MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) today announced that the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) will receive two grants totaling $996,893 from the National Institutes of Health (NIH). 

One, for $747,893 is for research on Angiotensins, Prostaglandins and Adrenergic Interactions and comes from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. The research is under the direction of Dr. Kafait Malik of the Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology, who has been at the university for more than 50 years. These studies will help us better understand the underlying sex differences in hormonal metabolism which will aid in the development of new medications to treat hypertension and certain types of neuroinflammation, vascular dysfunction, and kidney damage in both men and woman.

The second, for $249,000, is for extended amygdala somatostatin’s role in post-traumatic stress and alcohol use disorder and comes from the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. PTSD and alcohol use disorder are often comorbid diseases, and their interactions can drive greater risks in alcohol drinking and relapse. The research is under the direction of Dr. Bryan Cruz, also of the Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science and Toxicology. Dr. Cruz is working to identify the molecular mechanisms underlying PTSD and alcohol use disorder in specific regions of the brain associated with stress, anxiety, and fear behaviors. 

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Understanding the chemistry involved in heart disease and alcoholism is critical in developing the kinds of therapies used to treat them. I commend Drs. Malik and Cruz on their dedication to this important work, and to the university for its support of these projects.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez introduced legislation to prohibit the signature of President Donald Trump from appearing on United States currency or securities.

The bill comes after the Trump Administration announced plans to place Donald Trump’s signature on U.S. currency for the first time in American history, ending a tradition that has existed for more than 165 years.

“I introduced this bill because no sitting President should be allowed to use the nation’s currency to personally promote themselves,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “Trump wants to slap his name on buildings, airports, and now the dollar bill, but U.S. currency belongs to the American people, not the President. This is the kind of thing you see from dictators and wannabe strongmen who think the country belongs to them, and I will not just go along with another one of Trump’s vanity projects.”

Under current law, U.S. paper currency includes the signatures of the Treasury Secretary and Treasurer of the United States. Trump’s proposal would remove the Treasurer’s signature and replace it with his own.

The legislation would amend title 31 of the United States Code to prohibit the issuance of United States currency or securities containing the signature of an individual during any period in which that individual is serving as President.

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

Washington D.C. – In the wake of the antisemitic attack on Temple Israel in West Bloomfield, Michigan, Congresswoman Haley Stevens is speaking out, standing with the Jewish community, and pushing for action.

In The Detroit News, Stevens highlighted how Oakland County rallied together in the immediate aftermath, crediting first responders and community members whose swift action saved lives, while calling for unity in the face of hate.

On the House floor, she forcefully condemned the attack and warned that antisemitism is rising at alarming levels. She urged Congress to move beyond words and take real action to protect houses of worship and invest in Holocaust education.

Following the FBI briefing, Stevens pointed to extremist ideology behind the attack and stressed the need for an urgent and serious investigation as well as stronger security and coordination to keep communities safe.

Across each moment, her message has been consistent: Jewish Americans should never have to fear practicing their faith, and leaders must do more to confront antisemitism.

As West Bloomfield’s Congresswoman, Stevens is continuing to push for action, accountability, and protection for communities under threat so no American has to fear being attacked while practicing their faith.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Pressley Announced Bill in Boston Today, Legislation Comes During National Fair Housing Month

Bill Text | Roundtable Video | Roundtable Photos

BOSTON – Today, to kick off National Fair Housing Month, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07), along with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), Founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Renters Caucus, introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, much needed legislation to provide support to those facing eviction. The legislation prohibits credit reporting of evictions, rent, and utility debt, funds legal representation for those at risk of eviction, cracks down on illegal evictions, and more.

Congresswoman Pressley announced the legislation today during a visit to 2Life Communities in Allston-Brighton, where she held a roundtable with renters, advocates, and community members. Photos from the roundtable are available here and footage from the press conference is available here.  

“As someone who knows the trauma of coming home to an eviction notice on your door, I’m proud to put forward legislation to support our families during this time of crisis and keep them safely housed,” said Congresswoman Pressley. “I’m grateful to Ranking Member DeLauro and Congressman Gomez for their partnership on this critical legislation, and to our advocates and families who shared their stories today. Together, we’ll keep pushing to affirm housing as the human right that it is.”

“As a child, I will never forget coming home and seeing my family’s belongings on the streets – we had been evicted,” said Congresswoman DeLauro. “Evictions do not happen in a vacuum. This trauma can ripple across one’s life – leading to job loss, poorer educational outcomes, poorer health, and lack of access to housing in the future. The HELP Act would give legal counsel to those facing eviction, create a database to track evictions, and prohibit credit reporting of evictions and rent and utility debt so that those who fall behind do not have future housing opportunities stripped from them. Poverty can become a vicious cycle with one hardship following or even causing another. In the current cost of living crisis, we need to give Americans the tools to get back on their feet if they fall down. This bill does that.”

