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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Dan Newhouse (4th District of Washington)

Headline: Newhouse Votes to Secure Funding to Meet America's Infrastructure, Housing Demands

Press Release 
For Immediate Release: June 4, 2026
Contact: Juan Ayala, (202) 713-7750 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Dan Newhouse (WA-04) released the following statement upon Committee passage of the Fiscal Year 2027 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.  

“America’s highways, railroads, bridges, and air traffic control towers are in desperate need of improvements to handle our ever-growing economy,” said Rep. Newhouse. 

Newhouse continued, “Affordable housing programs provide low-income individuals, seniors, and the disabled with assistance to achieve home ownership. Coupled together, this appropriations package will help revitalize rural communities across our country. This legislation includes nearly $10 million in funding for infrastructure projects throughout Central Washington to improve traffic flows, accessibility, and streamline commerce. This is an important step in funding these critical agencies, and I look forward to advancing this bill on to the Senate.”

The Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill provides a total discretionary allocation of $92.224 billion, which is $10.659 billion (10.4%) below the Fiscal Year 2026 enacted level. This level reflects the America First agenda by including responsible levels for housing programs and reprioritizing transportation funding to meet infrastructure needs across the nation.  

The legislation also provides a non-defense discretionary total of $91.79 billion and a defense discretionary total of $434 million. Prioritizing air traffic control infrastructure, this bill funds controller hiring and transportation safety while maintaining essential housing assistance for our nation’s most vulnerable. Taken together with $83.285 billion in obligation limitations for highway and airport trust fund programs, the bill provides $111.571 billion in total budgetary resources to improve the safety and efficiency of our nation’s transportation system.  

The full committee markup can be viewed here. 

Rep. Newhouse secured the following funding for projects in Central Washington.  

Benton County Community Agricultural Center  

Amount: $750,000 

Description: Benton County is seeking to rehabilitate the Benton County Community Agricultural Center to transform it from a seasonal, underutilized structure into a safe, year-round multi-use facility. Currently, the building’s lack of insulation, climate control, and modern utilities restricts its use, leaving a significant gap in affordable space for youth organizations like 4-H and FFA. The project will upgrade structural elements, plumbing, electrical systems, and HVAC technology while adding small-animal wash areas and energy-efficient lighting. Once completed, the rehabilitated space will serve as a venue for local nonprofits and community groups, focusing on agricultural education and youth programming.  

City of Sunnyside, Edison Bridge Replacement Project  

Amount: $2,000,000 

Description: The Edison Bridge in Sunnyside has reached the end of its service life and due to its low sufficiency rating and dangerous safety record. Funding for this replacement project will allow for a modern crossing with optimized roadway geometry and improved turning radii to enhance safety and traffic flow. Beyond reducing crash frequency, the project will support the regional economy by ensuring reliable farm-to-market access for agricultural equipment and commercial freight while providing short-term construction jobs. Federal investment is critical to maintaining this coordinated project delivery, as the state’s larger infrastructure investments in the area cannot proceed without the bridge being replaced first. 

City of Kennewick, Phase II of the Columbia Center Boulevard Widening Project 

Amount: $2,000,000 

Description: Phase II of the Columbia Center Boulevard Widening Project will eliminate a major bottleneck by expanding the segment between Grandridge Boulevard and Deschutes Avenue into a six-lane configuration, enhancing safety and capacity for 24,000 daily vehicles. The project includes intersection reconstruction, improved traffic signals, and added pedestrian infrastructure to support the Tri-Cities’ primary economic district. 

Completion of this final phase will boost regional mobility and freight access, supporting hundreds of jobs and economic development in the Vista Field and Three Rivers areas.  

City of Richland, SR 240/Snively Road Improvement Project 

Amount: $1,500,000 

Description: The City of Richland is seeking federal funding to realign Snively Road and construct a new, signalized intersection at State Route 240, primarily to provide safe access to a proposed Washington State Veterans Cemetery that would serve roughly 46,000 regional veterans. This project aims to overcome high development costs for the site while enhancing a key corridor that experiences significant traffic and safety needs. 

