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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Danny K Davis (7th District of Illinois)

Chicago, IL — Congressman Danny K. Davis today commemorated the anniversary of the signing of the Second Chance Act, landmark bipartisan legislation he led in Congress to support individuals returning home from incarceration and strengthen communities through successful reentry.

Signed into law in 2008, the Second Chance Act fundamentally reshaped federal reentry policy by investing in job training, housing support, substance use treatment, mentoring, and community-based services designed to reduce recidivism and improve long-term outcomes.

“When we passed the Second Chance Act, we recognized that permanent punishment should not define a person’s future,” said Congressman Davis. “We made a commitment to redemption, accountability, and opportunity—and that work continues today.”

Nationally, approximately 70 million to 100 Americans—about one in three adults—have a criminal record, and nearly 2 million women are released from U.S. jails each year, underscoring the scale of reentry challenges.

In Illinois’ 7th Congressional District, an estimated 140,000 to 145,000 adults live with a criminal record—roughly one in four adults and nearly one in five households—representing a significant portion of the community directly impacted by reentry policies.

Since its passage, Congress has appropriated more than $1.2 billion for Second Chance Act programs, supporting state and local initiatives across the country that reduce recidivism, improve employment outcomes, and strengthen public safety.

“These investments have helped build a national reentry infrastructure, but the need remains urgent,” Davis said. “Too many returning citizens still face barriers to employment, housing, and healthcare that prevent full reintegration into society.”

Congressman Davis emphasized that reentry is not only a matter of justice, but also of economic stability and community safety.

“When individuals successfully reenter society, families are stronger, communities are safer, and our economy benefits,” Davis said. “The Second Chance Act has proven that smart investments in people lead to better outcomes for everyone.”

As Congress looks ahead, Davis called for expanding and modernizing reentry programs to meet the current scale of need.

“We must build on the foundation we created,” Davis added. “That means increasing funding, removing systemic barriers, and ensuring that every person returning home has a real opportunity to succeed.”

SUCCESS SUMMARY 

The Second Chance Act has delivered measurable results by shifting federal policy toward evidence-based reentry.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice Bureau of Justice Assistance and program evaluations:

• Second Chance Act programs have reduced recidivism, with some initiatives showing 10–20 percentage point declines in reoffending compared to similar populations.
• Participants have seen improved employment outcomes, including higher job placement and retention rates after release.
• The Act helped build a national reentry infrastructure, funding hundreds of state and local programs providing housing, workforce training, and behavioral health services.
• Programs have expanded substance abuse and mental health treatment, addressing key drivers of incarceration.
• Youth reentry initiatives have improved school re-enrollment and reduced juvenile recidivism. 

Since its passage, Congress has invested over $1.2 billion in Second Chance Act programs, supporting efforts that strengthen public safety by helping individuals successfully return to their communities.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

The GRACIE Act would support efforts to preserve recordings of Child Protective Services interviews

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

LOWELL, MA – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) met with Ashby town leaders to discuss the significant safety improvements from the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project, which was completed thanks to $3,301,715.56 in federal funding Trahan secured through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Since the project’s completion, the town has seen a noticeable decrease in accidents at the intersections.

“When I visited this intersection back in 2021, the need for improvement was clear,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “I’m proud that the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law delivered the federal investment to get this done. Too often, federal dollars flow to larger cities while smaller communities like Ashby get overlooked – that’s not acceptable. Every resident in this district deserves safe roads, and this project is proof that when we fight for small towns, we can deliver real results.”

“The Town extends sincere appreciation to Congresswoman Lori Trahan and MassDOT for their collaboration and support in advancing this critical infrastructure project. The intersection of Turnpike Road and Greenville Road experienced numerous traffic accidents over the years, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. The improvements have significantly enhanced traffic flow and are already reducing the risk of collisions, creating a safer environment for our residents, commuters, and emergency responders. This project reflects Ashby’s ongoing commitment to improving roadway safety and highlights the importance of strong partnerships between local, state, and federal agencies in addressing community needs,” said Mary Daughraty, Ashby Town Administrator.

The Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection sits at a critical crossroads in Ashby, serving as a key connector for the town’s roughly 4,200 residents as they go about their daily lives. For years, the intersection posed real safety concerns for the drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians who rely on it, concerns that Congresswoman Trahan saw firsthand during a site visit in August 2021. Getting this intersection right was a priority not just for the town’s highway team, but for residents who depend on these roads to get to work, to school, and to the places that make Ashby home.

The project involved the creation of a four-exit rotary, milling and resurfacing the roadways, and updated pavement markings to ensure the safety of drivers passing through the corridor. Before finalizing the design, engineers conducted a full alternatives analysis to ensure the most effective traffic control method was deployed. The total project cost was $3,340,303, with 90 percent of that, $3,301,715, covered by federal dollars through the Highway Safety Improvement Program, a program that received a significant funding boost as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. The remaining 10 percent was covered by the state.

“Partnerships are key to community-building, and this federal-state one is what made the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project a much-needed and successful reality,” said State Representative Margaret Scarsdale. “Congresswoman Trahan is a fierce advocate for Ashby, and we appreciate her leadership.”

Shortly after visiting the Ashby intersection in 2021, Trahan helped pass the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, paving the way for more than $9.5 billion in federal investments to upgrade the Commonwealth’s infrastructure, including the Greenville Road and Turnpike Road intersection project.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Paul Tonko (Capital Region New York)

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Paul D. Tonko (NY-20) today introduced the Power for the People Act in the House, legislation that ensures data centers are held responsible for the high costs of their electricity demand. Senator Van Hollen (D- MD) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. 

The rise of artificial intelligence models has resulted in data center development exploding in recent years. With data centers critical to national security, economic development, and job growth, their need will only increase.

However, data centers are huge energy consumers, and their rapid growth and energy demand is placing increased strain on the electric grid. Recent reports have indicated that 55% of new energy demand in the US comes solely from data centers, and if load forecasts are correct, data centers will represent 15% of our national electricity consumption by 2030. Without proper backstops in place, new energy demand from data centers will continue to increase prices resulting in big profits for energy companies and big bills for electricity customers.

“Families are already paying higher prices for everything from groceries to healthcare, to gas, to utilities — they shouldn’t be forced to also shoulder the costs for companies building data centers,” Congressman Tonko said. “Our Power for the People Act balances the need for data center development without pushing those costs onto consumers. I thank my colleagues for supporting this commonsense legislation that protects consumers and grid reliability while holding big technology companies accountable.”

House Cosponsors include: Kathy Castor, Steve Cohen, Maxine Dexter, Sarah Elfreth, Valerie Foushee, John Garamendi, Dan Goldman, Eleanor Holmes-Norton, Glenn Ivey, Stephen Lynch, April McClain Delaney, Jennifer McClellan, Kweisi Mfume, Johnny Olszewski, Mike Quigley, Jan Schakowsky

Senate Cosponsors include: Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Richard Blumenthal (D-CN), Cory Booker (D-NJ) Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Tina Smith (D-MN), Peter Welch (D-VT)

Supporting organizations include: NRDC, Union of Concerned Scientists, Sierra Club, Evergreen, Consumer Federation of America, National Consumer Law Center, Public Citizen, Maryland People’s Counsel, Illinois Citizens Utility Board, New Jersey Division of the Rate Counsel, Oregon Citizens Utility Board, and Delaware Division of the Public Advocate 

The Power for the People Act will:

• Direct FERC to issue a rule to ensure data centers are paying for the local transmission upgrades they require
• Direct FERC to issue a rule requiring electric grid operators to create a data center load queue
• Create a system to manage data center interconnection to the grid that would prioritize data centers that:
  • Bring their own new power generation and battery storage systems to the grid;
  • Mitigate pollution; and
  • Create good paying jobs 
• Support efforts to improve accurate data center load forecasting 

A fact-sheet of the bill is attached HERE.

Bill text is attached HERE.

A section by section is attached HERE.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman John Garamendi (CA-08), a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee, joined U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), along with Representatives Delia Ramirez (Ill-03), and Troy Carter (LA-02), in pressing the Inspector Generals of the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and the State to open an investigation into the Trump administration’s attempts to deport people to countries they have no ties to.

