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

WASHINGTON — This afternoon, Speaker Johnson, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries hosted the third annual Capitol Menorah Lighting Ceremony to commemorate upcoming the eight-day festival of Hanukkah. Reps. Craig Goldman and Randy Fine and Rabbi Levi Shemtov joined Congressional leaders at the ceremony.

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here.

Below are Speaker Johnson’s remarks as delivered:

This is a special time of year, and we like to do this. We enjoy this because we gather here in the People’s House to celebrate our fellow Americans of all faiths. And this is an important one.

The Festival of Hanukkah, at its heart, is a celebration of course, of courage of the Jewish people’s steadfast defense of their faith over centuries of persecution. And we don’t ever forget that.

It was more than 2,000 years ago in the ancient land of Israel; the Jewish people were denied the most basic freedom to pray and to express their faith in the holiest of places. And it was then that a fearless patriot, known as Judah Maccabee, led a small band of brothers to reclaim the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

When the temple was restored, the menorah’s oil that should have lasted only one day, burned instead for eight miraculous days. I’m telling you this story as if Rabbi Shemtov didn’t cover it already, but for those who are tuning in late, this is the history.

It’s during Hanukkah that the Jewish people celebrate and commemorate this miracle by lighting the menorah each year. Today, that same light will shine here in the People’s House. And that’s what is important. It shines as a symbol of the resilience and the perseverance, the eternal hope of the Jewish people.

I don’t know if it was explained the significance of this particular menorah. Well, it was a gift to us, and it is made of the steel that came off of the bombs that were shot down over Israel, the missiles that the Iron Dome was taken down. So, it’s particularly meaningful and a poignant reminder of just what we’re talking about, the perseverance of the Jewish people over all these years.

And as we light the menorah, we’re grateful for the many freedoms we enjoy as Americans, and among them, the freedom to worship freely and without fear of persecution and injustice.

Yesterday, I entertained Speaker Ohana, my counterpart of the Israeli Knesset. He was in town, as many of you know, some of y’all met with him. He’s become a good friend and a colleague. And he was here because we jointly signed a letter to nominate our president, President Trump, for the next Nobel Peace Prize in 2026.

And it was Speaker Ohana’s idea, because he thought that this was an appropriate thing, having settled now eight conflicts and bloody wars conflicts around the world, that he and I would be co-signatories on this and that we would ask all of our colleagues, the other speakers and presidents of the great parliaments around the world to join us in that.

So, it’d be a joint nomination of the President of the United States for the Nobel Peace Prize. I think it’s very appropriate. I thanked him for that. We had a joint signing ceremony. But we exchanged gifts. And he gave to me a ninth-century clay pot. It was actually for oil. Priceless. I didn’t want to touch it. I said, everybody can stand away from that. It came from, I think the First Temple is what he told me, and it’s an incredible piece of history as a gift.

And what I gave to him in exchange, was a copy of the father of our country’s letter to the Hebrew Congregation that he wrote in 1790. The Jewish leaders there had had written to him, and they had concern about their protection in the United States in this new country of ours. And they asked the president of our country, would their religious freedom be respected?

And the president of our country, the father of our country, George Washington, said in his own hand, his own words, he said this is a natural right, that you are given this right by God, not by government, and the United States will jealously protect that. The right of every single person to have the religious liberty, the first freedom we call it, to worship and to live as you please.

And that’s has always been a part of our tradition. And we recognize that here. This cherished tradition is an ideal articulated in our earliest days as a young nation. And that’s what comes to mind when we do these things together.

I just want to say that we take heart in knowing that even in the face of generations of bigotry, bondage, persecution, and exile, the Jewish people have endured, and they have flourished. And that at its very essence is what we celebrate today.

That the light of faith and love and courage and conviction will always guide us on the path to brighter days ahead. We’re so very grateful to everybody here for joining us to celebrate the miracle of Hanukkah. May your candles burn bright this season, and may God bless you all. Thank you.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Earl L Buddy Carter (GA-01)

Headline: Carter introduces bill awarding Congressional Gold Medal to the fallen patriots of Thiokol

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA) today introduced the Thiokol Memorial Gold Medal Act, a bill awarding the Congressional Gold Medal to the Thiokol Memorial Museum in honor of the 30 fallen patriots of Thiokol.

On February 3, 1971, the Thiokol plant in Woodbine, Georgia, which manufactured trip flares during the Vietnam War, suffered a catastrophic explosion killing 29 people and injuring 50 others, many of whom were African American women. In a separate tragedy in May 1973, another worker who served two tours in Vietnam died in a mortar shell explosion at the same facility.

