MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bruce Westerman (AR-04)

Freedom comes at a cost. Memorial Day serves as a weighty reminder of just how high a price many of our service men and women have paid. Most of us will spend our weekend enjoying the company of friends and family, hopefully some warm weather and sunshine, and maybe even a cookout or two. But my hope is that we can still remember that our ability to enjoy this weekend and the many blessings we have been given as Americans is all because of the sacrifice of our military heroes.

A little over a month ago, Hot Springs was privileged to welcome home the remains of World War II veteran, U.S. Army Air Force Staff Sgt. Russell O. Chitwood. While serving in France, his aircraft was struck down by German fire over enemy territory. Chitwood was among ten men, some of whom were captured as prisoners of war. However, Chitwood was never accounted for.

After new technology allowed his remains to be identified, Staff Sgt. Chitwood finally made his way home, eighty years later. It’s stories like these that remind us of the cost of freedom. And they remind us of how truly blessed we are to hold on to that freedom.

There’s a quote by Ronald Reagan that perfectly captures the spirit of this upcoming holiday. In his own Memorial Day speech at the Arlington National Cemetery in 1982, he said, “The willingness of some to give their lives so that others might live never fails to evoke in us a sense of wonder and mystery. One gets that feeling here on this hallowed ground. And I have known that same poignant feeling as I looked out across the rows of white crosses and stars of David in Europe, in the Philippines and the military cemeteries here in our own land. Each one marks the resting place of an American hero.”

I’m grateful to Staff Sgt. Chitwood and all of our American heroes who have served or lost their life for our country. As a Member of Congress, it’s a privilege to use my vote to honor their service and sacrifice. This week, the House voted to pass the Veterans 2^nd Amendment Act.

Our veterans fought to defend our Constitution. And they shouldn’t lose their own constitutional rights simply because a box was checked on their benefits form. For too long, veterans with fiduciaries have been placed into the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) – taking away their ability to legally own a firearm or ammunition.

This strips them of the due process civilians are guaranteed before being added to NICS. So instead of a judge making the decision of whether a veteran is a threat to their community, a VA bureaucrat makes that decision with the flick of a pen or click of a button.

House Republicans passed the Protecting Veterans 2^nd Amendment Act to prevent the VA from giving the NICS sensitive information without due process to protect our veterans’ constitutional rights – the ones they fought to defend.

I’m always proud to work alongside my colleagues in Congress to cast a vote that ensures our veterans receive the care, respect, and rights they have earned.

May you have a blessed Memorial Day weekend and may God continue to bless our troops and the United States of America.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Andy Harris (MD-01)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Andy Harris, M.D. (MD-01), announced $2,230,582 in funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for Choptank Community Health System in Denton, Maryland, to expand healthcare access in rural communities across Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Statement from Congressman Harris:

“Choptank Community Health System has long been a trusted healthcare provider on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, and I am proud to see this $2.2 million federal award invested in healthcare services across rural Maryland. Many residents live in areas where medical care is not always nearby, and long travel distances can make routine appointments and treatment more difficult. This funding will allow Choptank to serve more patients, increase appointment availability, and keep high-quality healthcare close to home for Eastern Shore families.”

For media inquiries, please contact Michella Carter at “>Michella.Carter@mail.house.gov

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (1st District of Maine)

Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Subcommittee that oversees the Kennedy Center, released the following statement after a federal judge ordered the removal of President Trump’s name from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and blocked the administration’s plan to close the venue for two years beginning in July:

Donald Trump tried to slap his name on the Kennedy Center like it was one of his tacky hotels, and today a federal judge made clear what we have been saying from the start: he had no legal authority to do it.

I am also relieved the court blocked Trump’s plan to shutter the Center. Closing the Kennedy Center was never about renovation. It was about covering up the catastrophic damage Trump has already inflicted: ticket sales in free fall, the Washington National Opera ending its 55-year residency, beloved performances canceled, and union workers fired in clear violation of their contracts. The court saw through the pretense.

I want to commend Congresswoman Beatty for her courage and persistence in filing this suit, along with the preservation and architectural organizations that fought alongside her. This victory belongs to every American who refused to accept a president using a national memorial as a vehicle for his own ego.

The Kennedy Center’s deferred maintenance needs are real, and they should be addressed. But that work must happen through a transparent, collaborative process, with full congressional oversight and proper historic preservation review. I stand ready to be a genuine partner in restoring the Kennedy Center’s integrity and greatness for generations to come. That is what the American people deserve, and that is the work that lies ahead.

Trump has two weeks to comply with this court order. The Kennedy Center belongs to the American people. Now and always.