“We request that your offices evaluate the Trump Administration’s unlawful and costly system of ‘third-country removals’…Congress and the public deserve answers to better understand the scale of legal violations within this system that was recently ruled unconstitutional,” wrote the lawmakers.

Since President Trump took office for a second time, his administration has deported hundreds of people, including children, long-time U.S. residents, and individuals with no criminal records, to countries they are not from and that were not designated for their removal, which U.S. immigration law only allows in rare circumstances. Deportees are being sent to these countries without proper due process, and in some cases without being provided an opportunity to voice concerns that their life or freedom would be in danger in that third country. To persuade countries to accept deportees, the Trump Administration has used a combination of threats and payments, including paying $32 million to El Salvador, Rwanda, Eswatini, Equatorial Guinea, and Palau.

In September 2025, Senator Warren led over 60 members of Congress in launching an investigation into these practices. Despite the serious implications of third-country removals, both State and Homeland Security have failed to comply with the requests made as part of that investigation.

On February 25, 2026, a federal court ruled that this third-country removal system violates the U.S. Constitution and immigration law. Even so, DHS’s 2025 guidance regarding third country removals — which do not appear to have been updated since the February 2026 court ruling — claim the Department can deport individuals to third countries with no individualized process whatsoever.

Many people first learn that they are being deported to a third country while on the flight overseas. Even when a country has not credibly promised to refrain from torture or persecution, DHS still generally gives individuals only 24 hours’ notice that they will be deported to a particular country, with no guaranteed opportunity to speak with an attorney. To make matters worse, some DHS attorneys have reportedly threatened asylum seekers that they may be deported to third countries in order to pressure them to abandon their asylum claims and accept deportation to their home countries.

Some people deported to third countries have reported torture, arbitrary detention, and forced return to their countries of origin where courts have found they are likely to face persecution, and other human rights violations.

“Such reports cast serious doubt on DoS’s process, if one exists, of verifying the reliability of countries’ assertions that they will not torture or persecute deportees, or transport them onward to other countries where they’re likely to face torture or persecution,” wrote the lawmakers.

Meanwhile, the Administration is continuing to execute third-country deportations. As of early March, ICE had over 500 people in its custody slated for third-country deportations, and DHS signaled that it had its sights on deporting over 8,000 people to third countries.

The lawmakers asked that Inspectors General’s investigation include the administration’s failure to follow due process, negotiations with foreign governments, evaluating the risk of torture and persecution, and the cost of third-country deportations.

Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Patty Murray (D-WA), Alex Padilla (D-CA), Jackie Rosen (D-NV), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Adam Schiff (D-CA) signed on to this letter.

Representatives Donald Beyer (VA-08), Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Diana DeGette (CO-01), Dwight Evans (PA-03), Jesús García (IL-04), Sylvia Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jahana Hayes (CT-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-At Large), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), and Adam Smith (WA-09) signed on to this letter.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Jimmy Panetta (D-Calif)

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) issued the following statement after Republicans blocked a war powers resolution he cosponsored to end the War in Iran:

“Now more than ever, Congress must reclaim its constitutional authority over the Iran War. Speaker Mike Johnson has abdicated Congress’s role and failed to exercise any oversight over this Administration, which has given President Donald Trump free rein to conduct a military campaign in Iran based on an incoherent and inconsistent strategy.

“This war not only has violated the U.S. Constitution, but also led to the loss of lives of U.S. servicemembers as well as driven up prices on fuel and food for working families across the country. Although I appreciate a temporary cessation of hostilities, the President’s deal with the Iranian regime is unsustainable, hasn’t opened up the Strait of Hormuz, does little to solve the underlying security issues that started this war, and fails to include a strategy going forward.