“I founded the Congressional Renters Caucus because too many families are being crushed by rising rents, unfair evictions, and a housing market that is leaving working people behind,” said Rep. Jimmy Gomez. “An eviction filing can follow someone for years, even when the case is dismissed, making it harder to recover and move forward. The HELP Act gives renters the protections they deserve and helps keep more families in their homes.”

The Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act provides critical support to those facing evictions. Specifically, the legislation would:

• Prohibit credit reporting of evictions and utility debt;
• Require covered landlords to inform their tenants of their rights and responsibilities and to disclose reasons for an eviction in writing to crack down on illegal evictions;
• Establish a national hotline at HUD to direct renters to the eviction prevention resources they need in their state; 
• Authorize funding for legal counsel for those facing or at risk of eviction; and
• Direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a database of eviction information gathered from all State and local entities that receive covered housing assistance.

To read the bill text of the HELP Act, click here. 

Joining Rep. Pressley in Allston-Brighton today were: Amy Schectman, CEO, 2Life Communities; Emily Levine, 2Life Communities; Anne Rousseau, Metro Housing; Gretchen Van Ness, LGBTQ; Senior Housing, Inc; David Gleich, Boston Housing Authority; Danielle Johnson, Esq, Mayor’s Office of Housing Stability; Kate Chang, Pine Street Inn; Lyndia Downie, Pine Street Inn; Michael Shelton, 2Life Communities resident; Sarah Byrnes, Mass Union of Public Housing Tenants; Libby Hayes, MassHousing; Carolyn Villers, Mass Senior Action Coalition; and renters and families. 

“Across Massachusetts, older adults living on fixed incomes are increasingly at risk of housing instability as costs rise and incomes fail to keep pace. Today, more than four in every ten seniors are rent-burdened, and the majority of households eligible for housing assistance are older adults who are not receiving it,” said Amy Schectman, Saul and Gitta Kurlat Chief Executive Officer of 2Life Communities. “The Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act is a critical step toward preventing eviction before it happens by expanding access to legal assistance, strengthening the data needed to drive smarter policy, and ensuring that a temporary crisis does not become a permanent loss of housing. Stable, affordable housing is essential to healthy aging and strong communities. This legislation reflects the kind of proactive, equity-driven solutions we need, and we are deeply grateful to Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley for her leadership and unwavering commitment to protecting vulnerable renters across Massachusetts and across the country.”

The Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act is endorsed by: National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC), PolicyLink, Boston Tenant Coalition, Coalition for Economic Survival, National Housing Law Project (NHLP), National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB), NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice, National Women’s Law Center, Community Action Agency of Somerville, Inc. (CAAS), National Coalition for the Homeless. 

“As a Community Action Agency located in a city where 67% of the population rents, we daily see examples of the violence that eviction wreaks on low- and moderate-income households. The provisions of this Act would help to curb some of the most common abusive practices that we see in our city. In the years since this Act was first introduced we have only seen the situation worsen, with many families forced out of our community. This legislation is long overdue, and I sincerely hope that it will be enacted during this session,” said David Gibbs, CAAS

“The Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act would dramatically improve access to the rental housing market for poor Americans, especially Black and Latino households. The bill provides significant funding for eviction defense and would prohibit reporting evictions or rent-related debt. An eviction report is a stain that follows low-income renters for years after they experience hardship, and the HELP Act would help millions of American families out of the cycle of housing instability. NHLP applauds Representative Pressley as she puts forward real solutions to our evictions crisis,” said Shamus Roller, Executive Director, NHLP

In February 2026, the House passed two bills championed by Congresswoman Pressley that would strengthen eviction protections and help families receiving federal housing assistance achieve financial independence. The Eviction Helpline Act and Helping More Families Save Act passed the House as part of the bipartisan Housing for the 21^st Century Act.

In January 2026, Rep. Pressley, alongside Congresswomen Yassamin Ansari (AZ-03) and Ilhan Omar (MN-05) held the Congressional Progressive Caucus’ (CPC) Lowering Costs Taskforce’s first shadow hearing, titled “Building the New American Dream: Lowering Housing Costs for All.” The shadow hearing brought together housing experts and CPC Members to advance solutions to lower costs by building more affordable, public, and market-rate housing; cracking down on corporate and landlord greed; and expanding federal assistance for low-income families.

As a Member of the Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance of the House Financial Services Committee (FSC), Rep. Pressley has consistently advocated for policies that affirm housing as a human right and center the dignity and humanity of all people.

• In March 2026, Rep. Pressley joined Financial Services Committee Democrats in a comment lettercondemning HUD’s proposed mixed-status families rule, which would increase evictions, separate families, and increase homelessness across the country. 
• In December 2025, Rep. Pressley convened local advocates and community partners to sound the alarm on the housing crisis created by Donald Trump.
• In December 2025, Rep. Pressley underscored the need to support grandfamily and kinship households, which are vital to preventing homelessness and keeping families and communities whole.

• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Ranking Member Maxine Waters (CA-35) and 52 colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Scott Turner, calling on him to rescind a recent HUD decision to slash essential Continuum of Care (CoC) program funding. 
• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley introduced the Appraisal Modernization Act, legislation to promote equity and combat systemic bias in the home appraisal process that has disadvantaged many current and aspiring homeowners—especially homeowners of color.
• In May 2025, Rep, Pressley, along with Representatives Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Jimmy Gomez (CA-34), and Greg Casar (TX-35), reintroduced the Tenants’ Right to Organize Act, legislation to protect the power of tenants, including those with federal vouchers, to organize.
• In June 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-43) and Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), re-introduced the Tenant Empowerment Act, bold legislation to strengthen HUD tenant protections and provide renters with the tools necessary to improve the quality of their homes.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Mayor Wu, visited Roxbury to celebrate the $1,000,000 in federal funding she secured to provide emergency childcare support for families experiencing homelessness in the City of Boston.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley, along with Senators Warren and Markey, applauded the final passage of $850,000 in federal community project funding for The Pryde, an affordable housing development for LGBTQ+ seniors in Hyde Park.
• In March 2024, Rep. Pressley urged Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell to cut interest rates to boost home affordability and construction of affordable housing.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley, during a House Financial Services Committee Hearing, highlighted the growing housing crisis and how appraisal bias and discriminatory tenant screening practices exacerbate the racial wealth and homeownership gaps, especially for Black communities.
• In January 2024, Rep. Pressley celebrated the $2.4 million in federal funding she secured to support the community-led transformation of the Clarendon Hill housing community, an ethnically, linguistically and economically diverse neighborhood in Somerville.
• In December 2023, Rep. Pressley requested the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide data on housing needs for Medicaid beneficiaries and feedback on challenges the agency is having in covering housing support for people requiring home and community-based services (HCBS).
• In July 2023, Rep. Pressley, along with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03) and Congresswoman Cori Bush (MO-01), reintroduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act, critical legislation to provide much-needed assistance to those facing eviction amid the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 
• In September 2021, Rep. Pressley joined Rep. Bush and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) in introducing the Keeping Renters Safe Act of 2021 to enact an urgently needed nationwide eviction moratorium. 
• On July 2021, ahead of the expiration of the previous CDC eviction moratorium, Reps. Pressley, Bush, Gomez and their progressive colleagues sent a letter renewing their calls for President Biden and CDC Director Rochelle Walensky to extend the federal eviction moratorium and prevent the historic and deadly wave of evictions that would occur if the government failed to do so. 
• On July 30, 2021, Rep. Pressley joined House Financial Services Committee Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) in introducing the Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021, legislation to extend the eviction moratorium through the end of the year. 
• In June 2021, Rep. Pressley, along with Reps. Gomez and Bush, led over 40 of their colleagues on a letter urging President Biden and CDC Director Walensky to extend and strengthen the moratorium for the duration of the public health crisis. 
• In June 2021, Congresswoman Pressley, along with Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN), re-introduced the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.
• On May 18, 2021, Reps. Bush and Pressley sent a letter to the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), calling on the CDC to strengthen and extend the federal moratorium on evictions, ensuring families can remain safely in their homes for the duration of the COVID-19 global health emergency.
• On July 28, 2020, Rep. Pressley, Rep. DeLauro and Sen. Harris introduced the Housing Emergencies Lifeline Program (HELP) Act to provide much-needed, layered assistance to those facing eviction amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On July 24, 2020, in a Financial Services Committee hearing, Rep. Pressley discussed the unprecedented financial cliff facing millions of renters and homeowners, the economic consequences of millions losing their homes, including the ability to return to work, and why funding for legal representation is so critical.
• On May 11, 2020, Reps. Tlaib, and Joe Neguse (D-CO) urge House and Senate leadership to include $11.5 billion in funding for Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) in the next relief package to aid the nation’s homeless population who are experiencing heightened vulnerability during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• On April 10, 2020, Rep. Pressley urged Congressional leadership to prioritize recurring monthly cash payments to those most at-risk during the COVID-19 crisis. This funding would allow people to cover all their bills, including rent.
• On April 17, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and colleagues introduce the Rent and Mortgage Cancellation Act, a bill to institute a nationwide cancellation of rents and home mortgage payments through the duration of the coronavirus pandemic.

• On March 23, 2020, Reps. Pressley and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced the Public Health Emergency Shelter Act of 2020, legislation to provide critical funding to states and local governments responding to the needs of families and individuals experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 crisis. This legislation was included and passed through the HEROES Act and H.R. 7301, the Emergency Housing Protections and Relief Act of 2020.
• On March 19, 2020, Rep. Pressley, along with progressive lawmakers and organizations, introduced the Housing is a Human Right Act to authorize more than $200 billion in federal spending over 10 years for crucial housing infrastructure and reduce homelessness.
• On March 18, 2020, Reps. Pressley, Katie Porter (D-CA) and Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) wrote to HUD calling for a moratorium on evicting renters during the coronavirus pandemic.
• In July 2019, Rep. Pressley announced legislation that would prohibit the use of biometric recognition technology in most public and assisted housing units funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), protecting tenants from biased surveillance technology. 
• In November 2019, Rep. Pressley and Rep. Tlaib wrote to HUD blasting the agency for ignoring low-income tenants seeking to save their homes.