Pingree, who co-chairs the bipartisan Congressional Arts Caucus, has been a leading voice in Congress to protect the Kennedy Center since Trump installed himself as board chair in 2025. As Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Subcommittee, Pingree successfully stripped language from the 2026 Appropriations bill that would have renamed the Kennedy Center Opera House after Melania Trump.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Donald Norcross (1st District of New Jersey)

May 28, 2026: Congressman Donald Norcross speaks to audience at the opening of the new Haddonfield Police Station

HADDONFIELD, NJ – Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) today joined local, county and state officials to cut the ribbon on the Haddonfield Police Department’s new headquarters at 1 Walnut Street. Norcross had previously secured half a million dollars in federal funding for the project.

Haddonfield’s Police Department was previously located in the basement of the roughly 100-year-old Borough Hall – a space that also served as a sealed fallout shelter during the Cold War. Due in part to longstanding flooding, mold, and ventilation issues, the building had repeatedly failed inspection and was no longer eligible for waivers to continue police work there.

The new Walnut Street facility solves those issues, while also introducing more secure holding areas and additional evidence storage. Other additions include dedicated spaces for domestic violence prevention and trainings for deescalation and emergency management.

“Our law enforcement officers provide a critical public service by keeping us safe, and I take pride in having their backs, too,” said Norcross. “A new police station was an obvious need for Haddonfield, and I appreciate the community’s partnership throughout the appropriations process. I’m excited to see this facility quickly pay dividends and will keep fighting to get South Jersey our fair share of federal resources.”

“Moving out of our previous basement headquarters and into a new modern facility represents a significant improvement for our officers,” said Chief Jason Cutler of the Haddonfield Police Department. “The old space had substantial limitations, and this new building gives our department the environment and tools we need to serve the community safely and effectively. We are grateful for Congressman Norcross’s support in helping secure the funding that made this project possible.”

In addition to Cutler, other officials present for the event included Haddonfield Mayor Dave Siedell and Commissioners Frank Troy and Itir Cole; Camden County Commissioner Director Louis Cappelli and Commissioner Colleen Bianco Bezich; U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development New Jersey Director Rick Stern; Haddonfield Fire Company Chaplain Reverand Dr. Chris Heckert; and New Jersey Assembly Majority Leader Louis Greenwald.

The half a million dollars Norcross secured for the facility came in the form of a Community Project Funding (CPF) grant in the fiscal year 2024 federal budget. CPFs are grants that individual Members of Congress can request from the Appropriations Committee for local projects that would benefit the district, subject to strict ethics oversight.

In 2026, Norcross has secured roughly $12 million in CPF grants for 15 different projects across New Jersey’s First Congressional District, including multiple investments for local first responders. A full list of the projects Norcross is helping fund can be found here.

###

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

Today, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries released the following statement after conducting an oversight visit this morning at ICE’s Delaney Hall detention facility alongside New Jersey Reps. Rob Menendez, LaMonica McIver and Josh Gottheimer.

The conditions of confinement we witnessed firsthand and discussed with approximately two dozen detainees at the Delaney Hall detention center shock the conscience. Immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. The Trump administration is doing the exact opposite. 

At Delaney Hall, we learned of unsanitary living conditions, lack of adequate medical care and unhealthy food. This is not America.

Donald Trump and his extreme administration promised to target violent felons who are in the country unlawfully. They lied. The violent Trump mass deportation machine has targeted American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families, including the minors, parents and pregnant women who have been detained at Delaney Hall. 

Not a single detainee that I spoke with during an oversight visit that lasted more than an hour falls into the category of the worst of the worst. They were law-abiding members of their community, including several tax-paying small business owners and an 18-year old DREAMer who was ripped away from her family just months from her high school graduation. The situation is unacceptable. Delaney Hall must be shut down immediately. 

Donald Trump and House Republicans are rushing to give ICE tens of billions of taxpayer dollars to fund their violent mass deportation machine, but will not spend a dime to make life more affordable for the American people. House Democrats will continue to oppose the reckless Republican budget and fight to dramatically reform an ICE agency that is out of control. 

We will continue to aggressively conduct congressional oversight visits to make sure that everyone is being treated with dignity and humanity. House Democrats will make sure that any Trump administration official or private contractor breaking the law is held accountable.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Al Green (TX-9)

(Houston, TX) – On Saturday, May 30, 2026, the Houston Parks Board and the Office of Commissioner Rodney Ellis honored Congressman Al Green by naming a new pavilion within Hill at Sims Park in Sunnyside in his honor during the park’s community celebration and grand opening. Public officials, community leaders, and residents joined the celebration of the new nature-based park, a collaborative project that transformed a 100-acre Harris County Flood Control District detention basin into a regional destination for recreation, connectivity, and environmental sustainability. During the Fiscal Year 2022 appropriations process, Congressman Green secured a $1 million federal grant to support the construction of the Hill at Sims/Scott Street Greenway Multi-Use Trail, which connects local schools and surrounding community facilities.

