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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) remembered the insurrection on January 6 five years ago, participating in an unofficial hearing held by Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and U.S. Rep. Bennie Thompson (MS-02), chairman of the former January 6 Select Committee. 

“I will never forget crawling on my hands and knees in the House gallery as I escaped violent insurrectionists five years ago. That day, brave Capitol Police Officers saved us from a dangerous mob,” said Rep. Kelly. “In an outrageous decision, President Trump pardoned January 6 insurrectionists. This president does not care for law and order or checks and balances, proven again when he unilaterally decided to force a regime change in Venezuela.

“We need to uphold democratic norms — and condemn anyone who tries to overtake our democracy, including the president. Congress’s job is to oversee the White House, not play second fiddle to a wannabe dictator. It’s beyond time for Republicans to grow a spine and work with us to create a government that works for all people.”

Watch the House Democrats hearing in its entirety here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Robin Kelly IL

CHICAGO – U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) condemned President Donald Trump’s attack on Venezuela in the following statement:

“Nicolás Maduro is an illegitimate ruler who oppressed the people of Venezuela. But President Trump’s unilateral decision to attempt a regime change in Venezuela is shortsighted and drags the U.S. into a reckless conflict that could destabilize the entire region. I demand a vote on the War Powers Resolution to stop President Trump from launching further military action without Congressional approval.

“The American people did not ask to be involved in another foreign conflict, but President Trump now wants to ‘run the country.’ The President needs to stop acting like a dictator and start improving the lives of Americans, including people who actually voted for him. That is how a democracy should work. But President Trump’s attack on Venezuela does nothing to lower the cost of living for Americans and does everything to enrich himself and his billionaire oil-executive friends. Our focus should be here at home, lowering costs of healthcare, housing, and groceries.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05)

Today, U.S. Representative Mike Quigley (IL-05), a member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on Trump’s attack on Venezuela:

“For months, Donald Trump has touted himself as the president for peace. Yet overnight, he committed a drastic act of war against Venezuela and has pledged that the United States will be ‘running’ Venezuela and is prepared to make additional strikes. The last thing the American people want is to be involved in another forever war. Maduro is a brutal dictator, but as a nation, we know that ousting a foreign ruler often makes things much worse. The people of Venezuela deserve to determine their own future — without foreign intervention.

“Trump’s actions are a blatant violation of U.S. and international law. He is desperate to distract the American people from his failing domestic policies and numerous scandals.

“I have called on Congress to reassert its Constitutional power with this administration for months. When Secretaries Hegseth and Rubio briefed Congress on military action against Venezuela, they blatantly lied about the administration’s intentions. Congress must demand that Trump receive Congressional authority before any additional actions in Venezuela. It is time to restore the authority of the Constitution.”

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

WASHINGTON — Speaker Johnson will travel to London to address the United Kingdom Parliament on Tuesday, January 20 in honor of America’s Semiquincentennial celebration. 

Speaker Johnson will be the first U.S. Speaker of the House to address Parliament. 

“As our nation commemorates the 250th anniversary of American Independence, I am honored and humbled by Speaker Hoyle’s invitation to address Parliament,” Speaker Johnson said, announcing the trip.

“The U.S. and the UK have stood together as pillars of peace and security across generations. We forged this important friendship in the great wars of the 20th century, but the true source of our strength comes from our shared commitment to individual freedom, human dignity, and the rule of law, which together form the exceptional, joint heritage of the English-speaking world.”

“As America begins its Semiquincentennial celebration, I will be happy to visit one of the great shrines of democracy itself, where the principles that launched the long struggle for American liberty were debated and refined.”

Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the UK House of Commons, said he was “honoured in this 250th anniversary year of American Independence to welcome Speaker Johnson to Parliament.”  

“Fifty years ago, my predecessor Speaker Thomas invited Speaker Albert of the U.S. House of Representatives to Speaker’s House to mark the 200th anniversary.”

