MIL USHOR-2b Engine

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

Today, U.S. Representative Rick Larsen (WA-02) released the following statement:

“What the hell, Mr. President? Cut the BS. End the tariffs. Renegotiate USMCA. Lower prices.” 

Today, the Trump administration announced new 50% tariffs on certain Canadian goods starting next month. The 50% tariffs would include goods that had previously been protected from import taxes by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). 

This month, Rep. Larsen sent a report to U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer urging the continuation of USMCA. The report summarizes over a hundred meetings and conversations that Rep. Larsen’s office has had with farmers, businesses, municipalities, ports and other stakeholders across Northwest Washington over the past year. 

Rep. Larsen is a leader in opposing the Trump administration’s tariffs and a member of the New Democrat Coalition Trade and Tariffs Task Force. Today, the Task Force sent a letter to Ambassador Greer calling on him to renew and strengthen USMCA. 

Rep. Larsen is also the top Democrat on the U.S.-Canada Interparliamentary Group, an organization that connects American and Canadian legislators to promote information sharing and better understanding on shared issues of concern. Born and raised in Arlington, Washington, Rep. Larsen has a deep personal history with British Columbia and the U.S.-Canada relationship. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-09) applauded House passage of the bipartisan DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act, legislation he introduced to strengthen Down syndrome research and improve health outcomes for people living with the condition.

 “People with Down syndrome enrich our families and communities in so many ways,” said Rep. Hudson. “I’m proud the House passed my bill to support research that can help them live longer, healthier lives and reach their full potential without barriers standing in their way.”

 The legislation formally authorizes the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) INCLUDE Project, which supports research into Down syndrome and health conditions that often occur alongside it. It also requires NIH to coordinate its Down syndrome research, avoid duplicating existing work, consult with patient advocates, and report to Congress on its research and how it can improve medical care.

 Hudson was joined by U.S. Representative Diana DeGette (D-CO) in introducing the legislation.

 A previous version of the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act passed the House unanimously during the 118th Congress.

In May of 2024, Hudson was one of two honorees who receivedthe Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Quincy Jones Exceptional Advocacy Award for their work in Congress to support those with Down syndrome.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-23)

“I know firsthand that early detection is our most powerful tool to beat cancer. It can be the difference between life and death, especially in combatting breast cancer, especially for those with inherited mutations,” said Wasserman Schultz, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and the BRCA2 gene mutation at age 41 and after 15 months of surgery, has been cancer free for 18 years. “Reauthorizing the EARLY Act saves women’s lives, and I’m proud to team up with Representatives Miller-Meeks, Castor, Fitzpatrick, Dingell, and Harshbarger, and Senators Klobuchar and Crapo to make sure those resources are out there.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Michael McCaul (10th District of Texas)

WASHINGTON – House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Emeritus Michael McCaul (R-Texas) joined Shannon Bream on Fox News Sunday to discuss the latest on efforts to pass tough Russian sanctions, operations in Iran, and the SAVE America Act.

Click to watch

Excerpts from the interview:

On Senator Graham’s Russian sanctions bill and Ukraine’s current momentum: “…Nothing would honor Lindsey’s legacy greater than the Congress passing this sanctions bill. Because he knew to be strong at home, you have to project strength abroad. He knew that Russia and China and Iran are all tied in this together. This bill not only punishes Russia and energy coming out of Russia, it also hurts Iran, and it also hurts China. …

“With respect to conditions on the ground, I was near the front lines with the soldiers there, the commanders. The drone operations are absolutely stunning [With so many] casualties on the Russian side, [Ukraine is] actually winning this war. I think President Trump likes a winner, and that’s why he came out at the NATO summit supporting Ukraine’s efforts in getting Patriot licensing agreements. And this moral support for Ukraine was huge in terms of Zelensky’s reaction and on the front lines. Lastly, they need these interceptors. Every night when I was in Kyiv, they’re getting bombed by ballistic missiles. Last night, they had about 20 ballistic missiles … And we have to help them to stop that bombing.”

On the status of operations in Iran: “Remember, the military was winning this war against Iran. And by the way, I applaud President Trump, the first [president] since 1979 to take action against a nuclear Iran. And having said that, you know, our military is winning. We stopped to negotiate a ceasefire and a negotiated settlement. That did not work with this regime. I was not sanguine about that being successful. So now we’re going to move forward with plan A again. The military is going to move in, take out their launch pads, take out their ability to send Shahed drones to hit tankers, [and launch] missiles. [It is the] same thing, quite frankly, that Ukraine is doing against Russia. We’re going to do that against Iran. They’re using the same drones, the Shahed drones. But we’ve got to knock out these targets inside of Iran to open up the Strait of Hormuz. That has to be the fundamental, key objective right now.”

On the need to pass Reconciliation 3.0: “This is not just about Iran, by the way. This is about modernizing and replenishing our stockpiles, modernizing our defense industrial base. We have so many threats out there. It’s not just Iran. It’s the eastern flank of NATO and Russia. It’s also the Indo-Pacific and China. And we’ve been behind the curve on this. I support this funding along with the SAVE America Act, which is put in there as well.”