Beyond improving access to the veterans’ facility, the project serves as a strategic investment to enhance safety, improve traffic operations for the growing Horn Rapids area, and establish a high-visibility gateway into the Tri-Cities. The realignment supports residential and commercial growth and addresses existing deficiencies at the current Snively Road intersection. 

City of Yakima, Yakima Airport Terminal Modernization Project, Phase III 

Amount: $1,500,000 

Description: Phase 3 of the Yakima Airport terminal modernization will involve the upgrade of essential public-facing infrastructure, including airline counters and baggage intake systems. These improvements will integrate modern electrical and mechanical systems designed to meet current Transportation Security Administration standards while significantly reducing processing delays for both passengers and cargo. By eliminating operational bottlenecks, the project will ensure the airport can handle increased traffic safely and efficiently. The modernized terminal will support the movement of time-sensitive agricultural products and enhance service reliability. Additionally, the project will incorporate energy-efficient systems and ADA-compliant facilities, reducing long-term operating costs while ensuring equitable access for all residents and businesses in the Yakima Valley. 

City of Union Gap Regional Beltway Connector Phase 2B 

Amount: $2,000,000 

Description: Funding is requested to construct the Stage 2B roundabout and intersection improvements for the Regional Beltway Connector. The project will construct a modern roundabout at a key junction connecting Interstate 82, U.S. Route 97, Ahtanum Road, and western Yakima Valley destinations. Work includes roadway approaches, drainage, illumination, traffic control features, and ADA-compliant pedestrian and bicycle facilities. 

Construction of the Stage 2B roundabout will improve traffic operations and safety while supporting future freight movement through the corridor. The project will reduce conflicts between heavy trucks, local traffic, pedestrians, and bicyclists, improve emergency response reliability, and strengthen access between agricultural and industrial areas and the interstate system. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, and Congressman Bob Latta (OH-05), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Energy, sent a letter to the Co-Chairs of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel requesting information about the evidence that strongly suggests there are foreign influence campaigns working to slow American AI progress and block the development of the infrastructure we need to power it.

“Our nation is locked in a race with China to innovate and lead the world in the development of Artificial Intelligence technologies. The fact that Chinese Communist Party-backed entities and other foreign adversaries may be attempting to influence decisions related to American data center infrastructure puts into perspective how serious of a fight we are in. Americans deserve to know who is bankrolling the disinformation campaign that seeks to block critical infrastructure investments,” said Chairman Guthrie. “Data centers are the foundational computing structure that makes modern life possible. From financial and medical records that underpin the economy and personal health care to the photos and emails on our phones to the critical infrastructure that keeps the electricity flowing to homes and businesses, so much of what we take for granted in our daily digital lives relies on the data center infrastructure across the country. Our adversaries in Beijing fundamentally understand this, and that’s why our Committee is working to address this critical issue.”

Key excerpt from the letter:

“In July 2025, the White House released an action plan titled, ‘Winning the Race: America’s Action Plan,’ which states, ‘[w]hoever has the largest AI ecosystem will set global AI standards and reap broad economic and military benefits. Just like we won the space race, it is imperative that the United States and its allies win this race.’ As the Committee with legislative jurisdiction over matters related to energy, telecommunications, health care, and environment, advancements in AI and the buildout of infrastructure supporting this technology, such as data centers, is of keen interest. The U.S. is in a global race for technological superiority that has significantly raised the stakes for economic and national security if our nation falls behind. It is critical that this Administration takes any effort to undermine this objective—particularly from foreign adversaries—with a great deal of seriousness.”

CLICK HERE to read the full letter.

CLICK HERE to read more from the New York Post.

BACKGROUND:
New investigations from the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI) and Power the Future (PTF) lay out how these foreign-linked influence campaigns are currently being waged. 
 
BPI documents how foreign state media, the CCP-aligned Singham network, and foreign-billionaire funding are routed through U.S. nonprofits. PTF’s report shows how billionaire donors filter cash through a financial web into America’s nonprofit ecosystem to turn public opinion against data center buildout, using the same playbook environmental activists have run against needed energy projects for decades. 
 