“These 30 men and women were unsung heroes of the Vietnam War, dying in service to their country. The tragedy at Thiokol claimed too many innocent lives too soon, and it is our responsibility to keep their memories alive. By awarding the fallen a Congressional Gold Medal, we are honoring their legacy, thanking them for their patriotic service, and remembering those who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms,” said Rep. Carter.                  

“I extend my sincere appreciation to Congressman Carter for his support in advancing this legislation. Honoring the sacrifices of these patriots ensures that the voices of the fallen, their families, and our community are recognized at the highest levels,” said Jannie Everette, CEO/President of the Thiokol Memorial Project.

Original co-sponsors of this bill include: Reps. Rich McCormick (R-GA), Sanford Bishop (D-GA), and Lucy McBath (D-GA).

The fallen patriots of Thiokol are:

1. Celia A. Alberta — Woodbine, GA
2. Ethel L. Banks — Woodbine, GA
3. Annie C. Booth — Kingsland, GA
4. Gloria W. Booth — Kingsland, GA
5. Bertha Walker Brunswick — Woodbine, GA
6. Bettie Dawson Burch — Kingsland, GA
7. Charles Burch — Kingsland, GA
8. James L. Chapman — Marshall, TX
9. Yvonne Marie Connelly — Kingsland, GA
10. Jack Cox — Longview, TX
11. Mae Hazel Davis — St. Marys, GA
12. Mildred Davis — Blackshear, GA
13. Howard Ellis, Sr. — Woodbine, GA
14. Willie Mae Austell-Fuller — Kingsland, GA
15. Pearlie Mae Young-Hutchinson — White Oak, GA
16. Annie Mae Hutchinson-James — Woodbine, GA
17. Mack Kennedy — White Oak, GA
18. Essie Diana Green-King — Kingsland, GA
19. Gracie Mae Small-Life — White Oak, GA
20. Bertha Mae Hill — Woodbine, GA
21. Charles T. Monak — Montgomery, AL
22. James Parland — Woodbine, GA
23. Sandra Regina Rauls — Kingsland, GA
24. Cyrus Emory Roberson — Nahunta, GA
25. Betty Jean Roberts — Yulee, FL
26. Lillie Bell Spells — St. Marys, GA
27. Cheryl N. Sullivan — Woodbine, GA
28. Mae Alice Taylor — Yulee, FL
29. Annie Loise Williams — St. Marys, GA
30. Joseph Eugene Wainwright — White Oak, GA

Read the full bill text here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bob Latta (R-Bowling Green Ohio)

Today, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) re-introduced the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act, a bill to expand access to health savings accounts (HSAs) and fix a technicality prohibiting individuals who are receiving social security benefits from contributing to their HSA accounts. Congresswomen Stephanie Bice (OK-5) and Ashley Hinson (IA-2) are co-sponsors of this legislation.  

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) allow individuals to make tax-advantaged contributions and use the funds for qualified medical expenses. To contribute to an HSA, an individual must be enrolled in a High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP). Under current law, once an individual begins collecting Social Security benefits, they are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A, which disqualifies them from making further contributions to an HSA. This bill would allow individuals enrolled only in Medicare Part A to continue contributing to an HSA.

“Seniors deserve the flexibility to keep saving for both their current and long-term health care needs. Right now, many seniors who are still working and enrolled in Medicare Part A are unfairly prevented from contributing to their Health Savings Accounts. This needless restriction reduces their health care choices. That’s why I introduced the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act, to give seniors the freedom to plan for and afford the care they need,” Latta said.  

“I am proud to once again be an original cosponsor of Congressman Latta’s legislation, the Stop Penalizing Working Seniors Act. This bill broadens eligibility for Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and addresses a technical issue that prevents people receiving Social Security benefits from adding to their HSAs. I will continue to support legislation which provides relief for those living on fixed incomes,” Bice said.  

“Under current law, some seniors are unable to contribute to, or use, HSAs simply because they have chosen to remain in the workforce. This legislation fixes this technicality that unfairly punishes seniors who wish to use HSAs. I’ll continue working to lower costs and increase health care options for Iowans, especially our seniors,” Hinson said.  

NOTE: Congressman Latta first introduced this legislation during the 116th Congress after hearing directly from constituents impacted by the issue. He has since reintroduced the bill in the 117th and 118th Congresses.  

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

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Rick Larsen (WA-02), Kim Schrier, MD (WA-08), Marilyn Strickland (WA-10), Emily Randall (WA-06), Adam Smith (WA-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) called on BP to answer questions surrounding the November leak of the Olympic Pipeline in Snohomish County.

The leak released a reported 2,300 gallons of fuel into Snohomish County waterways and soil, and temporarily cut off fuel delivery to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport for nearly two weeks, causing flight disruptions.  

