discussion included glassybaby (Bellevue), Olson’s Tack Shop (Bellevue), sskein (Bellevue), Further Records (Kirkland), Loma Hair Care (Monroe), CrownBees (Woodinville), and indi chocolate (Seattle).

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

WASHINGTON — Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) today announced that the West Paris Post Office will reopen Saturday, April 4, after being closed since 2021. 

The reopening comes after years of delays and a lack of transparency from the United States Postal Service (USPS) about the future of the town’s post office. Since its abrupt closure, Golden has repeatedly pushed the USPS for a concrete reopening plan, and has introduced bipartisan legislation that would prevent similarly unannounced closures in rural communities. 

The new West Paris Post Office is located at 141 Bethel Road, which was previously home to the Ledgeview Living Center. After failing to renew its lease at 238 Main Street in May 2021, the USPS declined to offer any specific plans or deadlines for a reopening — a dilemma that some locals said “left a void in the community.”  

“Restoring faith in government starts with making it work at the local level, and I’m glad West Paris residents no longer have to travel to another community to access basic mail services,” Golden said. “While the USPS should have been more prompt and transparent throughout this process, this reopening is a happy ending to the saga — and welcome news for the many families who have reached out to me about equal access to the post office.”

“The American Postal Workers of Maine is more than excited to have the doors open again to the West Paris, Maine, Post Office. The Post Office is an integral part of all communities by providing rural mail delivery, getting medications to its residents, especially veterans, voting by mail, parcel services and money orders,” said Jennifer Garland, executive vice president of the American Postal Workers Union of Maine. “The APWU of Maine would like to thank Rep. Golden for keeping attention focused on and fighting with us to re-open this office for the West Paris community and the employees of this office.”

The agency’s handling of the West Paris Post Office was one motivation for Golden and a group of bipartisan colleagues to introduce the Protecting Postal Performance Act in March 2025. Among other reforms, it would require the USPS to hold a public hearing and provide six months advance notice before closing post offices in underserved communities. The bill is endorsed by the United Postmasters and Managers of America.

Golden has sought to increase accountability for USPS leadership throughout his time in Congress. Following his outreach to Postmaster General DeJoy in 2023, USPS reopened its Etna facility that had been closed for more than two years. In 2024, USPS also announced that it was postponing plans to consolidate the Eastern Maine Processing and Distribution Facility in Hampden after bipartisan efforts led by Golden and other members of Congress. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Marc Veasey (33rd District of Texas)

Headline: Congressman Veasey Renews Calls to Remove Controversial Statue on Texas Rangers Home Opener at Globe Life Field

Calls for continued community dialogue and pushes for the removal of the “One Riot,
One Ranger” statue

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

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10) announced that the Northern California UFCW Plan, which is based in Concord, California, a city he represents, will receive $2.6 billion in pension relief funding made possible by the Democrat-passed American Rescue Plan that the Congressman was proud to vote for in 2021. This funding will enable the plan to continue to pay retirement benefits for its 138,516 participants in the service industry without reduction for many years into the future.

“In the midst of the COVID epidemic, Democrats fought tooth and nail to protect the lives and livelihoods of working Americans and their families, ultimately passing the American Rescue Plan to prevent cuts to the hard-earned benefits of retirees and workers. This funding, that will benefit hundreds of thousands of workers and retirees, including those here in our district, is a direct result of those efforts and I am proud to have helped bring this money home,” said Congressman DeSaulnier.

The application for this funding was submitted to the Special Financial Assistance (SFA) Program by the UFCW – Northern California Employers Joint Pension Plan (Northern California UFCW) and approved by the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC). The SFA Program provides funding to severely underfunded multiemployer pension plans and will ensure that millions of America’s workers, retirees, and their families receive the pension benefits they earned. 

Congressman DeSaulnier is a senior member of the House Committee on Education and Workforce where he is the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Nydia M Velázquez (D-NY)

BROOKLYN, NY — Today, Rep. Nydia M. Velazquez (D-NY) presented two Community Project Funding checks totaling $1,100,000 for projects serving the East New York and City Line communities, delivering federal investments in immigrant workforce development and public infrastructure.
 
At the first event, Velazquez presented a $250,000 check to Bangladeshi American Community Development and Youth Services (BACDYS) to support workforce development, adult literacy classes, skills training, career development, after-school tutoring, and intervention services for justice-involved residents across Brooklyn and Queens. This is the second time Velazquez has secured Community Project Funding for the organization.
 
Founded to support first-generation Bangladeshi newcomers, BACDYS now serves the broader East New York community including individuals from Southeast Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America. The organization provides wraparound services to low-income residents, including housing and food assistance, adult education, youth programs, immigration services, small business support, and public benefits enrollment.
 
“I have witnessed firsthand the essential role that BACDYS plays in improving the lives of our immigrant friends and neighbors,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “Now more than ever, it is imperative that we rally behind immigrant service providers like BACDYS. In the face of unprecedented challenges, these organizations serve as beacons of hope, resilience, and empowerment for our immigrant communities.”
 
“BACDYS was founded to serve our immigrant community, and this funding allows us to continue that mission. From adult literacy to workforce development to services for justice-involved residents, these programs change lives. We thank Congresswoman Velazquez for her continued investment in our work and for standing with immigrant communities when it matters most.” – Herb Reigner, Executive Director, BACDYS
 
At the second event, Velazquez presented an $850,000 check to the New York City Department of Transportation for the permanent construction of Liberty Avenue Plaza at the intersection of Liberty Avenue, 101st Avenue, and Drew Street. The project will transform underused roadway into a vibrant public gathering space and reconfigure traffic circulation to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
 
“This federal investment is about more than infrastructure. It is about bringing resources directly back to the community, improving daily life for residents, the business corridor, and families,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “Throughout my career, I have been a strong advocate for public plazas and community-centered spaces. This is what federal investment should look like: targeted, community-driven, and impactful.”
  
“I commend Congresswoman Velázquez for her longstanding dedication and continued fight for the communities in Council District 37,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “The $1.1 million she secured guarantees that BACDYS will continue critical community development work and advance a new vision for Liberty Avenue Plaza. I’m grateful for her commitment to the long-term health and sustainability of City Line as part of her legacy.”
 
“When we invest in world-class plazas and public spaces, we’re investing in gathering places where neighbors connect and as a result, communities prosper,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Thank you Congresswoman Velazquez.  With this support, the upgrade of Liberty Avenue Plaza will enhance street safety and bring an enriching, dynamic public space to City Line and East New York.” 
 
“Liberty Avenue Plaza is the heart of our community. This federal investment will give families and local businesses a real gathering space they can be proud of. We are grateful to Congresswoman Velazquez for fighting for this funding and for showing up for the people of City Line and Ozone Park.” – Khairul Islam Kukon, Board Member, City Line Ozone Park Business Association
 
The two projects are among 13 Community Project Funding initiatives that Velazquez secured in the FY2026 spending package, totaling over $15.5 million for New York’s 7th District.
 
For pictures from the events, click here.