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congresswoman Betty McCollum (D, MN-04), the Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense, issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to President Trump’s address to the nation:

“President Trump’s war in Iran is a strategic and diplomatic failure. His actions have made the Middle East more unstable. Thousands of civilians throughout the region are dying. And yet, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu show no signs of stopping. 

“President Trump’s decision to take our nation to war with Iran was his choice, and his choice alone. He failed to consult Congress or our allies. Now, he’s asking Americans for an additional $200 billion to finance this conflict without explaining why this astounding amount of taxpayer funding is necessary. 

“Tonight, the president resorted to repeating falsehoods and his shifting rationale for his war of choice. His bizarre declaration that the Strait of Hormuz will open ‘naturally’ indicates that he has no plan to achieve a diplomatic agreement that ends his war, re-opens this vital waterway, and secures peace for the region.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, NASA’s Space Launch System and the Orion crew capsule carrying NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen successfully launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center to embark on its ten day journey. The Artemis II mission will take the astronauts to low Earth orbit to test out key systems before journeying toward and around moon for the first time in over 50 years.  

“Congratulations to NASA and its partners on this magnificent feat,” said Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA). “I am thrilled that NASA and its industry and international partners turned the corner in returning our heroic astronauts to deep space exploration. This launch would not have been possible without the thousands of employees supporting the Artemis II mission who have been working tirelessly to make this mission a success. I thank them for their dedication. This mission and the ones that will follow will continue to inspire people of all generations around the globe and prove once again that the U.S. is capable of extraordinary feats of engineering and science. Major strides in human exploration are not without risk. I look forward to following along as NASA and the Artemis team continue to support our brave astronauts during the mission and their safe return to Earth.”

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

Dr. King was in Memphis supporting striking sanitation workers

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

MEMPHIS – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9), a senior member of the Judiciary Committee, today condemned President Trump’s executive order on Tuesday that seeks to interfere with state election laws and procedures involving the eligibility of voters in federal elections.

The order purports to direct the Department of Homeland Security to create a “state citizenship list” based on data from citizenship and naturalization records, Social Security records and other federal databases.

The order directs federal officials to send the list to state election officials, and orders the attorney general to prioritize prosecution of election officials who provide federal ballots to ineligible voters (i.e., those not on the new approved lists). It also directs the U.S. Postal Service not to transmit mail-in or absentee ballots to any individual not included on the “state citizenship list.”

Congressman Cohen made the following statement:

“Last night, Donald Trump issued an unconstitutional and anti-democratic executive order that tries to disenfranchise voters by substituting the postal service for election officials in deciding who can vote.  This is Trump’s attempt to ‘nationalize’ the election with voter lists his administration approves. Let me be clear: No President, not even Donald Trump, has the uniliteral power to change state election rules. This is a blatant power grab. It is imperative that we hold Trump and this Administration accountable and reject these brazen attempts to undermine our democracy.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries appeared on MS NOW’s The Beat, where he emphasized that Democrats remain opposed to Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice and the continued corruption being unleashed on the American people by his administration and sycophantic Republicans in Congress.

MELISSA MURRAY: Now we are going to turn to a special guest here on The Beat for a big night in politics. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democrat from New York, is joining us right now. Leader Jeffries, how are you?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Good, great to be with you.

MELISSA MURRAY: Great to have you. Lots of questions going on here. The President is going to make his big address tonight to the nation, an update on the Iran war. What are you hoping to hear from the President about this incredibly unpopular war?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Donald Trump and Republicans have gotten us into a reckless war of choice with no plan, no objectives and no clear exit strategy. The war clearly has not made us safer, but it has made life more expensive in this country and it needs to end. Now, the American people, as you’ve pointed out, Melissa, have expressed themselves from the very beginning of this conflict because our view, in totality, is that billions of dollars are being wasted right now to drop bombs in the Middle East. But these same group of extremists, Donald Trump and Republicans in the House and the Senate, won’t even spend a dime to make life more affordable for the American people. In fact, we know what the war is doing—it’s increasing costs, gas prices are skyrocketing through the roof and it’s hurting everyday Americans all across the country.

MELISSA MURRAY: So tonight, are you hoping to hear a plan for withdrawing from Iran and, if so, what will that mean for the control of the Strait of Hormuz, which still remains in the hands of Iran?