“I am pleased to continue to mark this important occasion and acknowledge the enduring close relationship between our parliaments and people. Our UK Parliament is sited just miles away from where the cross-Atlantic relationship began more than 400 years ago. The courage of the Founding Fathers, who set sail on the Mayflower for the New World, built a bridge and connections across the Atlantic, which continues until today.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (15th District of Texas)

Contact: Alexis Torres

Washington, D.C.—Today, Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (TX-34) released the following statement:

“The world witnessed an extraordinary operation that was executed by our CIA and military. For that, I am grateful. However, any further military intervention by the United States must receive congressional authorization. 

“Since 2020, Nicolás Maduro has been under indictment by a Federal Court in the Southern District of New York—and it was important that he be brought to justice. Let this be a clear message of the United States’ commitment to combating narco-terrorism around the globe.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Aumua Amata (Western Samoa)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Uifa’atali Amata is honoring the life and memory of her friend, Congressman Doug LaMalfa, who served as Chairman of the Congressional Western Caucus. Congresswoman Amata worked with him as a Vice Chairman of the Caucus, and as colleagues in the House Natural Resources (HNR) Committee. In fact, Congressman LaMalfa and Congresswoman Amata shared both their HNR Subcommittee assignments, working together in Water, Wildlife, and Fisheries, as well as Indian and Insular Affairs.

“I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend, Chairman LaMalfa. He was elected one term before I was, so I’ve known him throughout my time in Congress. He faithfully represented the people of his large, agricultural district of inland Northern California. As a fourth-generation farmer, he was an excellent fit to lead the Western Caucus, which focuses on many key land and water issues, including our nation’s resources, forests, and wildlife. 

“Doug was a kind and genuine person, who held strong and patriotic beliefs, and was willing to work with colleagues wherever possible. The Washington Post once described him as ‘affable, approachable and pragmatic’ which is true, but he was also highly principled and willing to take a stand. He was a champion for our nation’s rural and remote places.

“It’s an honor to have known him and served with him. He served the people of his district well, and the whole of the United States through his dedication. His legacy includes upholding the American tradition of family farms and the importance of national food security. 

“He will be profoundly missed, but I take comfort that he was a man of faith in Christ, and a belief in God’s grace. My condolences to his family, loved ones, and constituents. May God bless and keep them in this time.”

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted. (Psalm 34:18)

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Frank Pallone (6th District of New Jersey)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06) today remembered the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the United States Capitol, and urged President Trump and Speaker Johnson to end their campaign of historical revisionism.

Pallone has long condemned efforts by Trump and House Republicans to misrepresent or diminish the significance of the attacks, arguing such efforts show flagrant disrespect for democracy, the rule of law, and the law enforcement officers who uphold them.

“Five years ago today, violent domestic terrorists attempted to silence the voice of the American people and prevent the representatives they elected to Congress from certifying the results of the 2020 election. The attacks on our rule of law have only continued,” said Pallone. “President Trump has subverted and ignored Congress time and time again. His attempts to rewrite the history of this shameful day—by downplaying its significance and pardoning its perpetrators—are an insult to the nearly 250 years of continuous representative democracy that this Administration claims to celebrate.”

“Lying about what happened and setting violent criminals free is an insult to the brave law enforcement officers who were injured or killed on that day,” Pallone continued. “This includes Officer Brian Sicknick, a son of Middlesex County, who laid down his life to protect democracy. Republicans claim to support ‘law and order,’ but they continue to betray law enforcement officers by handing out get-out-of-jail-free cards to the terrorists who assaulted them.”

“This half-decade of denial and hypocrisy must end now,” Pallone concluded. “Today, I stand with the families of the injured and deceased law enforcement heroes, and all Americans who seek to preserve our democracy, and call on Trump and Republicans to end their crusade against remembrance of the January 6th insurrection.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following yesterday’s briefing with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, and other officials on the Trump administration’s military action in Venezuela:

“I heard nothing yesterday to dispel my very serious concerns about the Trump administration’s attempted regime-change and nation-building exercise in Venezuela, nor leads me to trust that Trump and his administration are truly operating in the best interests of the American people.