“While we are relieved that the pipeline is now operational, this malfunction jeopardized airline operations, farmlands, water safety, wildlife habitat, and public health. Further, we are concerned because this spill is part of a decades-long history of spills and ruptures in the Olympic Pipeline,” the lawmakers wrote in a letter to BP North America CEO Murray Auchincloss.

BP has agreed to brief the lawmakers on the leak and its impact on the region. The lawmakers outlined several outstanding questions they would like addressed and answered in writing by January 8, 2026:

1.     What volume of refined products did the November 11, 2025 leak release?

2.     What efforts are BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline undertaking to determine the full extent of refined products that may have leaked into surrounding water sources or soil?

3.     Provide an outline of BP’s plan to remediate any contamination, including the timeline for these activities and an assessment of local businesses or residences impacted.

4.     Do you commit to timely public disclosure of all spill data, such as volume, location, environmental sampling results, and remediation efforts, for review by public and relevant state and local agencies? If so, what is your projected timeline for this information disclosure?

5.     Provide a complete list of spills and volume spilled since November 25, 2005 from any pipelines owned by BP in Washington State.

6.     What corrective measures will BP North America and the Olympic Pipeline take to reduce future spill risk?

7.     Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to determine the cause of the leak and make any necessary corrective actions?

8.     Do you commit to fully cooperating with the Washington Department of Ecology for assessment of the extent of the spill as well as all clean-up operations?

9.     The Washington Department of Ecology issued a $3.8 million fine for the 2023 Olympic Pipeline leak in Conway, WA. Following that leak, how did BP update its monitoring and maintenance practices?

10.  Since the 2023 leak in Conway, has BP found any other leaks along the Olympic pipeline? Is there a connection between the 2023 leak in Conway, or any subsequent leaks, and this one?

11.  Governor Ferguson’s emergency declaration following the shutdown of the Olympic Pipeline highlights the need to develop further emergency plans to service airline operation needs in the event of future fuel incidents. Do you commit to working with the state and relevant transit authorities to address emergency planning needs?

“Given the history of the Olympic Pipeline, Washington residents must have confidence that BP is treating this most recent leak with all due seriousness. The Olympic Pipeline is an essential piece of infrastructure to our region. We hope you share our goal of ensuring that it is also reliable and secure for the sake of the Pacific Northwest’s residents and environment,” the lawmakers continued.

There have already been three significant incidents with the pipeline since 2023, and this leak could be the fourth if it meets federal criteria. This includes the December 2023 leak near Conway for which BP was recently fined $3.8 million by Washington state.

A copy of the letter can be found here. 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Reprepsentative Kathy Castor (FL14)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Reps. Kathy Castor (D-FL), Don Bacon (R-NE) and Kim Schrier, M.D. (D-WA) reintroduced the bipartisan Promoting Resources to Expand Vaccination, Education and New Treatments for HPV Cancers Act (“PREVENT HPV Cancers Act”) to prevent cancer and save lives by raising awareness about HPV and HPV-associated cancers through a national education campaign for health care providers, parents, and the public on the life-saving HPV immunization. The bill also would strengthen efforts to expand access to timely cervical cancer screening and diagnostic services for uninsured and underserved individuals.

“HPV immunization can prevent six types of cancer, and boosting immunization rates and raising public awareness can save tens of thousands of lives from preventable cancer deaths each year,” said Rep. Castor. “I’m proud to reintroduce the bipartisan PREVENT HPV Cancers Act with Reps. Bacon and Schrier to ensure Americans across the country have the information and access they need to protect themselves from HPV and HPV-associated cancers through immunizations and cancer screenings. I’m grateful to my friends back home at the Moffitt Cancer Center for bringing health experts and advocates together around the shared goal of eliminating HPV-associated cancers once and for all.”

“As someone who lost their sister to breast cancer, and have known other women affected by HPV cancers, I can’t stress more the need for education, awareness and testing to lower the rates of these cancers,” said Rep. Bacon. “The loss for family and friends as they lose someone affected is devastating, and many times early detection may have prevented that loss. This bill will help spread the word and make sure more patients can be tested early. I am thankful to have been asked by Rep. Castor to join this bill.”

“As a pediatrician, I know that immunizations are one of our best tools for helping kids stay healthy,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “They are safe and effective, and they work best when there is widespread use. This bill will help spread awareness about the HPV vaccine, and I’m happy to co-lead it with my friend and colleague Representative Castor. The more people who know about this cancer-preventing shot, the more people we can protect from preventable cancers.”

Full text of the legislation is available here.

The human papillomavirus (HPV) causes six types of cancers, leading to approximately 39,000 cases of cancer each year in the United States, including cervical, anal, vaginal, vulvar, penile, and oropharynx cancers. Unfortunately, uptake rates are much lower than for other immunizations, with only 63% of adolescents aged 13-17 up to date with their HPV immunization.  

