MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

Griffith Announces $100,000 ARC Grant for Expanded Entrepreneur Access in the Ninth District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Hakeem Jeffries (8th District of New York)

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Reps. LaMonica McIver, Rob Menendez and Josh Gottheimer released the following statement:

Yesterday, after months of advocacy, an 18-year-old high school senior finally returned to her Orange, New Jersey home after her months-long detainment at the Delaney Hall facility. On Sunday, we had the opportunity to speak with Ariadna, who, even after being subjected to detention for months, remains singularly focused on resuming her high school studies, with an intent to pursue a career in law. Ariadna is a remarkable young woman and a true leader who, among other things, provided translation assistance between detainees, detention facility guards and visitors.

Donald Trump claimed his immigration enforcement would be targeted at violent felons who are in this country unlawfully. Instead, stories like Ariadna’s are far too common throughout his mass deportation scheme.

For months, Rep. McIver and Members of the New Jersey delegation have visited Ariadna — a DREAMer never accused of any violent crimes — and lifted up her story. The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to end her detention is a recognition that she was unnecessarily detained. House Democrats will continue to advocate for decency and humanity in our immigration enforcement system.

###

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives Sharice Davids (D-KS-03), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and 37 others questioned Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. about staffing shortages at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) that are slowing the distribution of congressionally approved research funding.

“These delays are not abstract,” wrote the Members. “They affect research into cancer treatments, Alzheimer’s and dementia, diabetes, and rare diseases that families across the country are living with every day. When grants stall, so does progress toward new therapies and potential cures.”

Every dollar of NIH funding adds more than $2.50 to the economy, and annually, NIH awards support 400,000 jobs and $94 billion of economic activity. Yet this year, NIH awarded just 3,081 new grants between January 1 and May 10, roughly half the average number awarded during the same period over the previous five years.

The impact is felt in Kansas. University of Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod recently warned that federally funded research dollars are not reaching universities at their normal pace, reporting that the University of Kansas has experienced a decline of $182 million in research funding three quarters into Fiscal Year 2026.

In their letter, Davids and Fitzpatrick asked HHS to provide information about current staffing shortages at NIH, plans to hire additional grants management specialists, whether the agency expects to fully distribute congressionally appropriated funding this fiscal year, and how NIH is communicating with grant recipients about funding timelines.

A full copy of Davids’ letter can be found here or below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy,

We write to express concern about continued staffing challenges at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the impact on the pace and reliability of lifesaving health research. As you know, the NIH is the global gold standard of medical research. It’s robust budget funds efforts at institutions nationwide, leading to some of the most vital health discoveries of the last several decades. Every dollar of NIH funding adds more than $2.50 to the economy; in FY2025, NIH awards supported nearly 400,000 jobs and $94 billion of economic activity. 

In recent months, recipients in our districts have shared concerns that the lack of sufficient grants management specialists (GMSs) have significantly slowed NIH’s award process. GMSs are a critical piece of the award process, and statistics show the agency has – between January 1 and May 10 – awarded just half of new grants (3,081) it averaged in the same time span over the previous five years (6,544). 

These delays are not abstract. They affect research into cancer treatments, Alzheimer’s and dementia, diabetes, and rare diseases that families across the country are living with every day. When grants stall, so does progress toward new therapies and potential cures.

With just over four months left in FY2026, the window to award new grants is rapidly closing. In April 2026, you testified before the Senate Appropriations Committee that your agency is in the process of hiring 12,000 staff to “right size” the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

And earlier this year, Congress – on a bipartisan basis – funded the NIH at $48.7 billion to continue its mission of finding unparalleled breakthrough results for patients and leading the world in healthcare innovation. As our constituents seek clarity on the future of NIH awards, please provide answers to the following questions by June 15, 2026:

1. How many GMSs below the needs of the NIH are currently employed by the agency (disaggregated by institutes and centers [ICs])?
2. Of the 12,000 staff HHS is in the process of hiring, how many will be at the NIH and how many of those will be GMSs (disaggregated by ICs)?
   1. If any, when will those GMSs be fully onboarded?
3. Are other NIH staff or researchers being asked to volunteer as GMSs on a temporary basis?
   1. If so, how many have been assigned to this task and for how long (disaggregated by ICs)?
4. Do you anticipate the NIH will be able to fully execute its new award funding for FY2026, fulfilling congressional budget intent?
   1. If not, what percentage of award funding do you anticipate forgoing at the end of FY2026?
5. How are you communicating with NIH awardees on the timeline of their funding?

We thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. NIH funding is one of the most important investments our country makes, and these awards must be executed correctly and with maximum efficiency. 

Sincerely,

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II (5th District Missouri)

(Washington, D.C.) – Today, U.S. Representatives Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-MO) and Analilia Mejia (D-NJ) led dozens of lawmakers in demanding the Trump administration make consumers eligible for tariff refunds and implement an automatic refund system to pay back small businesses that were harmed by the president’s illegal tariffs. In a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Trade Representative Jamieson Greer, Small Business Administration Administrator Kelly Loeffler, and Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Rodney Scott, the lawmakers called on the administration to forgo the current claims-based refund process that overwhelmingly benefits giant corporations, and instead implement an automatic refund system focused on compensating small businesses while also making consumers eligible for reimbursement.

“While American families and mom-and-pop businesses faced the brunt of the damage caused by the president’s illegal tariff scheme, the administration’s current refund system prioritizes relief for giant corporations without any consideration for those who suffered the most,” said Congressman Cleaver. “We believe it is the American consumers that were forced to pay higher prices and the small businesses weighed down by higher costs that should receive immediate compensation. Unfortunately, that’s not what we’re seeing on the ground under the current system, and it is important that the administration make necessary changes before more damage is done to local economies across the country.”

“Working people and small businesses paid the price for Donald Trump’s illegal tariffs. Families saw higher prices at the grocery store, higher costs for everyday goods, and small businesses were forced to absorb costs they could not afford. Now that the courts have made clear these tariffs were unlawful, the administration cannot leave relief up to a cumbersome claims process that favors large corporations with teams of lawyers and staff. Every small business that was harmed should receive an automatic refund, and American consumers deserve compensation too. We must work to get small businesses and consumers the help they need immediately,” said Congresswoman Mejia.

On February 20, 2026, the United States Supreme Court in Learning Resources v. United States found that President Trump exceeded the authority granted to the president under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) when he implemented wide-ranging tariffs on American businesses nationwide. Before the Court weighed in, the federal government had already collected upwards of $166 billion in duties under IEEPA.

Although the administration established a process for American importers to apply for reimbursement, research shows that roughly 90 percent of tariff costs were passed on to consumers, who have been given no opportunity for relief. 

Moreover, the Consolidated Administration and Processing of Entries (CAPE) portal created by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has proven to be unreliable, unfair, and unnecessarily burdensome for businesses it is meant to reimburse. While giant corporations have legal departments and administrative teams dedicated to these sorting through these issues, smaller businesses often do not have the resources and staff needed to operate the current system.

In addition to calling on immediate relief for consumers and small businesses, the lawmakers requested responses to the following questions:

1. What steps are your agencies taking to ensure that small business owners are given adequate resources to obtain refunds and better understand the process, including those who were not designated as the importer of record?
2. What steps are the administration taking to compensate or support small businesses and workers who may not be eligible for refunds, but nevertheless took on debt, lost revenue, or risk closing as a result of these tariffs?
3. Why has CBP not made consumers eligible for reimbursement, given that research shows the majority of tariff costs were passed on to everyday Americans, and are there any plans to provide direct relief to American consumers?
4. Why did CBP elect to pursue an importer-initiated claims process rather than issuing automatic refunds for unliquidated entries, and what actions are being taken to remediate technical failures in the CAPE portal and ensure timely processing of all claims?
5. Does the administration have a timeline for the processing of all IEEPA refund claims?

The letter was co-signed by Reps. Balint (D-VT), Barragán (D-CA), Bonamici (D-OR), Castro (D-TX), Cisneros (D-CA), Craig (D-MN), Crockett (D-TX), DeGette (D-CO), DeLauro (D-CT), DeSaulnier (D-CA), Escobar (D-TX), Fletcher (D-TX), Garcia (D-TX), Grijalva (D-AZ), Hayes (D-CT), Hoyle (D-OR), Huffman (D-CA), McBride (D-DE), McCollum (D-MN), McIver (D-NJ), Moulton (D-MA), Holmes Norton (D-DC), Pallone (D-NJ), Pettersen (D-CO), Pingree (D-ME), Quigley (D-IL), Ryan (D-NY), Salinas (D-OR), Simon (D-CA), Titus (D-NV), Tonko (D-NY), Wasserman Schultz (D-FL), Watson Coleman (D-NJ), Williams (D-GA).