On efforts to pass the SAVE America Act: “To me, it’s very simple: The law says you have to be a citizen to vote. All we’re talking about is implementing the law and enforcing the law, so I see it as a very simple measure. …

“You know, the president talked a lot about China. I prosecuted the China investigation. [In] 1997 they were putting money into the Clinton campaign. My last campaign and Senator Marco Rubio at that time had a disinformation campaign launched against us by China. They are interfering in these elections. We need to take this integrity issue seriously, and that’s why it’s important to pass [the SAVE America Act].”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Harder held oversight inspection at local facility in January, announced key reforms to rein in ICE

New letter demands details on current operations, updates on legally-required identification, warrant orders

WASHINGTON – Last week, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) escalated efforts to rein in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency by announcing a new audit of ICE operations in the Valley. Following his oversight inspection of the Stockton ICE facility in January, Harder sent a letter to ICE Acting Director David Venturella demanding answers about local detainments, uses of force, and current operations, as well as compliance with legally-required orders and department policies. 

ICE is out of control in the Valley and across the country:

• Violent Operations – Last fall, dozens of people were detained at the Stockton ICE facility and demonstrators have been maced in response to community oversight efforts. Since then, ICE has continued violent operations in the Valley and across the country, which most recently led to fatal shootings in Texas and Maine.
• Illegal Policies – Despite court orders and new policies, ICE continues to conduct unlawful warrantless operations, ignore body camera mandates, and obscure identification. 
• Resistance to Oversight – During Harder’s oversight visit, local personnel refused to answer basic questions about conditions, detainments and transfers, and ongoing enforcement activity operating out of the Stockton ICE facility.

“ICE’s continued failure to provide basic information to either the public or Congress directly harms our community, frustrates Congress’s constitutional oversight responsibilities, and leaves my constituents without answers about actions that have profoundly affected their families and community,” wrote Rep. Harder in the letter. “My constituents deserve clarity and accountability from the federal government. I look forward to your prompt response.”

Harder’s letter demands direct answers by July 28, 2026:

• Oversight Visit – Complete written responses to questions provided in writing and in-person to personnel at the Stockton ICE facility.
• Community Concerns– Past, current, and upcoming enforcement activities, as well as details on access to counsel, food, water, medical care, interpretation services, and accommodations for children during detainments at the local facility.
• Policy Compliance– Current policies used by agents operating out of the Stockton ICE facility regarding unmarked vehicles, activities near schools and other locations used by children, and compliance with legally-required court orders and federally-mandated policies.

Read the full letter here.

Harder has been pushing for reforms at ICE and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for months, including leading successful calls for former Secretary Kristi Noem’s firing. Following her departure, Harder demanded the new Secretary Markwayne Mullin prioritize clear standards for enforcement, bans on face coverings, mandatory identification, new use-of-force policies, and bans on racial profiling. Harder has also continued to oppose any new federal funding for ICE until these reforms are enacted.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

First outbreak of New World Screwworm flies in decades discovered in Texas last month, already spread to New Mexico

Harder’s bill invests in early detection and prevention to protect agriculture communities and stop screwworms from spreading

STOCKTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) announced new bipartisan legislation to protect Valley livestock and agriculture communities from a growing outbreak of flesh-eating insects. Harder’s Protecting America’s Herds Act invests in early detection and prevention of New World Screwworm flies to control the outbreak and ultimately keep these parasites out of the Valley.

Parasitic swarms just broke into the U.S., and they’re headed for the Valley:

• Screwworm flies have been eradicated in the U.S. since the 1960s, but just last month new cases were detected in Texas, and the outbreak has already spread to New Mexico.
• These parasites lay eggs in open wounds of livestock, which hatch into flesh-eating maggots that can kill animals and even infect humans.
• The spreading outbreak also threatens to drive up beef prices, which have already climbed over a dollar per pound since 2025 before the outbreak even began.

“These parasitic swarms kill livestock, drive up beef prices, and can even infect people – we have to stop this outbreak before it spreads even more,” said Rep. Harder. “My bill jumpstarts detection and prevention efforts by giving local agriculture communities the resources and support they need to keep Valley livestock healthy. Passing this bill ASAP should be a no-brainer.”

How Harder’s bipartisan bill gets the screwworm outbreak under control:

• Early Detection and Prevention– Deploys inspectors and trains producers on identification, treatment, prevention, and case reporting.
• Priority Risk Funding– Fast-tracks funding to the states and communities at the highest risk of screwworm introduction or spread.
• Interagency Coordination – Enhanced coordination with U.S. Department of Agriculture, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, veterinarians, and state animal health officials.

 

The Protecting America’s Herds Act is endorsed by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Public Lands Council, and the American Sheep Industry.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Josh Harder (CA-10)

Partnership would connect scientists, AI systems, and federal datasets under one platform to accelerate new cures

Harder also calling for congressional briefing on additional resources needed for NIH’s partnership with the Genesis Mission

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09) called on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to partner with the Genesis Mission, a new federal research initiative designed to speed up breakthrough science. In a letter sent to NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya and White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Director Michael Kratsios, Harder urged the Administration to immediately develop plans to bring the nation’s top science agency into the public-private partnership.