119th Endorsing Organizations: Alliance for Childhood Cancer; American Academy of Pediatrics; American Association for Cancer Research; American Association of Nurse Practitioners; American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network; American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; American Dental Association; Anal Cancer Foundation; Association for Clinical Oncology; Association of American Cancer Institutes; Alliance for Women’s Health and Prevention; Cervivor, Inc.; Children’s Hospital Association; City of Hope; Dana-Farber Cancer Institute; Florida Association of Community Health Centers; Friends of Cancer Research; Global Initiative Against HPV and Cervical Cancer; Head and Neck Cancer Alliance; HealthyWoman; Healthy Men Inc.; HPVANDME; HPV Cancers Alliance; Immunize Colorado; MA HPV Coalition; March of Dimes; Moffitt Cancer Center; National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners; National Comprehensive Cancer Network; National Consumers League; National League for Nursing; Oncology Nursing Society; Oregon Prevention Alliance; Prevent Cancer Foundation; Society for Gynecologic Oncology; Team Maureen; The Susan Jolley Foundation; TogetHER for Health; Vaccinate Your Family; VAX 2 STOP CANCER.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Salud Carbajal (CA-24)

This week, the House of Representatives passed U.S. Representative Salud Carbajal’s (D-CA-24) legislation to rename a post office in Goleta for Frederick Lopez, a retired Brigadier General in the U.S. Marine Corps with a 30-year career of distinguished service. The bill now goes to the U.S. Senate for consideration.

“General Lopez represents the best of the Central Coast and of our nation’s armed forces,” said Rep. Carbajal. “I’m proud that the House has voted to honor his legacy by renaming the South Patterson Avenue Post Office in Goleta in his name, ensuring that future generations will be reminded of his extraordinary contributions to our community and our country.”

“I sincerely appreciate the efforts of Congressman Carbajal in drafting and sponsoring this bill renaming the Patterson Post Office. And I appreciate and thank all those members of Congress who approved this bill going forward. I am deeply honored to have my name on the bill,” said Brigadier General Frederick R. Lopez, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve (ret.).

General Lopez, a Santa Barbara County native, joined the U.S. Marine Corps in 1967 following his graduation from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. His service as a platoon commander during the Vietnam War earned him a Bronze Star and Combat Action Ribbon.

Over his three decades as a Marine, General Lopez also earned a Distinguished Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and other decorations prior to his retirement in 1998.

In retirement, General Lopez has continued to advocate for his fellow veterans as an active member of the Military Order Of The World Wars – including as its former Commander in Chief – and other veterans groups.

In November 2024, Carbajal, a Marine Corps veteran himself, joined General Lopez, his family and friends, and representatives from Central Coast veterans organizations at the Santa Barbara Veterans’ Memorial Building to announce the post office renaming effort. 

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

WASHINGTON — This morning, at the weekly House Republican Leadership press conference, Speaker Johnson discussed Republican efforts to fix the Democrats’ broken health care system and addressed their refusal to support cost sharing reductions – included in the House-passed version of the Working Families Tax Cuts – reforms Democrats used to support that would have lowered health care premiums by 12% for all Americans.  

“Every American watching today should remember that the Democrats had a chance to actually lower your premiums six months ago, and they refuse because they wanted to keep health care as a political football,” Speaker Johnson said. “They do not want a solution. They want an issue.”

Watch Speaker Johnson’s full remarks here

On Republican efforts to fix Democrats broken health care system:

The Democrats had a chance to vote to make life more affordable earlier this year, in the Working Families Tax Cuts, big beautiful bill, and they blew it. The House version of the bill, you may remember, included cost sharing reductions. We passed that out of the House; we sent it to the Senate. And what that would’ve done is would’ve lowered premiums for the average American family by over 12%. Democrats fought to strip that out of the bill. Every American watching today should remember that the Democrats had a chance to actually lower your premium six months ago and they refused because they wanted to keep health care as a political football. They do not want a solution. They want an issue. That’s what this is about. They use the American taxpayers – they admitted themselves during the longest shutdown in US History a few weeks back – as leverage in this cynical political game.

In the coming days, what you’re going to see is the other party, the Republican Party, continuing to do the important work that we’ve already begun to actually lower the cost of health care and reduce fraud. And we hope Democrats will join us in those efforts. The Republican Party, on the other hand, is already demonstrating that we know how to do this. We’re not just talking about it. We’ve done it in the Working Families Tax Cuts, you’ll remember in the Medicaid reforms, we went after program integrity. We didn’t change the substance of Medicaid as they claim falsely. We went to program integrity. Why? Because we owed that to the American taxpayers. We got ineligible recipients off of Medicaid, and we cut out the fraud and abuse. And the CBO said, they’ve calculated it, it saved $185 billion for American taxpayers and reduced premiums. We reformed it to strengthen Medicaid. Those same principles are going to guide us in the months, weeks, and days forward. As Leader Scalise noted, we have some low hanging fruit, we have some things that every Republican agrees to. Democrats won’t, remember. They don’t actually want to fix this problem. But you’re going to see a package come together that’ll be on the floor next week. That will actually reduce premiums for 100% of Americans who were on health insurance, not just the 7%. Remember, the COVID-era subsidy only covers 7% of Americans, and it was passed and extended without any reforms at all. It would only reduce their premiums by 4%. They’re using that as a red herring. The overall system is broken, and we’re the ones that are going to fix it. You will see that laid out.