This new information comes as states and localities continue to examine potential pauses and moratoriums on data center construction, an effort that is backstopped by Senator Bernie Sander’s disastrous AI Data Center Moratorium Act. 
 
Throughout this Congress, the Committee on Energy and Commerce has worked to ensure American leadership in AI, while supporting the power generation needed to win the race against China to AI dominance.  
 
The stakes couldn’t be higher. China already deploys next-generation technologies to advance many of the regime’s most sinister goals focused on enhancing the power of its surveillance state utilizing advanced computing. The fact that China is now attempting to undermine American AI innovation is a stark warning, and these threats need to be taken seriously. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brett Guthrie (2nd District Kentucky)

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Brett Guthrie (KY-02) voted in favor of H.R. 8646, the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. This legislation allocates over $26 billion to protect our nation’s food supply, support Kentucky farmers, and prioritize Americans’ health for Fiscal Year 2027.

“Today marks another historic step in Congressional efforts to support our nation’s agricultural producers and rural communities,” said Congressman Guthrie. “This legislation will invest billions to support rural development initiatives, strengthen nutrition programs for Americans in need, and provide additional funding for research to improve the stability of our agriculture industry. This bill is a win for our Commonwealth’s rural communities and the more than 20,000 farms that call Kentucky’s Second District home.”

Background:

The Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2027 allocates $26.27 billion in funding to support Kentucky agriculture, rural communities, and Americans most in need. H.R. 8646 accomplishes these goals by:
– Increasing funding for the Agricultural Research Service to $1.79 billion, which will help high-priority research of emerging pests and diseases.
– Adding the Secretary of Agriculture to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review agricultural transactions, including purchases made by China.
– Allocating $1.15 billion for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to support animal health and specialty crop programs.
–Providing over $100 billion in mandatory funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to provide nutrition assistance for our most vulnerable.
– Providing $8 billion in funding for Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and ensuring access to fresh, frozen, canned, and dried fruits and vegetables, making all affordable options available to eligible mothers and children.

A summary of this legislation, provided by the House Committee on Appropriations, before amendments, can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jared Huffman Representing the 2nd District of California

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04)

“We expect companies that pride themselves on consumer protection, like Bank of America, to stand up for its customers and not rely on forced arbitration clauses that quietly strip customers of their rights.”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Congressman Hank Johnson (D-GA) wrote to Bank of America CEO Brian Moynihan, calling on the bank to immediately remove its recently added forced arbitration agreement, hamstringing consumers’ legal rights and denying them the ability to hold corporations accountable.

“The new forced arbitration provision will force Bank of America’s customers into a private and secretive system, rigged against their interests. During the arbitration process, corporations can write the rules and have no obligation to make proceedings public. Without access to the public court system, discovery is typically limited, making it hard for consumers to obtain the evidence needed to prove their case,” wrote the lawmakers.

“We expect companies that pride themselves on consumer protection, like Bank of America, to stand up for its customers and not rely on forced arbitration clauses that quietly strip customers of their rights,” continued the lawmakers. “At a time when costs are rising, Americans are struggling to get by, and the Trump administration has abandoned enforcement of even the most basic consumer protection policies, we are deeply disappointed that Bank of America is imposing yet another obstacle for customers seeking accountability and protection.”

The full letter to Moynihan can be found here and below.

Dear Mr. Moynihan,

We write to urge Bank of America to immediately remove the forced arbitration provision recently added to its Online Banking Service agreement. This inherently unjust provision denies consumers the right to hold corporations accountable and enforce their rights. [1]

In 2009, Bank of America ended its use of forced arbitration clauses in credit card disputes.[2] The change, welcomed by advocates and consumers alike, followed a lawsuit alleging that Bank of America colluded with other banks to implement arbitration provisions – effectively severing a customer’s ability to enforce their rights in court.[3] Bank of America’s decision not to include forced arbitration provisions in its terms thereafter persisted for almost 17 years.[4] In fact, in response to a letter sent by Senator Elizabeth Warren in 2017, Bank of America even called its decision to remove the arbitration clauses the “right business practice to maintain relationships with its clients and customers.”[5]