Congressman Al Green stated, “I am honored to be recognized in Sunnyside, a community with a rich history. Hill at Sims Park represents the power of partnership, public investment, and community vision. I trust that families from Sunnyside, the Greater Houston area, and visitors from across the globe will enjoy this park, the Scott Street Greenway, and the opportunities they create for recreation, connection, and community for many years to come.”

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

OVERLAND PARK, KS – Yesterday, Representative Sharice Davids announced that 17 students from Kansas’ Third District have successfully received their appointments to U.S. Service Academies following her nomination. At her annual send-off event in Overland Park, Davids presented each student with a certificate acknowledging their incredible achievement.

“As the daughter of an Army veteran, I know the strength and sacrifice it takes to serve,” said Davids. “It’s an incredible honor to nominate these hardworking young Kansans to our nation’s Service Academies. Their dedication and drive represent the best of our community, and I have no doubt they’ll make us proud as the next generation of military leaders.”

Davids’ nonpartisan Academy Panelist Board conducted personal interviews with each applicant, in addition to reviewing written applications, letters of recommendation, and GPAs. Davids then nominated the students based on the board’s recommendations. This year’s board included: 

• Eries L.G. Mentzer, Colonel, United States Air Force (Retired)
• Mike Souder, Lieutenant Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)
• Steve Wallace, Lieutenant Colonel, Infantry, U.S. Army (Retired)

After receiving a nomination from Davids, these 17 applicants successfully met the individual admission requirements for their respective academies, which made the final decisions on admission appointments. They include:

United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, CO

• Cora Dow – Bonner Springs High School
• Kambree Duker – Saint James Academy
• James Dykes – De Soto High School
• Ryan Kwan – Blue Valley Northwest High School
• Neely Leathers – Olathe West High School
• Alex Roberts – Blue Valley Southwest High School

United States Military Academy at West Point, NY

• Thomas Deppe – Rockhurst High School
• Vance Provost – Olathe North High School
• Malia Reeder – Blue Valley North High School

United States Military Academy Preparatory School at West Point, NY

• Jason Brendel – Blue Valley High School

United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD

• Kaden Allen – Saint Thomas Aquinas High School
• Snowden Connor – Pembroke Hill School
• Archer Esh – Christ Preparatory High School
• Roger Li – Blue Valley West High School
• Levi Mason – Rockhurst High School
• Abraham Sund – Saint James Academy

United States Naval Academy Preparatory School at Newport, RI

• Clara Breneman – Shawnee Mission East High School

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (3rd District of Ohio)

WASHINGTON, D.C.—U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper issued a ruling reversing the unlawful renaming and halting the planned closure of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

The court’s ruling permanently halts the unlawful effort to rename the Kennedy Center after President Donald Trump. Within 14 days, the defendants must remove all signage from the Kennedy Center that renames it for Donald Trump, must similarly fix the website to remove Trump’s name, must withdraw all trademark applications for the name “Trump Kennedy Center,” and must submit sworn proof of compliance to the court. The court separately enjoined defendants from winding down the Kennedy Center’s programming activities and closing the Center’s doors on July 5, as previously planned. 

The lawsuit was brought by Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, who is represented by lawyers from Democracy Defenders Action and the Washington Litigation Group. Rep. Beatty is an ex official member of the Kennedy Center’s Board of Trustees by virtue of her position in Congress. After Donald Trump’s handpicked Board voted to rename the storied institution in December 2025, she brought suit to halt the renaming. In February 2026, in the wake of declining ticket sales and without any warning, Donald Trump announced that the Kennedy Center would shut down, ostensibly for renovations. At that point, Congresswoman Beatty amended her lawsuit to also prevent the Center’s unlawful closure.

“Today’s ruling rightly affirms that this administration’s efforts to rename and close the Center have no basis in law,” said Congresswoman Beatty. “The Kennedy Center is an institution that belongs to the American people, not to Donald Trump. He has desecrated this sacred memorial for his own vanity. I am proud to have fought for the rule of law and to protect this sacred institution.”

“We applaud the court’s decision to block Trump’s attempt to unlawfully rename and close the Kennedy Center,” said Amb. Norm Eisen (ret.), co-founder and board member of Democracy Defenders Action and Nathaniel Zelinsky, senior counsel at the Washington Litigation Group. “This ruling sends an important message: the rule of law matters. This is a powerful blow against the Trump administration’s corruption.” 