On Democrats blaming Republicans for four failed years of the Biden Administration:

Remember, we inherited massive inflation from the previous administration. It’s no secret that affordability is the flashpoint, right, in recent weeks. We had four catastrophic years of Bidenomics that we inherited. The Biden Administration spent like drunken sailors, and they attempted to tax and regulate their way to prosperity. And we all knew when they were doing it, it would not work. It had exactly the opposite effect. The result was inflation skyrocketed, gas prices reached record highs, home ownership declined, credit card debt increased. All those things that everybody felt, and they’re still feeling now. Now, the American people gave us a mandate in the election. The President won the electoral college soundly. He won a big majority, the popular vote, and we got the highest vote total for House Republicans in the history of this institution. And they charged us to go fix this. We began that process with the big beautiful bill, and we have never let up on the accelerator, to keep it going day by day, week by week, notching away at this, trying to fix everything that the previous team broke. Now, I wish we could flip a switch right after the election and make it all go away, make it all right, but you know, that’s not how the economy works. It takes some time to implement new policies and root out the bad things, and that’s what’s happening.

It’s a fact that the Biden Administration and their Democrat enablers in Congress, we cannot forget, wrecked the US economy. That’s what happened. And we had to take it over in January. This is why Democrats’ newfound claims about affordability are just patently absurd. Here are the facts. And you know, many of you don’t write about it, but these are the facts. They’re undisputed. They broke the economy, and now they want to lecture to the American people about affordability. They opened our borders, and now they want to lecture to the American people about immigration and border enforcement. They broke the American health care system, they caused premiums to skyrocket, and now they have the audacity to tell Republicans that the only way to save it is to throw hundreds of billions of dollars to health insurance companies, which would merely fuel a system that is rife with fraud, waste, and abuse. You cannot be an arsonist and a firefighter at the same time. That’s the message for the Democrats.

On Democrats’ health care plan and their refusal to address waste, fraud, and abuse:

Let’s be very clear about one thing. When the Democrats talk about health care affordability, they are talking about one thing and one thing only: they are talking about continuing handouts to big insurance companies. They have no ideas; they have no desire to fix the broken system they’ve created. They just want to subsidize it. And subsidy is a big word. It means they’re taking taxpayer dollars and funding a broken system – that is their entire affordability agenda in a nutshell. This agenda does not lower health care costs. All it does is hide the cost of the failed law, which we assume is the point. And their proposal, which is a three-year extension of these enhanced subsidies, the Democrat COVID subsidies that they created, that they put the expiration date on for this December, that proposal to extend that for three years is devoid of any reforms to clamp down on the rampant waste, fraud, and abuse. And, it continues to provide taxpayers subsidized health care to Americans who are making hundreds of thousands of dollars in annual salary.

The Democrats broke America’s health care system when they gave us the Unaffordable Care Act, Obamacare, 15 years ago. Remember all the promises? I mean, some of y’all were here. The average premium, the average family’s going to go down $2,500 a year. You’re going to be able to keep your doctor, you’re going to love this system. But none of that was true. In fact, it’s the opposite. And premiums have risen because they broke the system, dramatically, over that time in some areas, as much as 70% and some over 90%. And those things are still on a trajectory to rise further now.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Barry Loudermilk (R-GA)

Washington, D.C. (December 10, 2025) | – Rep. Barry Loudermilk (GA-11) issued the following statement announcing the winners of the 2025 Congressional App Challenge for Georgia’s 11th Congressional District. The competition is designed for students who aspire to learn computer coding and may have an interest in the STEM fields. Wheeler High School student, Aarav Balaji won first place with his CognifyAI App.

“te ouAs medical science continues to advance rapidly, it is vital that the products of this innovation remain accessible to all who need them. The App Challenge winners in my district recognized this and used this Challenge to display creative ways to address this issue. Contests like this serve as an incredible way for students to use their critical thinking skills to address the challenges of today, and to present unique solutions through technology. The talent of the students in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District continues to inspire, and I am proud to know that there are exceptional young people pursuing their interests in the fields of technology. I appreciate all who participated in this challenge and congratulate our winners.”