However, in a significant departure from its historical commitments, Bank of America recently added a forced arbitration provision to its Online Banking Service Terms. As of May 18, 2026, customers will be forced to resolve almost every dispute with Bank of America through forced private arbitration, denying them their right to a jury trial or to participation in class-action lawsuits.[6] Similarly troubling, the Online Banking Service agreement only gives customers 60 days to opt out of the clause – leaving most customers likely unaware that their rights are being stripped away.[7]

The new forced arbitration provision will force Bank of America’s customers into a private and secretive system, rigged against their interests. During the arbitration process, corporations can write the rules and have no obligation to make proceedings public. Without access to the public court system, discovery is typically limited, making it hard for consumers to obtain the evidence needed to prove their case.[8] Additionally, there is no meaningful judicial review, frequently leaving consumers without the ability to appeal a decision even if the arbitrator gets it wrong. The process is binding, forcing consumers into an inherently biased system that they did not choose for themselves.[9]

We expect companies that pride themselves on consumer protection, like Bank of America, to stand up for its customers and not rely on forced arbitration clauses that quietly strip customers of their rights.[10] At a time when costs are rising, Americans are struggling to get by, and the Trump administration has abandoned enforcement of even the most basic consumer protection policies, we are deeply disappointed that Bank of America is imposing yet another obstacle for customers seeking accountability and protection.

We urge Bank of America to immediately remove the forced arbitration clause and restore basic consumer protection principles. In addition, in order to gain a deeper understanding of Bank of America’s decision to add a forced arbitration clause to its Online Banking Service Terms, please provide detailed responses to the following questions by June 26, 2026:

1. Why is Bank of America reversing its 2009 decision to eliminate forced arbitration clauses from its contracts?

2. In 2017, in response to a letter sent by Senator Elizabeth Warren, Bank of America stated that it “implemented revisions to our arbitration policies and procedures almost ten years ago because we believe it is the right business practice for us to maintain relationships with our clients and customers.”[11]
 
a. Is Bank of America no longer concerned with “maintain[ing] relationships with its clients and customers?”

b. Has Bank of America conducted any analysis of the effects this policy will have on its customers?

3. Did Bank of America conduct internal reviews or analyses before deciding to add forced arbitration clauses to its Online Banking Service Terms?

a. If so, please provide any related insight or documentation explaining the factors that contributed to its decision to add forced arbitration clauses.

4. Has Bank of America projected any cost savings or any other return as a result of adding the forced arbitration clause?

5. Will Bank of America commit to reassessing its decision to include forced arbitration provisions?

CITATIONS

[1] Bank of America, “Online Banking Service Agreement,” May 18, 2026, https://www.bankofamerica.com/content/documents/agreement/OnlineBankingServiceAgreementUpdateEN.pdf.
[2] Kathy Chu, “Bank of America ends arbitration of credit card disputes,” ABC News, August 13, 2009, https://abcnews.com/Business/story?id=8324675&page=1.
[3] Associated Press, “BofA Drops Credit Card Arbitration Requirement,” CNBC, August 14, 2025,  https://www.citizen.org/article/coalition-letter-opposing-bank-of-americas-adoption-of-forced-arbitration-provisions-in-its-online-banking-service-agreement/#_ftn2.
[4] Ibid.
[5] Letter to The Honorable Elizabeth Warren from John Collingwood, Director of Federal Government Affairs for Bank of America, Sep. 1, 2017, https://www.warren.senate.gov/files/documents/2017_09_12_Responses_to_Arb_Letter.pdf.
[6] Bank of America, “Online Banking Service Agreement,” May 18, 2026, https://www.bankofamerica.com/content/documents/agreement/OnlineBankingServiceAgreementUpdateEN.pdf.
[7] Ibid.
[8] Economic Policy Institute, “The Arbitration Epidemic,” December 7, 2015, https://www.epi.org/publication/the-arbitration-epidemic/.
[9] Ibid.
[10] Bank of America, “Our Mission & Vision,” accessed May 19, 2026, https://careers.bankofamerica.com/en-us/company/values.
[11] Letter to The Honorable Elizabeth Warren from John Collingwood, Director of Federal Government Affairs for Bank of America, Sep. 1, 2017, https://www.warren.senate.gov/files/documents/2017_09_12_Responses_to_Arb_Letter.pdf.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON – Today House Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Ranking Member Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-01), House Education and Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA-03), and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) introduced legislation to guarantee workers receive the full award they deserve when their employers are found liable for employment discrimination.