The Genesis Mission is the most ambitious public-private partnership in decades:

• Led by the Department of Energy, (DOE) and its 17 National Laboratories, the initiative is working to connect the nation’s researchers, supercomputers, experimental facilities, and federal datasets through a single integrated AI platform.
• The Genesis Mission aims to double the productivity and impact of American science and engineering using AI to advance discovery science, energy dominance, and national security. 
• However, the initiative does not currently include the NIH, which is the nation’s largest non-defense research-and-development spender and top biomedical science agency.

“The Genesis Mission represents a generational opportunity to harness AI to dramatically increase the productivity and impact of American research and innovation, and secure America’s global technological leadership,” wrote Rep. Harder in the letter. “Including NIH in the Mission would extend those gains directly to patients – bringing lifesaving drugs to market faster and reducing the cost of developing and delivering new therapies. I stand ready to work with your offices to facilitate a partnership with NIH that accelerates drug discovery, lowers the cost of cures for American patients, and delivers on the Mission’s promise to double U.S. research productivity within a decade.”

Harder’s letter makes it clear that the NIH needs a seat at the Genesis Mission table:

• Faster Cures for Patients – Partnering with the NIH would pair the agency’s significant biomedical datasets with the Genesis Mission’s AI, supercomputing, and experimental infrastructure to accelerate drug discovery, lower development costs, and bring lifesaving treatments to patients faster.
• Health-Focused AI Research Agenda – This expanded partnership would enhance the Genesis Mission’s existing work to scale up biotechnology development and ensure biomedical breakthroughs and new cures are prioritized alongside energy and defense goals.
• Congressional Support– Harder also called for a briefing on any funding and authorization needs that would ensure that the NIH’s participation in the initiative did not divert resources away from its other critical research.

Read the full letter here.

Harder is also leading bipartisan, landmark legislation to invest in higher-risk, higher-reward research at the NIH by creating a new, four-part funding series at the agency dedicated to foundational discovery, toolbuilding, biomedical regranting, and new institution seeding. Harder also serves as Chair of the bipartisan Build America Caucus, which was founded to pass pro-growth policies across infrastructure, energy, housing, health care, and technology.

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

Today, Congresswoman Suzan DelBene (WA-01) released the following statement on President Trump’s latest 50 percent tariffs on Canadian goods. 

“Washington state and Canada’s economies are deeply intertwined, and our trading relationship is mutually beneficial. These new taxes will raise prices on American families and likely lead to retaliation against the very industries Trump purportedly wants to protect. The president continues to demonstrate to the American people why he shouldn’t be allowed to put more tariffs in place without Congress’ approval.

“While we may have legitimate issues with the Canadians between our alcohol, dairy, and automotive producers, the right way to handle these concerns is through thoughtful policy and negotiations, not knee-jerk reactions from the White House.”

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

WASHINGTON — The IRS announced that it will be in Bangor this week to provide in-person tax assistance for Mainers. Specifically, they will assist with tax law, refunds, payments, transcripts and forms. 

IRS staff will be available in Suite 20300 of the Margaret Chase Smith Federal Building, located at 202 Harlow St. They will be onsite from July 21 to July 23, during the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 

The IRS asks that attendees bring a valid state or federal photo ID. Tax payments will not be accepted. For an appointment, call (615) 250-5331.

If you need assistance with the IRS but are unable to visit in person, please reach out to any of our district offices: 

• Bangor Office: 6 State Street, Bangor ME 04401. Phone: (207) 249-7400
• Caribou Office: 7 Hatch Drive, Suite 230, Caribou ME 04736. Phone: (207) 492-6009
• Lewiston Office: 179 Lisbon Street, Lewiston ME 04240. Phone: (207) 241-6767
   

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi Representing the 12th District of California

Washington, D.C. — Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued the following statement on the passing of longtime San Francisco civic leader, businessman and philanthropist Clint Reilly:

“Paul and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our dear friend Clint Reilly. Clint loved our city and dedicated his remarkable talents, boundless energy and extraordinary generosity to making San Francisco a stronger, more vibrant and more compassionate place. He was deeply committed to the arts, devoted to his Catholic faith, and he understood that building a great city required strong civic institutions and a thriving business community.

“Clint brought together people from every walk of life to strengthen the community he loved, his generosity enriched countless organizations, and his belief in San Francisco never wavered. He was brilliant, irreverent, fiercely loyal and impossible to forget. Personally, I will always be grateful for Clint’s friendship and counsel over so many years. As the manager of my first campaign for Congress in 1987, he brought his unmatched strategic mind to help create and amplify my slogan: A Voice That Will Be Heard.

“Our city is stronger because of Clint’s vision, and generations of San Franciscans will continue to benefit from the life he lived in service to others. Our prayers are with Janet, Jill, Ava and the entire Reilly family, and with all who had the privilege to know and love Clint. May it be a comfort that so many are praying for them at this sad time and that Clint’s extraordinary legacy will endure in the city he cherished and in the countless lives he touched.”