The official letter from lawmakers is available here. 

 

Emanuel Cleaver, II is the U.S. Representative for Missouri’s Fifth Congressional District, which includes Kansas City, Independence, Lee’s Summit, Raytown, Grandview, Sugar Creek, Greenwood, Blue Springs, North Kansas City, Gladstone, and Claycomo. He is a member of the exclusive House Financial Services Committee and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Housing and Insurance.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — U.S. Rep. David Schweikert, R-Ariz., honored 21 local students who received appointments to U.S. service academies, setting a new record for his office.

“These students have earned an opportunity that takes discipline, character and a commitment to service,” Schweikert said. “It was a pleasure to meet them and their families as they prepare to represent Arizona and serve our country. We are very proud of them.”

Each year, members of Congress may nominate qualified students from their districts to attend U.S. service academies. Students who receive appointments are provided a fully funded four-year education and commit to serve for at least five years after graduation.

Schweikert’s office is also accepting applications for the next service academy nomination cycle. High school seniors for the 2026-27 school year in Arizona’s 1st Congressional District may apply through the online application portal. The deadline to apply is Sept. 25, 2026.

Students may begin their applications at https://schweikert.house.gov/service-academy-form/

For questions about the application process, students may contact Chelsea Lett, service academy coordinator, at (480) 946-2411 or Chelsea.Lett@mail.house.gov.

Back to News

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Joe Neguse (D-Co 2)

The bills are House companions to legislation introduced by Senator Bennet as Republicans attempt to pour billions more into the agencies without any accountability measures.

Washington, D.C. — Today, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse led the state’s House Democratic delegation in introducing three bills aimed at reforming the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The bills were first introduced by Senator Michael Bennet in the U.S. Senate and include the Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act, the Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act, and the Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act.

As the son of hardworking immigrants and naturalized citizens, Rep. Neguse has been at the forefront of Congress’ fight against the Trump administration’s cruel, inhumane, and unlawful immigration policies. In July 2025, he became the lead plaintiff in a lawsuit (Neguse et al. v. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement et al.) challenging the administration’s attempt to unlawfully block Members of Congress from conducting critical oversight and accessing immigration detention facilities. 

In response to Neguse’s efforts, federal courts have affirmed the right of all Members to visit ICE detention facilities—including as recently as March 2026. 

The Congressman is also credited, in part, with former Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem’s eventual termination. Neguse’s consequential questioning of Noem’s $220 million, taxpayer-funded ad campaign was part of the tipping point that ultimately led to her removal from office. 

“Over the course of the last year and a half, the Trump administration’s cruel and inhumane immigration policies have inflicted a heavy toll on the people of Colorado. Enough is enough,” said Congressman Joe Neguse. “I’m proud to join Senator Michael Bennet in introducing legislation that stands up for transparency and accountability, makes clear that oversight is not optional, and underscores that no president can bend the rule of law to their will. These proposals are a starting point toward real, meaningful reform—protecting children and sensitive locations, holding federal immigration officers accountable, and ensuring that everyone is treated with dignity and respect.” 

Congressman Neguse is joined by fellow House members Representatives Diana DeGette (CO-01), Brittany Pettersen (CO-07), and Jason Crow (CO-06) in introducing these proposals.

“Donald Trump’s ICE operations are out of control—he promised to go after the ‘worst of the worst,’ but instead ICE is detaining children, deporting U.S. citizens and people who are here legally, and operating with virtually no oversight or accountability,” said Congresswoman Pettersen. “As Republicans move to pour billions more taxpayer dollars into this lawless agency, we need comprehensive reform that the majority of the American people support. I’m grateful to work with Congressman Joe Neguse to introduce these bills to increase transparency, strengthen accountability, protect due process, and begin restoring trust.” 