“It’s unacceptable that many workers are not receiving full compensation after experiencing discrimination,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Arbitrary caps on awards for discrimination allow irresponsible employers to avoid being held accountable for their wrongdoing and add to the harm experienced by workers in discrimination cases. I’m grateful to partner with Ranking Member Scott and Senator Markey to finally end this outdated and harmful practice.”

“Too often, when employers are found liable for discriminating against an employee based on age, for example, the employee is not awarded the full amount that the jury determines they should receive.  This is because of a decades-old law that arbitrarily caps damages for employment discrimination.  Moreover, the caps have not been adjusted over time to keep pace with inflation.  Weak and ineffective penalties do not deter unscrupulous employers from violating workers’ rights and protections,” said Ranking Member Scott.  “The Equal Remedies Act eliminates unfair damage caps and amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act so employees who experience age discrimination can access the same remedies available to those who experience other forms of discrimination.  I am grateful for Rep. Bonamici and Sen. Markey’s leadership on this important issue and look forward to fighting alongside them to ensure workers receive the full amount of damages they are awarded by a jury of their peers.”

“It’s outrageous that many workers are still denied financial justice when they experience discrimination on the job while corporations reap record-high profits,” said Senator Markey. “Arbitrary and outdated caps routinely force judges to slash jury awards, leaving victims with only a fraction of the payment they deserve despite suffering significant economic and emotional harm. The Equal Remedies Act eliminates these unfair limits, holds abusive employers accountable, and gives seniors and other workers a shot at full compensation and real justice.”

The Equal Remedies Act corrects an outdated 1991 law that caps awards in employment discrimination cases and prevents workers from receiving the full amount awarded by a jury.  The maximum award for these cases has not kept pace with inflation and is determined by the number of employees at the place of work without considering the severity of harm caused by the discriminatory behavior.  

The new Equal Remedies Act eliminates unfair damage caps and amends the Age Discrimination in Employment Act so employees who experience age discrimination can access the same remedies available to those who experience other forms of discrimination.

The Equal Remedies Act is endorsed by the American Association for Justice (AAJ), Barrett & Farahany, Equal Rights Advocates, Lift Our Voices, National Employment Law Project (NELP), National Women’s Law Center (NWLC) Action Fund, People’s Parity Project, WorkLife Law, National Institute for Workers’ Rights, National Employment Lawyers Association.

“For far too long, arbitrary, one-size-fits-all limits on damages in workplace discrimination cases have allowed employers to discriminate at a discount,” said Gaylynn Burroughs, vice president for education and workplace justice at the National Women’s Law Center. “These caps on jury awards are outdated and unpopular, and it’s time to eliminate them once and for all. The Equal Remedies Act would do just that, ensuring that employers who discriminate are held fully accountable and that workers who experience discrimination can be fully compensated for the harm they have suffered.”

“When Congress capped damages in 1991, it told juries their verdicts didn’t count. The Equal Remedies Act finally fixes that,” said Amanda Farahany, Founding Partner of Barrett & Farahany. “Workers who prove discrimination deserve the full measure of justice a jury says they’re owed — not a number picked by politicians three decades ago.”

The legislation is cosponsored by Representatives Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) and Pamila Jayapal (D-WA).

To read the full bill text of the Equal Remedies Act, click here.

To read the fact sheet for the Equal Remedies Act, click here.

To read the section-by-section for the Equal Remedies Act, click here.