LEADER JEFFRIES: That’s a challenge that Donald Trump, of course, has created, had no clear strategy or preparation done to deal with this eventuality, and that’s part of the problem of how this President and Republicans have conducted themselves from the very beginning, sort of just unleashing chaos and extremism on the American people and on the world. Now, it will be interesting to see if the President has articulated a plan to bring our allies together in order to get the situation in terms of the Strait of Hormuz under control. But he’s not going to be able to accomplish that objective by criticizing and bullying and name-calling our NATO allies, which is what this guy has done from the very beginning of his presidency, and it’s completely and totally ineffective.

MELISSA MURRAY: So one of the criticisms of this war is that the President has never really consulted with Congress as is required under the Constitution. Last month, a War Powers Resolution that sought to restrain the President was issued, but failed in the House, it was not passed. As this unpopular war continues, do you think the momentum on Capitol Hill is going to shift, and do you there will be more Members of the Republican Party who are willing to criticize this President and the way this war has been conducted in the absence of congressional approval?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Certainly it’s my hope, but I’m not holding my breath because House Republicans have, from the very beginning of this presidency, conducted themselves not as a separate and co-equal branch of government, but actually like a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Trump cartel. These people continue to bury their heads in the sand and just serve like a reckless rubber stamp for Donald Trump’s extreme agenda. The war is so deeply unpopular, it’s been so ineffective in accomplishing whatever objective Donald Trump has articulated from day to day. And, of course, it’s making life more expensive for the American people. It is my hope that upon our return, when we will have the ability to bring another War Powers Resolution to the Floor of the House, that a handful of House Republicans—we just need a few more to—join us and we can successfully enact a resolution that would require Donald Trump to end the war immediately.

MELISSA MURRAY: You mentioned one of the dynamics that has made this war so unpopular, it has had real constraints on affordability. Now, the White House is reportedly eyeing a $200 billion funding request for the war. The President has also reportedly suggested that additional cuts to healthcare may be necessary to fund the war. How is the Democratic Caucus going to respond to these measures? Will you be opposing this? Will you seek concessions on other issues? Are you planning to make this an issue as we go into the midterm cycle?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s my expectation that there will be strong opposition amongst House Democrats and Senate Democrats, as has already been expressed by many Members across the Capitol. And, by the way, there should be some Republicans who join us. The notion that Donald Trump entered this country into a reckless war of choice, is spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in Iran, but won’t spend a dime to actually extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits, to reverse the Medicaid cuts, to deal with the damage that has been done to the economy as a result of the Trump tariffs and then wants to come back to the taxpayers and ask us for as much as potentially $200 billion is out of control. And, you know, I think one of the reasons why Donald Trump is now talking about trying to do this through the budget reconciliation process is because he knows his only hope is to try to jam this down the throats of the American people in an extreme partisan way. But I think the American people, as they’ve done with the One Big Ugly Bill, will furiously react to any effort to continue to cut healthcare or cut nutritional assistance in order to actually fund Donald Trump’s reckless war of choice.

MELISSA MURRAY: Well, there was widespread public outrage about the bill that you just mentioned, but it did ultimately pass. Are there steps that you all are taking to oppose this potential funding measure if it comes to the Floor of the House? And what might it look like in the Senate?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it passed by a single vote, I believe, in both the House and in the Senate. And that was, of course, as a result of the fact that Republicans largely did what Donald Trump told them to do, notwithstanding the fact that many Republicans had previously committed not to cutting Medicaid or not to cutting nutritional assistance. What we’ll need to do is just get a handful of House Republicans to join us—we’ll just need one or two more—and I expect there will be complete Democratic opposition in the House and in the Senate, as was the case against the One Big Ugly Bill. And we just have to continue to forcefully lay things out for the American people. The American people want their taxpayer dollars spent to make their life more affordable, not actually to rip away healthcare, to unleash violent masked and untrained ICE agents to brutalize and in some cases kill the American citizens. And now, of course, dealing with this dynamic as it relates to funding a deeply unpopular war.

MELISSA MURRAY: Speaking of ICE, there is now a measure that has gone through to continue funding DHS, although there is an exemption for the provisions that would fund ICE and Customs and Border Patrol enforcement. What was the process like for that? Are you and your Caucus happy with this resolution to what has been a standoff with the administration?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, what we’ve made clear to Donald Trump and Republicans during this entire Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security is that we should fund TSA, fund FEMA, fund the Coast Guard, fund our cybersecurity professionals and make sure that there are actually dramatic, bold, meaningful changes to ICE so that ICE is brought back under control because we know they’re conducting themselves in a violent and extreme fashion. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. We need to get the Department of Homeland Security reopened, in terms of every other part of it that doesn’t relate to Donald Trump’s violent mass deportation machine. And that’s a positive outcome from the American people while we continue to fight the battles that need to be fought in terms of the type of reforms that need to be put into place before ICE gets another dime in taxpayer dollars.

MELISSA MURRAY: So Leader Jeffries, President Trump was at the Supreme Court this morning. What do you think that was about? Why did he choose to attend these oral arguments, the first time a President has ever done so? What was the play here?