The Congressional App Challenge is a nonpartisan Initiative that encourages students’ interest in computer science, coding, or careers in STEM fields. Established in 2013 as a result of the Academic Competition Resolution passed by Congress, it has increased Congressional dialogue on the subjects of computer science and coding by about two thousand percent. Students can compete individually or in groups of up to four, and are tasked with designing an application (app) of their choosing. Each winning app is featured in the U.S. Capitol, and on the House of Representatives official website (House.gov), which has ten million visitors per year.

11th Congressional District – 2025 Congressional App Challenge Winners

1st Place
Aarav Balaji
App: CognifyAI
School: Wheeler High School

2nd Place
Aaditya Kulkarni
App: KnowYourMeds
School: Walton High School

3rd Place
Vidya Sinah
App: TrueHue
School: Wheeler High School

App Backgrounds

CognigyAI
Addresses the challenge of early-identification of cognitive decline by integrating structured cognitive assessments and machine-learning concepts.

KnowYourMeds
Assists with medication safety and comprehension by interpreting essential information on medication.

TrueHue
Assists those with color blindness by providing more in-depth processing and analysis of color than standard methods.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Norma Torres (35th District of California)

December 10, 2025

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Norma J. Torres (CA-35) and Congressman John Rutherford (FL-05) introduced the Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act, bipartisan legislation to provide federal funding to support, expand, and create Blue Envelope Programs across the country. Blue Envelope programs help improve communications and interactions between law enforcement and public safety personnel and individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), or other features that may affect communication with first responders.

Blue Envelope Programs provide individuals with a clearly identifiable envelope that can hold their driver’s license, vehicle registration, emergency contacts, and other helpful information, helping first responders understand a driver’s needs during traffic stops and other encounters. Programs can also provide individuals with other Blue Envelope-branded items (i.e. lanyards, pins, and seatbelt covers) to help facilitate improved interactions.

In California’s 35^th Congressional District, the Inland Regional Center, Autism Society Inland Empire, and San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department partnered to launch the San Bernardino County Blue Envelope Program, which has been adopted by numerous police departments in the region. Similar programs exist in 29 States nationwide: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, and Virginia.

“The Inland Empire’s Blue Envelope Programs have been a success, and this bipartisan bill would support and expand similar programs across the country. For individuals with Autism, developmental disabilities, or other communication challenges, encounters with law enforcement and other first responders can be confusing or overwhelming, and Blue Envelope Programs helps foster positive and safer interactions,” said Rep. Norma Torres. “I’m proud to partner with Congressman Rutherford on this legislation to help provide law enforcement and community members the tools, resources, and training needed to launch and run Blue Envelope Programs across the country.”

“As a former sheriff and lifelong law enforcement officer, I believe nothing is more important than the safety and security of all members of our community,” said Rutherford. “That includes individuals with Autism spectrum disorder (ASD), Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD), and others who may face communication challenges when interacting with law enforcement officers and first responders. To keep members of the autistic community safe, it is important that officers have the tools they need to reduce misunderstandings that can arise from differences in communication. That is why I am proud to introduce bipartisan legislation with Representative Torres to support blue envelope programs nationwide to help improve communication and safety for all.”

“This program demonstrates what is possible when law enforcement, families, and community partners come together with a shared purpose. The Blue Envelope initiative gives our deputies practical tools to better support individuals with developmental disabilities and create safer, more effective interactions. I commend Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Rutherford — himself a former sheriff — for championing federal support so more communities across the nation can benefit from this model.” – San Bernardino County Sheriff Shannon Dicus

“For too long, individuals with I/DD, autism, and those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing have faced unnecessary risks during law enforcement encounters. The Blue Envelope Program equips officers with practical tools and provides drivers with reassurance—protecting individual rights without compromising officer safety. This legislation strengthens trust, builds collaboration, and creates safer interactions for the communities we all serve.” – Dr. CJ Cook, Program Administrator, Inland Regional Center

“The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act recognizes what families like ours have known for years — that improving communication can save lives. By investing in person-centered, trauma-informed training for law enforcement and providing practical tools to individuals with disabilities affected by communication challenges — including blue envelopes, decals, and other communication supports — this legislation helps ensure safer, more respectful interactions for individuals with autism and other developmental disabilities. We are proud to support this bipartisan effort that strengthens community partnerships and expands a program proven to make a meaningful difference.” – Beth Burt, Executive Director, Autism Society Inland Empire

“The Major County Sheriffs of America (MCSA) is grateful to Representatives Torres and Rutherford for championing this legislation. Blue Envelope Programs provide officers and families with practical tools that build trust, improve communication, and support safer outcomes for individuals with autism and other developmental or communication differences. We stand ready to support efforts to advance this critical legislation.” – Megan Noland, Executive Director, MCSA