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

Rep. Jimmy Gomez Statement on Lebanon War Powers Resolution

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Brian Babin (R-TX)

Babin, Cruz Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Protect MQ-9 Capabilities and Preserve Air National Guard Readiness

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives Brian Babin (R-TX) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-PA) and Senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Sustainment of Unmanned Systems, Total Force Aircraft Inventory, and National Guard Protection (SUSTAIN) Act. This bipartisan legislation prohibits the Air Force from reducing MQ-9 units or staffing levels in ways that would erode their current operational capabilities.

Rep. Babin said, “The 147th Attack Wing at Ellington Field in my district represents exactly why this effort is urgently needed. MQ-9 units have provided the nation with persistent ISR, strike, and other critical capabilities that strengthen our national defense. The platform that delivers this capability may evolve over time, but we cannot allow the capability, expertise, and readiness these Airmen provide to disappear without a clear and responsible path forward. I am proud to lead this effort in the House alongside Rep. Houlahan and Senators Cruz, Kelly, and Slotkin to ensure these units are not left behind. At a time when our adversaries are growing more aggressive, we should not weaken our military or hollow out proven capabilities. I will keep fighting to protect Ellington Field, strengthen our Air National Guard, and ensure the United States remains the strongest and most feared military power on Earth.”

U.S. Senator Ted Cruz introduced companion legislation in the United States Senate.

Sen. Cruz said, “The MQ-9 is a proven, cost-effective platform that provides critical intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities. In Texas, they were invaluable after the devastating July 4, 2025 floods, when the Texas Air National Guard’s 147th Attack Wing deployed the MQ-9 to support search, rescue, and recovery operations along the Guadalupe River. I am proud to introduce this legislation to protect the MQ-9’s operational capabilities and preserve this vital asset.”

Sen. Kelly said, “This aircraft is a critical platform for the Arizona National Guard to gather intelligence, conduct surveillance, and perform strike missions. We must invest in the best tools that strengthen our national security. With this bill we’re making sure servicemembers have the equipment they need at a time of growing global threats.”

Sen. Slotkin said, “Protecting Air National Guard missions has been a priority for me since my time in the House. The message is simple: don’t take away missions from the National Guard until you have a plan to replace it. The same rule applies here. I’m glad to have bipartisan support to protect these missions and the servicemembers that form the backbone of our military, including at Battle Creek in Michigan. The SUSTAIN Act holds the Air Force to a basic standard: show us the plan before you start cutting people and planes. Our National Guard units deserve that, and our national security will be stronger because of it.”

BACKGROUND

The Sustainment of Unmanned Systems, Total Force Aircraft Inventory, and National Guard Protection (SUSTAIN) Act prohibits the U.S. Air Force from reducing MQ-9 aircraft, units, or staffing levels from the date of enactment through September 30, 2032. The bill provides an exception for MQ-9 aircraft that are determined to be no longer mission-capable and too costly to repair due to a critical malfunction or if an MQ-9 unit undergoes a change of mission.

This bill has been referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Kelly (R-PA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — During a full Ways & Means Committee hearing with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Thursday, U.S. Rep. Mike Kelly (R-PA), Chairman of the Ways & Means Subcommittee on Tax, highlighted the success of Erie’s Opportunity Zones. Kelly also invited the Secretary to Erie to tour the city’s projects.

“Opportunity Zone investments have expanded housing, supported small businesses and entrepreneurship, spurred innovation, and revitalized long-forgotten communities. Erie, Pennsylvania, demonstrates the transformative potential of Opportunity Zones,” said Rep. Kelly.

“I’ve heard that Erie is the posterchild in a great way for Opportunity Zones. So, I look forward to coming to visit, and I look forward to visiting the rural areas in your district,” said Sec. Bessent.

VIDEO: Watch Rep. Kelly’s exchange with Sec. Bessent during Thursday’s hearing on Rep. Kelly’s YouTube channel.

BACKGROUND

Opportunity Zones were first created under the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act (TCJA). They allow investors from all over the United States to invest their capital gains earnings in economically distressed communities where new investments can be eligible for preferential capital gains tax treatment. Instead of sitting idle in a brokerage or bank account, this money is put to work in communities that have not seen significant private investment for some time. 