LEADER JEFFRIES: Well, it’s very king-like behavior, it appears, in terms of Donald Trump showing up. I don’t know whether he was trying to intimidate the justices that he had previously appointed in some instances. But I think appropriately so—and you certainly are one of the top legal scholars in the country, but the Constitution, the 14th Amendment, the birthright citizenship clause, is very clear—and as I think it was, Justice Roberts pointed out, while the Trump administration for whatever reason is arguing that times have changed, of course, that is in fact the case, this was a Reconstruction amendment, but the Constitution remains the same, and that has not been changed. And so, hopefully, the Supreme Court justices are going to do the right thing in terms of ruling as has been the case in prior Supreme Court decisions or every other federal court that has considered this matter and Donald Trump’s last-ditch desperate effort to show up and try to intimidate the justices will go nowhere.

MELISSA MURRAY: Alright, Leader Jeffries, thanks so much for joining us to get us started tonight.

LEADER JEFFRIES: Thank you.

Full interview can be watched here.

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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 he advanced over $46.7 million for 20 projects to benefit Contra Costa and Alameda Counties for consideration by the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations as part of the Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations process. These projects would help to improve quality of life for the people of California’s 10^th Congressional District by upgrading infrastructure and transportation accessibility and increasing public and environmental safety. 

“Simply put, my number one priority in Congress is to make life better for the people I represent, and the $46.7 million we are advancing will help to do just that by investing in safety and easing congestion for drivers, bikers, and pedestrians alike, housing, emergency preparedness, crime prevention, and more,” said Congressman DeSaulnier. “I am continuously grateful to our local governments and organizations for their thoughtful project submissions, and I look forward to fighting to see the projects through the legislative process to bring this important funding home.”

“For over 135 years the Iron Horse Trail has connected communities in Contra Costa, with the railroad running from 1891-1978, followed by its use as the much-beloved pedestrian and bicycle trail we enjoy today. This $1.5 million investment in the Iron Horse Trail Double Tracking Pilot is about improving safety and enhancing its use as an active transportation corridor. Creating trail separation allows pedestrians to enjoy their walks on the trail without safety concerns related to faster moving bikes. Bicyclists will be able to use their separated bikeway to get to and from work, school, and transit centers more efficiently,” said Candace Andersen, Contra Costa County Supervisor (District II).

“We are deeply grateful to Mark DeSaulnier for selecting the Downtown Aqueduct Pathway Project for Community Project Funding consideration. The Congressman’s support is instrumental in helping Lafayette advance a transformative project that will create a safe, continuous, and car-free route between neighborhoods, downtown destinations, and regional transit,” said Carl Anduri, Mayor of Lafayette.

“We are deeply grateful to have the Congressman’s support of these projects, which reflect San Ramon’s commitment to modernizing critical infrastructure, enhancing public safety, and investing in technology that improves the daily lives of our residents,” said Mark Armstrong, Mayor of San Ramon. “We value the Congressman’s continued partnership and advocacy on behalf of the San Ramon community and appreciate the opportunity to advance to Committee review of these transformative investments that will strengthen mobility, resilience, and public safety citywide.”

“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for championing innovative solutions to one of the Bay Area’s most critical regulatory challenges: reducing nitrogen discharges to the Bay while keeping costs manageable for wastewater customers. The MABR and DAS Bay Area Regional Demonstration Site will advance technologies aimed at better protecting our beautiful Bay, while potentially saving billions of dollars across our region and beyond. We’re grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s vision, leadership, and commitment to clean water infrastructure that benefits our communities and the environment both now and, in the future,” said Roger Bailey, General Manager of the Central Contra Costa Sanitary District.

“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for his leadership and support in strengthening community safety and supporting survivors of violence. The Contra Costa Unsolved Violent Crime & Victim Safety Initiative expands the county’s ability to prioritize and investigate unsolved shootings and increase clearance rates – which is the percentage of crimes that result in an arrest or other official resolution. Moreover, the initiative pairs data-driven investigations with survivor-centered services to keep victims and witnesses safe, rebuild community trust, and make sure families affected by violence received the justice and attention they deserve,” said Diana Becton, Contra Costa County District Attorney.

“We appreciate Congressman DeSaulnier for championing investments that expand opportunities for young people in East County. The Brentwood Youth Center Project will create a new 15,000 square foot facility offering culinary training in healthcare, culinary arts and skilled trades, academic support, and mental health counseling spaces—providing local youth with safe, modern, and accessible resources right in their community. This project strengthens workforce development into career pathways, supports whole person development, and ensures Brentwood’s young residents have the tools they need to thrive,” said Tamia Brown, Executive Director, Contra Costa County Workforce Development Board.