“Donald Trump’s cruel immigration agenda has been defined by fear and a disregard for basic human dignity,” said Congresswoman DeGette. “No child should be detained, no family should be afraid to seek care at a hospital or attend school, and no law enforcement officer should be allowed to operate without transparency and accountability. I’m proud to work with my colleagues to introduce these bills that will restore humanity, oversight, and the rule of law to an immigration system that has been pushed beyond the bounds of decency.”

“Donald Trump said he’d go after the ‘worst of the worst’ criminals. Instead, he’s rounding up kids, detaining and murdering Americans in our streets, and terrorizing our communities,” said Congressman Crow. “Republicans just gave ICE a massive budget increase without pushing for any reforms to the abuses we have seen. It’s wrong and we must rein in the abusive practices of this rogue agency. I appreciate Senator Bennet’s leadership to stand up to President Trump and hold this administration accountable.”

Additional information about each bill can be found below.

The Keeping Immigrants and Destinations Safe (KIDS) Act would prohibit DHS from detaining children and from performing immigration enforcement actions in and around sensitive locations without a court issued criminal warrant. 

More specifically, the KIDS Act would:

• Prohibit DHS from detaining children, individuals with cognitive disabilities, or their primary caregivers;

• Ban immigration arrests at schools, hospitals, places of worship, courthouses, and other sensitive locations, unless officers have a court-issued criminal warrant; and 

• Clarify that these protections also apply when individuals are traveling to, attending, or returning from sensitive locations.

The Training, Responsibility, Uniforms, and Standards for Transparency (TRUST) Act ensures immigration enforcement agents are held to the same standards as local law enforcement and reforms hiring and screening standards and enforce uniform, identification, and professional conduct standards. 

More specifically, the TRUST Act would:

• Require immigration enforcement officers to wear standardized DHS uniforms and clearly display badges and identification during enforcement operations;

• Prohibit officers from wearing masks during immigration enforcement operations;

• Establish stronger hiring standards, including comprehensive background investigations, screening for affiliations with terrorist, violent, or hate-based organizations, and psychological evaluations;

• Require officers to complete specialized training on wrongful detention prevention, de-escalation strategies, language access, medical and disability recognition, and civil rights protections; and 

• Mandate officers to use body-worn cameras during enforcement actions, establish consequences for failing to activate or tampering with recordings, and require public release of footage following serious incidents, subject to privacy protections.

The Oversight, Protection, and Enforcement Notification (OPEN) Act seeks to improve oversight of DHS and enforce detention standards. 

More specifically, the OPEN Act would:

• Guarantee Members of Congress unrestricted access to all immigration detention facilities without prior approval;

• Ensure detained individuals are able to notify family members following their detention and access legal counsel;

• Require notification to family and legal representatives immediately when individuals are transferred to another detention facility or hospital;

• Require DHS to publicly report allegations and incidents of excessive force, wrongful detention, mistaken arrests, the detention of U.S. citizens, and sexual assault;

• Establish requirements for independent inspections by and transparency to appropriate federal and state officials before converting warehouses, jails, or other facilities into immigration detention centers; and 

• Require judicial warrants for immigration enforcement. 

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steny H Hoyer (MD-05)

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) issued the following statement to mark 45 years since he was sworn in to represent Maryland’s Fifth Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 3, 1981:

“Serving the people of MD-05 in Congress for the past forty-five years has been the honor of a lifetime. Through all these years, I’ve continued to believe that there is nothing we cannot achieve if we set out to do it together and in a spirit of consensus. 

“That’s how we enacted the ADA and launched a revolution of inclusion for people with disabilities across our country and around the world.  It’s how we reformed a broken health care system through the Affordable Care Act and reined in Wall Street with Dodd-Frank. It’s how we ended the discriminatory “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy, won the hard-fought battle for marriage equality, and never wavered in our ongoing fight for voting right and civil rights. Through bipartisan consensus, we made generational investments in infrastructure and manufacturing competitiveness. And, together, we stood up for our national security by fighting for human rights and democracy around the world and by protecting and strengthening critical military installations in Southern Maryland.  We made major progress cleaning up the Chesapeake and Patuxent, launched an innovative network of early-childhood centers, and expanded advanced research at the University of Maryland and our other world-class institutions of higher learning.