Rep. Kelly has led Opportunity Zones legislation in Congress. In 2025, The Working Families Tax Cuts made permanent and expanded Rep. Kelly’s Opportunity Zones (OZ) legislation, which encourages private investment in low-income and rural communities.

In March, he introduced the “Increasing Housing in Opportunity Zones Act,” legislation that enables the U.S. Secretary of Housing & Urban Development added weight to applicants for competitive HUD grants that are located in, or primarily serve, designated Opportunity Zones to support housing preservation and construction. The legislation passed the U.S. House in May.

Since its enactment, Opportunity Zones have attracted more than $100 billion in private investment across thousands of communities nationwide.

About Erie’s Opportunity Zones

Erie, Pennsylvania may best exemplify the economic benefits and the tangible changes Opportunity Zones can create in a relatively short period of time. In 2018, the city’s downtown ZIP code, 16501, was named the poorest in Pennsylvania and among the poorest nationwide. However, through the potential of OZs, the stigma of Pennsylvania’s poorest ZIP code served as a springboard for investment in the area. 

Shortly after TCJA was signed into law, a group of local residents recognized how Opportunity Zones could revitalize the city. Major employers, local universities and other organizations partnered to provide initial financial backing to form the Erie Downtown Development Corporation (EDDC).  

To date, EDDC has leveraged more than $115 million in private investment into downtown Erie, which has built 108 new fully occupied residences, revitalized and created more than 100,000 square feet of new commercial space, and established space for 25 new businesses. Overall, $400 million of long-term capital investment is at work, breathing new life into Downtown Erie. 

You can read Rep. Kelly’s op-ed with U.S. Housing & Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner and U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) from 2025 on FoxNews.com here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sharice Davids (KS-3)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, during a U.S. House Agriculture Committee hearing, Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03) questioned U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins on the recent detection of New World Screwworm in the United States, as well as rising costs and staffing cuts affecting the Department’s ability to respond to agricultural threats.

“I continue to hear from Kansas farmers and ranchers who feel like they are getting hit from every single direction,” said Davids. “When farmers are hurting, it doesn’t stay on the farm. It affects food prices, local businesses, and the entire country and our rural communities. And that’s exactly why farmers need a Department of Agriculture that they can count on. Instead, we have seen significant staffing cuts across the board.”

WATCH: Davids speaks with USDA Secretary Rollins during today’s hearing

The USDA confirmed yesterday that New World Screwworm larvae were detected in a three-week-old calf in Zavala County, Texas — the first confirmed case in the United States in decades. The New World Screwworm is a flesh-eating parasite that can devastate livestock herds, threaten ranchers’ livelihoods, and drive up grocery prices. Federal and state officials have established surveillance zones and initiated eradication measures, including increased deployment of sterile flies designed to stop reproduction of the pest.

The parasite’s northward spread from Mexico has raised concern among agriculture experts due to its potential to rapidly damage cattle herds and other livestock. Analysts estimate that even a limited outbreak could cost producers approximately $732 million per year and result in $1.8 billion in total losses. The cattle industry alone represents a $15 billion sector in Kansas.

“Yesterday, when confirming the New World Screwworm case in Texas, I have to say I was struck by your use of the phrase ‘as expected’ in the USDA post on X,” Davids told Secretary Rollins. “I know there were projections on timing, … but from talking to Kansans, I can say that ranchers don’t care that it’s expected. They want to know what’s being done to prevent [it].”

Davids also highlighted broader pressures facing Kansas farmers, including rising input costs and market uncertainty. She cited a 30 percent increase in fertilizer prices, $28 billion in crop losses over the last crop year tied to trade policy uncertainty, and a 70 percent increase in Midwest farm bankruptcies last year. 

Davids has consistently worked to support rural communities while pushing back against extreme policies that make it harder for producers to thrive. She voted for a bipartisan Farm Bill to provide certainty for Kansas producers, opposed reckless tariffs that are driving up costs, and introduced legislation aimed at strengthening the food supply chain and lowering fertilizer costs. She has also raised concerns about the President’s Argentina beef bailout, which puts foreign producers ahead of American ranchers.