“On behalf of Contra Costa County, I want to thank Congressman DeSaulnier for his steadfast support of Contra Costa County projects that will provide wide-benefits to the community—from transportation safety improvements on Vasco Road and the Byron Highway, to critical investments in youth development, public safety communications, and solutions that strengthen justice for victims and families. His continued partnership ensures we can deliver safer roads, stronger emergency response, expanded youth opportunities, and improved community safety for residents across all of Contra Costa and beyond. We are deeply grateful for his leadership and his commitment to bringing meaningful federal resources home to Contra Costa,” said Diane Burgis, Chair of the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors.

“We are grateful to Representative DeSaulnier and his team for their support of this critical wastewater infrastructure work,” said Lilia Corona, Mt. View Sanitary District General Manager. “The Next-Generation Pump Station and Collection System Projects will bolster the process of replacing equipment at the end of its service life. We’re excited by this major step forward for sanitary operations in Contra Costa County, which will allow Mt. View Sanitary District to continue delivering exceptional service quality to our customers.”

“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for supporting these important infrastructure and wildfire mitigation projects. The Camino Pablo Pathway will enhance pedestrian mobility and connect key parts of our community, while the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break will significantly reduce wildfire risk and strengthen emergency response capabilities across the broader Lamorinda region. These projects represent critical investments in Orinda’s safety, sustainability, and quality of life,” said Brandyn Iverson, Mayor of Orinda.

“We are grateful for the support of Congressman DeSaulnier in advancing the Lamorinda Public Safety Radio Replacement project for funding.  Through replacing and upgrading the radios used by the Lafayette, Moraga and Orinda Police Departments, this project will enhance public safety throughout the region and ensure that law enforcement officers are equipped to address emergency situations, evacuations, and other critical incidents. Congressman DeSaulnier’s efforts are helping to keep our communities and law enforcement officers safe with this critical investment in public safety communications equipment,” said Jon King, Chief of Police for the Moraga Police Department.

“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for supporting our community’s continued efforts to make Vasco Road safer for all who rely on it. The Vasco Road Safety Improvements – Phase 3 Project delivers targeted, community‑supported safety upgrades along the corridor, including proven Federal Highway Administration countermeasures designed to reduce collisions and improve visibility. These improvements will help protect commuters and enhance regional mobility along this critical East County route,” said Warren Lai, Director of Public Works, Contra Costa County.

Lai continued, “We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his continued leadership and support of vital East County transportation investments. The Vasco Road–Byron Highway Connector Project will reduce cut-through traffic in Byron, improve regional mobility between Contra Costa and San Joaquin counties, and enhance safety by providing a more efficient route for commuters and goods movement. This project represents an important step toward long term connectivity and economic opportunity for the region.”

“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for advancing Antioch’s Real-Time Operations Center project for federal consideration. This investment reflects the kind of forward-looking public safety infrastructure cities need to serve growing communities, improve coordination across government functions, and deliver smarter, more effective services to the public,” said Bessie Marie Scott, Antioch City Manager.

“Brentwood has a robust agricultural history, and a long-standing legacy of providing fresh produce and products from our locally-owned farms to tables across America. This funding investment represents the next chapter in this story and the future of farming. The Agricultural Technology Innovation Center will bring together agriculture, education, and technology to create jobs, support workforce development, and strengthen our nation’s food systems. Federal investment in critical infrastructure is the key to unlocking this opportunity, and we are grateful for Congressman DeSaulnier’s leadership and vision in advancing a project that delivers both regional and national impact,” said Susannah Meyer, Mayor of Brentwood.

“We are grateful to Congressman DeSaulnier for his strong support of Concord’s Emergency Operations Center upgrades. This investment strengthens our ability to protect residents, coordinate a regional response, and ensure our community is prepared when it matters most,” said Laura Nakamura, Mayor of Concord.

“Thank you to Congressman DeSaulnier for his commitment to strengthening public safety and emergency response across the East Bay. The East Bay Regional Communications System – Mobile Communications Sites on Wheels Project will provide deployable, towable mobile towers that ensure backup radio coverage during disasters, domestic terrorism, or large-scale incidents—significantly enhancing the resiliency, reliability, and interoperability of communications for first responders in Contra Costa and Alameda counties. This investment ensures that when emergencies strike, our communities and safety personnel can rely on a stable, redundant system that keeps critical communications operational when they’re needed most,” said David Swing, Executive Director of the East Bay Regional Communications Authority.

“The City of Walnut Creek greatly appreciates Congressman DeSaulnier’s leadership and continued support in advancing safety for our residents. This critical infrastructure project for a new traffic signal will improve the efficiency of regional traffic, emergency vehicle response times, and safety for all modes of transportation,” said Kevin Wilk, Mayor of Walnut Creek.