“I’m proud of all we’ve accomplished, and I look forward to continuing this work through the end of the 119th Congress.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chuck Fleischmann (R-TN)

Washington, DC – The House of Representatives passed U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann’s (TN-03) bill, H.R. 2768, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Stidy Act of 2026. This piece of legislation authorizes the critical next step in naming the Benton MacKaye Trail a National Scenic Trail.
“I was proud to see HR 2768 pass on the House floor. This legislation takes first steps in designating the Benton Mackaye Trail, which stretches from Springer Mountain in Georgia to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, a National Scenic Trail. The BMT is long overdue for recognition, and this critical distinction will bring better resources and maintenance to a wonderful and heavily used alternative to the Appalachian,” said Congressman Fleischmann. 
“The Benton MacKaye Trail runs through Georgia, Tennessee and North Carolina. Rep. Fleischmann’s legislation authorizes a study to determine if the trail can be designated as a National Scenic Trail. I commend Rep. Fleischmann for his dedication to improving outdoor recreation opportunities,” said Chairman Westerman. 
The Benton MacKaye Trail runs approximately 287 miles from Springer Mountain in North Georgia, through East Tennessee and Western North Carolina, into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, ending at Big Creek in the Northeast corner of the park. The Benton MacKaye Trail provides numerous opportunities for easy, moderate, and challenging day hikes, many routes for multi-day backpacking and camping, and of course, for the most serious hikers, end-to-end thru hikes.

###
 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA)

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Southwest Virginia Community College, based in Cedar Bluff, Virginia, a $1,818,822 grant. This funding will support the expansion of career and technical education programs with a focus in advanced manufacturing and trade-based skilled technician training. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Local industries in Southwest Virginia rely on experienced, trained and skilled individuals.

“This ARC grant for more than $1.8 million helps Southwest Virginia Community College expand education programs for students to access meaningful employment opportunities in the region.”

BACKGROUND

According to ARC, this funding is supported by the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) initiative.

These educational programs are anticipated to serve 390 students.

Southwest Virginia Community College will engage and collaborate with regional partners and organizations, including the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority and the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Moolenaar (4th District of Michigan)

Headline: Moolenaar: Gotion Filing is Further Example of CCP Lawfare

This week, Gotion, a CCP-affiliated company rejected thoroughly by Michigan residents, submitted its amended filing seeking monetary damages in its lawsuit against Green Charter Township. Congressman John Moolenaar opposed Gotion’s project to build a battery component factory due to the company’s well documented ties to the Chinese Communist Party and its reliance on forced labor in its supply chain. Moolenaar released the following statement: 

“Gotion spent years trying to force itself into Green Charter Township, despite patriotic residents of Mecosta County rejecting it time and time again. Now that the State of Michigan has rightly placed it in default of its obligations to receive state taxpayer support, it has sunk to a new low and is seeking to bankrupt the town. Gotion is no stranger to seeking retribution, in text messages revealed in court documents, a Gotion executive sought personal information about those who opposed the Chinese Communist Party coming to Mecosta County. Gotion’s recent filing is only further evidence the CCP and companies beholden to it will abuse our legal system to silence those who oppose their agenda.”

Moolenaar is the Chairman of the House Select Committee on China.

In November 2023, voters rejected Gotion’s plans to build a battery component factory in Green Charter Township, recalling the last five remaining members of the Board of Trustees who approved the deal. Following the recall, Gotion sued Green charter Township. Court documents revealed a Gotion executive personally sought private information about critics of the project. Last September, the Michigan Strategic Fund notified Gotion it was in default of its obligations, and made no progress on its project in 120 days. In January, Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel ordered Gotion to repay the state taxpayer funds given to the company.

Gotion is the “wholly-owned and controlled” subsidiary of its Chinese parent company, Gotion High-Tech, and receives subsidies from the Chinese government. Congressman Moolenaar has worked with community leaders to oppose the Gotion project and fought in Congress to stop it. Last year his NO GOTION policy became law. This policy prohibits taxpayer funding in the so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” from going to CCP-affiliated companies. Members of Gotion’s North America leadership attends CCP board meetings. The company also has ties to slave labor in China.

###