“Today, Speaker Johnson failed to recognize a Congressional war powers resolution over the Iran War. He refuses to allow Congress to address what I believe is about to be the least debated war in American history. Although the resolution was blocked, I continue to call on Speaker Johnson to bring the House back into session so that we can debate this war and restore Congress’s constitutional authorities to permanently end this war.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Don Bacon (2nd District of Nebraska)

Planetary Science Caucus Co-Chairs Bacon & Chu Issue Statement on White House’s Proposed Budget Cuts to NASA Science

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

Public deserves to see evidence of Trump’s obstruction in classified documents case

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. –  Congresswoman Haley Stevens (MI-11), along with Congressman Mike Turner (OH-10), Congresswoman Claudia Tenney (NY-24), and Congresswoman Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-8), introduced the Health Coverage Tax Credit Reauthorization Act of 2026, legislation to extend the Health Coverage Tax Credit through January 1, 2030. This legislation amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend the credit’s eligibility window and can apply to months beginning after December 31, 2021. 

“Michiganders who worked their entire lives deserve affordable, reliable health care in their retirement. The Health Coverage Tax Credit would be a lifeline for thousands of Michigan workers and retirees, including the Delphi Salaried Retirees, who lost their pensions through no fault of their own,” said Congresswoman Stevens. “I’m proud to support this bipartisan effort to lower costs and ensure retirees get the coverage they’ve earned, and I will keep fighting to restore their pensions in full and fulfill the promise of retirement for every American who earned it.”

“The Health Coverage Tax Credit has been critical for Delphi Salaried Retirees and other Americans whose pensions and benefits were reduced through no fault of their own,” said Congressman Turner. “These men and women deserve certainty, stability, and access to affordable health care. This legislation extends that support and helps ensure they are not left behind, and I will continue to fight for this until it is returned to them.”

“Through no fault of their own, thousands of Michigan Delphi retirees were robbed of the retirements they earned. They did everything right — worked hard, played by the rules, saved — and now that they are retired, they shouldn’t have to go back to work just to see a doctor,” said Congresswoman McDonald Rivet. “Extending the Health Coverage Tax Credit will go a long way toward lowering health care costs for thousands of retirees in Michigan at a time when they really need it.” 

“Too many hardworking Americans, including Delphi Salaried Retirees in NY-24, were left without affordable health coverage when the Health Coverage Tax Credit expired,” said Congresswoman Tenney. “These are individuals who played by the rules, only to see their pensions cut and their health care put at risk through no fault of their own. The HCTC has been a critical lifeline, covering a significant share of premium costs and providing stability during difficult transitions. Reauthorizing and extending this program ensures these workers and retirees are not left behind and can access the care they need while we continue working to deliver the full relief and fairness they deserve.”

The Health Coverage Tax Credit has helped eligible Americans maintain access to health care especially when faced with disruption and uncertainty. Reauthorizing this program will help preserve that support and give families greater confidence as they plan for the future. The Health Coverage Tax Credit Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the current deadline in federal law by replacing the prior cutoff with a new expiration date of January 1, 2030. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Biggs (AZ-05)

GILBERT, ARIZONA- Late last month, Congressman Andy Biggs co-led a letter to California Governor Gavin Newsom over “reports of widespread waste, fraud, and abuse in federally funded health care programs.” The letter was co-signed by Members of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, investigating alleged fraud within California’s hospice programs. 

In the letter, the House Oversight Members requested information about California’s oversight of the state’s hospice program with a deadline of this week for response. The Committee is working with California officials on producing documents and is committed to holding the state accountable for its failure to stop fraud. 

The inquiry highlights a March 2022 report from the California State Auditor, which showed that Los Angeles County “experienced a 1,500 percent increase in registered hospice providers since 2010 – more than six times the national average of hospice agencies relative to Los Angeles County’s senior population.” Despite this report and even the state’s attorney general describing this hospice fraud as “an epidemic,” California does not appear to have taken the issue seriously, as many red flags and warnings continue to appear throughout the health care industry.

“American taxpayers work extremely hard for their money, yet government agencies across America allow rampant misuse and abuse of these funds at alarming rates,” said Congressman Biggs.“Under Governor Newsom’s purview, rogue operators and organizations have exploited taxpayers for years with no end in sight. If California won’t end this dereliction of duty by state officials, then Congress will step in to protect unsuspecting men and women. We will not tolerate this shameless disregard of the duty of government to responsibly steward taxpayer dollars.”

Read the letter here.

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