Read the ruling here.

###

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David G Valadao (CA-21)

BAKERSFIELD, CA – Today, Congressman David Valadao (CA-22) hosted U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins at Allied Potato for a roundtable discussion on the challenges facing Central Valley farmers, ranchers, and producers. The event brought together agricultural leaders from across the region to discuss key industry priorities and celebrate USDA’s finalizing of the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ASCF) program. This will provide $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers to help offset rising input costs and market disruptions—$625 million more than previously announced.

Prior to the roundtable, Congressman Valadao and Secretary Rollins toured Allied Potato, where they visited the potato fields and observed the processing and packaging operations that help feed families across the nation.

“Agriculture drives the Central Valley’s economy, and I was honored to welcome USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins to Bakersfield for a discussion with local agricultural leaders today,” said Congressman Valadao. “For years, I’ve worked closely with producers across the Valley to address the challenges they face—rising input costs, workforce shortages, burdensome regulations, and the need for a stronger specialty crop safety net—and this conversation reinforced the importance of continued collaboration. As the sole dairy farmer in Congress, I understand these issues firsthand, which is why I was proud to join the Secretary as she announced USDA finalized $1.6 billion in assistance for specialty crop growers to help offset high costs and market disruptions. I appreciate her engagement with our local leaders, and I look forward to continuing to work with USDA on commonsense policies that support Central Valley agriculture and give producers the certainty they need to plan for the future.”

“Thank you Congressman Valadao, a leader on the House Commitee on Agriculture, for hosting an incredible roundtable today at Allied Potato here in your beautiful Bakersfield, California. Your extraordinary farmers, ranchers, and dairymen exemplify what it means to feed the country and the world,” said Secretary Rollins. “Everyday, the Trump Administration is putting Farmers First. As we announced after the roundtable, we are committed to ensuring the economic strength of our specialty crop operations as  we continue opening  new markets abroad and strengthening demand domestically for American produce. Congressman Valadao was critical to helping pass the Working Families Tax Cut Act, which is already helping over 63,000 California farms sell more agriculture products than any other state, protecting 2 million family farms from the death tax, increasing reference prices for the first time in more than a decade, and making the largest investment in rural America in history. And we are just getting started.”

“It was an honor to be asked by Congressman Valadao to host this important event with USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins. I appreciated the opportunity to welcome her to our farm, showcase Allied Potato’s operations, and share the important role California plays in potato production and exports. Many people are surprised to learn that California exports potatoes, and Allied Potato is proud to be the largest exporter in North America. The roundtable was extremely productive and provided a valuable forum to highlight the challenges and opportunities currently facing our agricultural producers. It was great to discuss these issues directly with Secretary Rollins, and I look forward to continuing the conversation about how producers and policymakers can work together to strengthen the Valley’s agricultural economy, expand our markets, and grow more products for consumers here and around the world,” said Jason Davenport, President and Owner, Allied Potato.

Attendees included representatives from the California Farm Bureau, Western Growers, Wonderful Citrus, California Dairies, Inc., Milk Producer’s Council, California Citrus Mutual, Grimmway Farms, Western Tree Nut Association, Blue Diamond Almonds, California Fresh Fruit Association, California Farmworker Foundation, Family Tree Farms, Monte Vista Farming Company, and Cauzza Growers.

Click here for photos from today’s event.

###

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

WASHINGTON, D.C. – New Jersey Democratic leaders today thanked Governor Mikie Sherrill for her efforts to protect public safety and the rights of peaceful protestors after several days of clashes outside the Delaney Hall immigration detention facility, where ICE agents have repeatedly engaged with protesters, elected officials, and members of the public. 

The following statement was released by alongside U.S. Representatives Frank Pallone, Bonnie Watson Coleman, Robert Menendez, LaMonica McIver, Analilia Mejia, Nellie Pou, Donald Norcross, and Herb Conaway: 

“We thank Governor Sherrill for her leadership in fighting to close Delaney Hall and working to protect New Jerseyans from ICE’s violent escalations. 

“We have seen first-hand what’s happening inside Delaney Hall: law-abiding immigrants, including, mothers and fathers of US citizens, pastors, and pregnant women, being denied health care, food and due process. This is an absolute abomination. We are proud to see so many New Jerseyans show up for their neighbors and friends to express their outrage. We will continue to support them as we raise our voices – together. 

“As Members of the New Jersey delegation, we will continue to hold the Trump Administration accountable for their unlawful cruelty and we won’t rest until Delaney Hall is closed for good.”

 ###