“Donald Trump used U.S. military force to invade a sovereign nation without authorization from Congress. He did so not to address an imminent threat to the United States, nor to advance a democratic transition in Venezuela. Instead, the administration is embracing a dangerous worldview in which the United States can run roughshod over our hemisphere, mirroring the same logic Vladimir Putin uses to justify domination over his neighbors.

“Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate leader. But we are a country of laws, and this president’s blatant disregard for both domestic and international law is reckless and dangerous. Rather than addressing the Republican health care crisis and lowering costs for the American people, this administration is committing billions in taxpayer dollars to an open-ended foreign conflict.

“Critical questions remain on what happens next. Congress is not a spectator in matters of war. I will continue pressing for public hearings, transparency and meaningful oversight to reassert Congress’s constitutional role and prevent further escalation and instability.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, issued a statement following the Trump administration’s military action in Venezuela: 

“Let’s be clear. Nicolas Maduro is an illegitimate leader. But using the U.S. military to attempt regime change in a sovereign foreign nation, without approval from Congress, without a defined objective or plan for the day after, and without support from our allies, risks entangling the United States in an open-ended conflict in Venezuela that could destabilize the entire region. This action is also a violation of international law and further undermines America’s global standing.

“Congress must reassert its constitutional role before this escalation leads to greater instability, chaos, and unnecessary risk to American lives.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Gregory W Meeks (5th District of New York)

Washington, D.C. – Representative Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, today sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressing concern over the State Department’s mismanagement of key fellowship programs critical to recruiting and retaining the next generation of America’s foreign policy workforce. In the letter, Meeks highlights ongoing problems affecting the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, Foreign Affairs Information Technology Fellowship (FAIT), William D. Clarke Sr. Diplomatic Security Fellowship, Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship, and Veterans Innovation Partnership Fellowship (VIP). The programs have long served as pipelines for diverse, highly qualified public servants.

The recently signed National Defense Authorization Act included language from Ranking Member Meeks reauthorizing the Pickering, Rangel, Payne, and VIP fellowships. Meeks’ letter questions why, despite clear congressional authorization, the Department continues to introduce uncertainty, delays, and changes that threaten the integrity and viability of these fellowships.

Read the letter in full here. An excerpt is below.

“Confusion around the fate of these programs and the firing of staff who manage them threatens to erode confidence in federal hiring pathways and weakens America’s long-term diplomatic capacity. Congress recently authorized the Pickering, Rangel, Payne, and VIP fellowships on a bipartisan basis in the National Defense Authorization Act, signaling continued support from Congress for these vital programs. These fellowships are not peripheral initiatives—they are essential national security programs that sustain America’s diplomatic readiness and bolster our credibility abroad… 

“The State Department congressional notification that was transmitted to Congress in May about your proposed reorganization did not indicate any significant change to these fellowship programs or the office that administers them. Yet, your reduction-in-force (RIF) carried out in July included terminating the dedicated public servants in Global Talent Management’s Recruitment Office who administered these fellowships. These changes have led to severe consequences. Graduate school funding for tuition and stipends have been disrupted, internship placements have been delayed, and the onboarding timelines for incoming Foreign Service Officers (FSOs) have been thrown into uncertainty. Additionally, Pickering and Rangel Fellows are being told to retake the Foreign Service Officer Test, which they have previously passed. These actions potentially breach the written agreements between the Department and the fellows regarding their academic requirements and their onboarding into the State Department. 

“Further, there appears to have been little to no transition planning before these changes went into effect. The staff who managed these programs before their separation were required to undergo training and be certified to administer the funds for these programs. Now, it is my understanding that these responsibilities are being carried out by contractors. This raises questions on whether the fellowship programs are being carried out in potential violation of federal requirements that limit certain types of work to full-time federal employees as well as those who possess the necessary financial management certification. The Department’s actions could jeopardize multimillion-dollar cooperative agreements, merit-system protections, and contractual service obligations owed to the U.S. government.”