“The Blue Envelope Program has been a game changer for our department. It has given us a tangible way to connect with individuals who have I/DD or who may be DHH. This program not only improves communication during critical encounters but also strengthens our outreach to underserved members of the community, ensuring they know we are here to protect and serve them with respect and understanding.” – Sgt. Nathan Weiske of the Fontana Police Department

“When law enforcement officers encounter individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (I/DD) during traffic stops or other encounters, they may not always realize they are dealing with a person with such disabilities. In these cases, these individuals would be able to physically present a blue envelope to an officer, making them aware and better positioned to handle the situation in a safe and appropriate manner since the individual may have differing needs than typically expected.” – Patrick Yoes, National President o the Fraternal Order of Police

“We greatly appreciate Representatives Torres and Rutherford for their leadership in introducing the Blue Envelope Program legislation, which will improve communications between law enforcement and people with communication barriers, including people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Finding new ways to improve interactions with law enforcement or safety personnel is so important to avoid confusion or unintended consequences due to communication barriers.” – Ted Thompson, Senior Vice President of Government Relations, Easterseals

“As someone living with Parkinson’s and working with a community of people with brain disorders, I know how easily communication and movement symptoms can be misread in high-stress encounters with law enforcement. The Blue Envelope Programs Act is a practical, person-centered way to make those encounters safer, more respectful, and less traumatic for everyone. By investing in training, tools, and trauma-informed practices, this bill recognizes that people with autism, developmental and cognitive disabilities, and neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson’s deserve not just protection, but dignity and understanding in every interaction.” – Larry Gifford, President of PD Avengers

“I strongly support this investment in Blue Envelope programs because it enhances communication, strengthens trust, and improves safety for individuals with autism and other developmental or communication challenges. This program equips officers with critical, potentially life-saving information while giving families greater peace of mind and confidence in law enforcement. I commend Congresswoman Norma Torres and Congressman John Rutherford for their leadership and commitment to advancing this important issue at the federal level.” – Chino PD Chief Kevin Mensen.

“Too many people with intellectual and developmental disabilities have been harmed or killed in encounters with law enforcement because their disability was mistaken for defiance or danger. A blue envelope may change the trajectory of an interaction in seconds, giving officers context and understanding. The Arc has been deeply involved in criminal justice work for over a decade and we’re grateful for this much-needed bipartisan step that can save lives.” – Katy Neas, CEO of The Arc of the United States

“Effective communication between Autistic individuals and first responders is essential to safety and well-being. By ensuring Autism experts help design and deliver this training, including the use of blue envelopes, this legislation strengthens community trust and promotes safer, more inclusive emergency responses nationwide.” – Joseph Joyce, CEO and President of the Autism Society of America

“I hear from autistic drivers all the time about the anxiety they carry into traffic stops — the fear that they won’t be understood,” said Keith Wargo, President & CEO of Autism Speaks. “Blue Envelope programs give drivers a simple yet effective way to communicate their needs, and they give officers the tools to respond with confidence and respect. We are grateful to Congresswoman Torres and Congressman Rutherford for championing this bipartisan effort. By prioritizing community-centered training and implementation of Blue Envelope initiatives nationwide, this bill expands access to a model that empowers autistic people to navigate traffic encounters on their own terms and ensure that a routine traffic stop stays just that routine.”

“I fully support the Blue Envelope Program. I recently met a young man who introduced himself at a community event. He mentioned he was on the spectrum and told me all about the Blue Envelope he was holding. He was advocating for the program locally, and I could tell he felt it would help him navigate contacts with law enforcement successfully; it was essential to him. I think the Blue Envelope will help foster safe interactions with law enforcement in the future, especially with increased awareness among law enforcement officers nationwide. This bill will help make that a reality.” Chief Michael Ellis – Pomona PD, CA

“As policing professionals, our job is to engage with every member of our community with understanding, safety, and respect. This legislation provides practical tools to enhance communication with individuals on the IDD spectrum and strengthens the trust that is essential to effective policing.” David B. Rausch, President, International Association of Chiefs of Police

Blue envelope-style programs foster safer and more compassionate interactions between law enforcement and community members. When officers are educated and empowered to respond to Blue Envelope prompts, they can adjust their approach to meet the individual’s needs, ultimately building trust, empathy, and collaboration with community members.” – Khrystle Lotfizadeh, Clinical Director of IDEA, Easterseals Southern California Autism Services

“Introduction of the Blue Envelope Programs Act is a critical step toward safer, more informed interactions between first responders and people living with Parkinson’s disease, as well as those living with other cognitive disorders that make communication difficult,” said Leslie A. Chambers, President & CEO of the American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA). “The Blue Envelope program will enable APDA to broaden its first responder education initiatives, helping to reduce misunderstandings, accelerate response times, and enhance the overall quality of emergency care. Importantly, it also promotes dignity and ensures that every interaction is grounded in awareness and compassion.”