Infrastructure Upgrades, Transportation Accessibility, and Community Development Projects:

• $5,000,000 for the County of Contra Costa to design a new roadway connection that will improve regional mobility between Contra Costa and San Joaquin Counties using a connector route that shifts interregional traffic from Byron Highway and local roads in the Town of Byron to Vasco Road, to accommodate higher traffic volumes.
• $5,000,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct safety countermeasures along a 12.1-mile segment of Vasco Road between Marsh Creek Road and the Alameda County line in unincorporated Byron, California to decrease the number of accidents on this busy thoroughfare.
• $4,000,000 for the City of Brentwood to construct infrastructure and site improvements to prepare a site to house the Brentwood Agricultural Technology Innovation Center.
• $2,800,000 for the City of Lafayette to construct the Brown Avenue to Pleasant Hill Road segment of the Aqueduct Pathway, a fully accessible Class I separated bicycle and pedestrian facility located within the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) aqueduct corridor in downtown Lafayette, California.
• $2,000,000 for East Bay Regional Park District to construct a dedicated bus staging and drop-off area designed to accommodate regional transit agencies and other visitors, and remove aging rail infrastructure to replace it with accessible, multi-use pathways as part of the second phase of a project to allow for the Thurgood Marshall Regional Park to be opened up to the public.
• $2,000,000 for the City of Lafayette to construct a 48-unit development of supportive and affordable housing for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
• $2,000,000 for the City of San Ramon to continue buildout and close gaps in the citywide fiber optic network supporting transportation operations, public safety, and future smart city technologies.
• $1,750,000 to the City of Walnut Creek to install a new traffic signal at the intersection between Treat Boulevard and Arkell Road in Walnut Creek, California, which is currently controlled by stop signs.
• $1,500,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct separated wheeled (bicycle, e-bike, and scooter) and pedestrian pathways in the Iron Horse Corridor from Bollinger Canyon Road to Crow Canyon Road in the City of San Ramon to separate wheeled and pedestrian modes and improve user safety.
• $1,300,000 for the County of Contra Costa to construct a new youth center in Brentwood, California that will provide academic counseling and employment training in the culinary field.
• $1,296,000 for the City of Orinda to complete pavement rehabilitation work and widening on the Camino Pablo Pathway in Orinda, California to expand and maintain aging infrastructure that currently sees heavy pedestrian use.

Public and Environmental Health and Safety:

• $5,000,000 for the City of Concord to make improvements to the City of Concord’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to ensure that it can continue to function as a critical hub for regional preparedness, response, and recovery efforts during emergencies and disasters.
• $3,150,000 for Central Contra Costa Sanitary District to add Densified Activated Sludge (DAS) technology to Central San’s existing large-scale Membrane Aerated Biofilm Reactor (MABR) demonstration site and share results with wastewater agencies across the region. DAS and MABR are complementary, cutting-edge technologies that could enhance nitrogen removal and environmental protection while leveraging existing treatment facilities.
• $2,000,000 for the City of San Ramon to replace the Police Department’s aging Records Management System (RMS), associated software, and supporting equipment. The project will modernize the City’s public safety technology infrastructure by implementing a next-generation RMS, preserving and migrating existing police records, and integrating with electronic files. The project may also incorporate a unified interface that allows officers and investigators to securely access data from multiple regional law enforcement systems within a single platform, improving efficiency, and reducing the need to switch between separate applications.
• $1,800,000 for the County of Contra Costa to build two mobile communications sites to enhance the resiliency of first responder radio communications in the event of a natural disaster or other widespread threat.
• $1,684,990 for the City of Antioch to establish a Real-Time Operations Center (RTOC) to serve as the Antioch Police Department’s central hub for intelligence and information-sharing, integrating existing technologies—including gunshot detection, public safety cameras, and Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD)—into a unified, citywide system that enhances crime monitoring, investigative efficiency, and officer response.
• $1,650,000 for the County of Contra Costa to expand Contra Costa County’s ability to prioritize and investigate unsolved nonfatal and fatal violent crime, prevent future crimes, and enhance victim/witness safety through coordinated, data driven investigations, focused prosecution, and survivor support services.
• $1,000,000 for the City of Orinda to maintain and improve the North Orinda Shaded Fuel Break to reduce the probability of catastrophic fire spread while improving firefighter access and operational effectiveness, specifically by maintaining previously treated areas, conducting hazard tree identification and abatement, and expanding interagency coordination.
• $936,930 for the Town of Moraga to replace and upgrade existing police radios, a combined total of 65 handheld portable radios and 44 vehicle mounted mobile radios, used by the Lafayette, Moraga, and Orinda police departments.
• $923,000 for Mt. View Sanitary District to initiate pump station and collection systems upgrades by studying the root causes of system stress and the most efficient and effective repair methods.

Selection and submission of projects to the Appropriations Committee is the first stage of the process for Community Project Funding. Each project submitted must meet the criteria set forth by the Committee, which can be found here, and must then be passed in the Committee and by both the House and Senate before it becomes law. The projects are subject to a strict transparency and accountability process, which is detailed here by the Appropriations Committee. Examples of this vetting include certifying that Members have no financial interest in these projects, an audit of a sampling of these projects by the Government Accountability Office, and a requirement for demonstrated community support and engagement for each submission. More information on each project and the certifications of no financial interest can be found here.