“Giving officers the tools and training needed to safely interact with individuals with Autism and other disabilities is essential to building the trust that is core to effective community policing,” said Brian R. Marvel, President of the Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC). “We’re grateful to Representatives Torres and Rutherford for championing this legislation which will provide the resources necessary for more states and local agencies to adopt these proven Blue Envelope Programs.”

“The San Diego County Sheriff Kelly Martinez thank Representatives Norma Torres and John Rutherford for advancing bipartisan legislation supporting the Blue Envelope Program. The San Diego Sheriff’s Office was at the forefront of establishing program standards and framework through strong community collaboration, and we’re proud to see this model embraced nationally. This legislation strengthens a tool valued by both our community and our deputies, helping ensure safer, clearer, and more understanding interactions for individuals with autism and intellectual and developmental disabilities.”

The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act will:

• Authorize grants for law enforcement agencies to create, expand, and improve Blue Envelope Programs, in partnership with nonprofits that provide services and resources for individuals with ASD, I/DD, or other features that may cause communication barriers;
• Provide training and resources for law enforcement, in addition to voluntary training for members of the public;.
• Protect the privacy of participants by not allowing a registration component;
• Prioritize programs that are built to last, involve multiple law enforcement agencies, and involve experienced community partners with direct links to participants and their families.

The Supporting Blue Envelope Programs Act is endorsed by: Major County Sheriffs Association, Fraternal Order of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, International Association of Chiefs of Police, San Bernardino County Sheriffs’ Department, San Diego County Sheriffs’ Office, Pomona Police Dept., Chino Police Dept., Fontana Police Dept., Ontario Police Dept., Autism Society, Autism Speaks, Autism Society Inland Empire, Inland Regional Center, Easterseals, Easterseals Southern California, The Arc of the United States, National Alliance on Mental Illness, American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, PD Avengers — Global Alliance to End Parkinson’s, American Psychological Association Services, National Association of County Behavioral Health and Developmental Disability Directors (NACBHDD).

Bill text

One pager

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

Today, Representatives Suzan DelBene (WA-01), Claudia Tenney (NY-24), Tony Wied (WI-8), Jim Costa (CA-21) led a bipartisan group of 74 members of the House of Representatives in a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, urging him to hold Canada accountable for failing to meet its dairy commitments under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The letter calls on the administration to use the upcoming 2026 USMCA review process to address these longstanding concerns.

During USMCA negotiations, Canada agreed to expand market access for U.S. dairy by creating new tariff-rate quotas (TRQs) reserved exclusively for American producers. Instead, Canada has undermined the agreement by allocating most TRQs to Canadian processors, who often have no incentive to import, rather than to retailers, restaurants, or food service providers who have the need and desire for high-quality, lower-cost U.S. dairy products.

Canada has further distorted the market by offloading artificially low-priced nonfat milk solids onto the global marketplace, putting downward pressure on prices for U.S. producers. Despite repeated U.S. challenges, Canada has refused to uphold their commitments, making the 2026 review a critical opportunity to strengthen the deal and protect American dairy producers. The letter also highlights the strong gains made with Mexico under USMCA and stresses the importance of preserving that progress.

“As a bipartisan group, we remain unified in our belief that the upcoming 2026 review of USMCA represents a critical opportunity to deliver to American dairy farmers, producers, and exporters the market access that was originally promised when the agreement entered into force,” wrote the Members. “USMCA raised the bar for what trade agreements could be, yet Canada has still failed to uphold its dairy commitments. This review is the appropriate mechanism to strengthen enforcement, close loopholes, and ensure that the benefits envisioned under the agreement are fully realized.”

The effort is strongly supported by U.S. dairy producers.

“USMCA raised the standard for what a trade agreement could be and promised new opportunities for U.S. dairy farmers,” said Gregg Doud, President and CEO, National Milk Producers Federation. “Unfortunately, the Canadian government has continued to evade its dairy trade obligations, and U.S. dairy farmers are not seeing the full benefits USMCA intended. We commend Representatives Tenney, DelBene, Wied, and Costa for championing this effort and working with the Administration to hold our trading partners accountable.”

“USMCA is the most important free trade agreement for the U.S. dairy industry, and it must be renewed, said Michael Dykes, President and CEO, International Dairy Foods Association. “But ongoing trade concerns with Canada and Mexico must also be rectified as the renewal is being considered. Collaboration between Congress and the Administration is critical to maintain the agreement’s meaningful progress and finally deliver the market access promised to U.S. dairy exporters. IDFA applauds this proactive approach by Members of Congress to help ensure that the review process results in a stronger, fairer USMCA.” 

The full text of the letter is available here.