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

Today, Chicago Congressman Mike Quigley (IL-05) released the following statement on Trump’s deployment of ICE agents to O’Hare International Airport, amidst Republican refusals to fund TSA:

“I don’t trust ICE in our airports any more than I did on the streets of Chicago. They do not have the training to perform TSA’s functions, and they are far more likely to cause fear than to reassure travelers of their safety. This decision does nothing to allay flyers’ security concerns or reduce airport waiting times.

“Congressional Democrats have given the President and House Republicans numerous opportunities to fund TSA without restoring ICE funding. As recently as this weekend, they kept turning down the offer. I have cosponsored a bill to fund TSA, FEMA, and other critical agencies within DHS, and last week I signed a discharge petition to force a vote on the House floor. Republicans in Congress just need to decide if they want to serve the American people more than they want to cater to Trump.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (District of Columbia)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) released a statement ahead of Rules Committee consideration of the anti-D.C. bill, the Make the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful Act (H.R. 5103), introduced by Rep. John McGuire (R-VA). The bill would undermine D.C.’s autonomy by codifying parts of President Trump’s executive order of the same name into law. The Rules Committee will consider the bill at 4:00 p.m. and the full House is expected to debate the bill on Wednesday. The live stream of today’s hearing will be available on rules.house.gov. 

McGuire’s bill would establish the “D.C. Safe and Beautiful Commission.” As originally introduced, the Commission included only federal officials as members of the Commission and excluded any representation from the D.C. government, despite the power to make consequential changes affecting the District. The bill has since been amended to allow a representative from the D.C. Mayor’s Office as one of its 10 members.

The Commission’s first two listed responsibilities are aimed at increasing immigration enforcement in D.C. Specifically, the Commission is required to ensure the “maximum enforcement of Federal immigration law within the District of Columbia, including… the redirection of available Federal, State, or local law enforcement resources to apprehend and deport illegal aliens,” and to monitor D.C.’s “sanctuary-city status and compliance with the enforcement of Federal immigration law.” The Commission is also required to facilitate the “deployment of a more robust Federal law enforcement presence” in D.C. and “increase the speed and lower the costs of processing concealed carry” gun permits in D.C.

“This bill seeks to further President Trump’s efforts to control and demonize D.C. and its residents, the majority of whom are Black and Brown,” Norton said. “President Trump has already called for the repeal of D.C. home rule, federalized the D.C. Police, deployed troops and masked federal agents on D.C.’s streets, terrorized immigrants in D.C., demolished the East Wing of the White House and closed the Kennedy Center. This bill will only further embolden him.

“The arrogance of President Trump’s patronizing efforts is evident in his executive order issued in March of 2025 and in the original bill’s exclusion of any representative from the D.C. government from sitting on a Commission which has ‘D.C.’ in its very title. Although the bill now includes one slot for a member from the D.C. Mayor’s Office, designating one out of 10 members to represent the interests of D.C. residents is an insultingly insufficient adjustment. 

“At a time when 60% of Americans disapprove of ICE’s actions terrorizing communities all over the country, it strikes me as politically unwise for Republicans to pass legislation expanding ICE’s ability to terrorize the nation’s capital, where residents are well informed on their rights and where thousands of journalists live, work, and store their cameras. 

“Let me be clear: Republican members of Congress who are not accountable to D.C. have no business dictating the local laws of a city where 700,000 people live permanently and have chosen their own leaders through the democratic process. If Republicans truly cared about making D.C. safe and beautiful, they wouldn’t work to increase the number of deadly firearms in the District; they’d fully fund the National Park Service, which maintains over 90% of D.C.’s parkland and has lost a quarter of its staff since President Trump took office.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Pete Aguilar (31 CD Ca)

Republican cuts to health care threaten access to affordable care for more than 24,000 people in California’s 33rd Congressional District who are enrolled in Covered California, California’s Affordable Care Act marketplace

SAN BERNARDINO, CA – Ahead of the 16-year anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Rep. Pete Aguilar (CA-33) held a press conference at a mobile health clinic in San Bernardino to highlight how President Trump is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on his reckless war with Iran rather than bringing down health care costs for Americans here at home. You can watch the full video of the press conference here and find photos from the event above and here.
Sixteen years after the Affordable Care Act expanded health care to millions of Americans, Republican attacks on health care and their refusal to extend the ACA tax credits caused health care premiums to increase for 24,000 residents of California’s 33rd Congressional District and more than 1.7 million Californians statewide. Instead of investing taxpayer money in bringing down the cost of health care, the Trump administration is spending it on this misguided war and is asking for even more taxpayer dollars to fund the war instead of bringing down costs here at home. 
On top of the Republican health care crisis, Trump’s war with Iran has made gas prices across the country skyrocket, with prices in San Bernardino County soaring to nearly $6.00 a gallon. The SAC Health Mobile Clinic travels hundreds of miles to serve thousands of patients in the Inland Empire, and higher fuel costs make it more expensive and difficult for mobile health clinics to operate and provide care to underserved communities. 
“Sixteen years ago, the Affordable Care Act expanded access to quality, affordable health care for millions of Americans,” said Rep. Pete Aguilar. “Today, Republicans are putting that progress at risk with health care cuts in their Big Ugly Law and by refusing to extend ACA tax credits that kept coverage affordable. Californians already struggle to afford doctors’ visits and groceries because of these policies—and now, Trump’s war with Iran is making gas prices skyrocket nationwide. Even worse, the Trump administration is asking for more of Americans’ hard-earned taxpayer dollars to fund their reckless foreign war after already spending billions, all while refusing to spend a dime to bring down the cost of health care. From the gas pump to the doctor’s office, working families are paying the price for Trump’s disastrous policies and costly foreign war. I’ll keep fighting to lower costs, protect health care and hold Trump accountable so Inland Empire families can thrive.”
“The anniversary of the ACA is a reminder of how many of our community continue to need the compassionate care the SAC Health provides,” said Dr. Michael Robinson, ACMO, SAC Health. “We are grateful for the ongoing support of the ACA as it is essential for the health of our community; it ensures that preventive care remains accessible and that chronic diseases are managed before they become emergencies. It allows us all to work together to care for our fellow human beings. This means that we can continue to focus on high-quality patient care every single day here at SAC Health.”
“When I was unemployed, and my son was sick, we were without any health care coverage,”said Luis Hernandez, SAC Health Patient. “I cannot imagine what I would have done without a safety net that actually worked when we needed it most. Today, my son is healthy because we had resources that afforded us the ability to find a doctor and hospital that could help us.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07)

Convening Marked 16^th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act Signed into Law

Press Conference Video (YouTube) | Photos (Dropbox)

BOSTON – On the 16^th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act being signed into law, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley (MA-07) held a critical convening with Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) and healthcare providers and advocates, faith leaders, and individuals impacted by ACA cuts about how Republicans are ripping away healthcare while pouring money into war and ICE kidnappings.

“Republicans’ manufactured healthcare crisis is making people sicker, poorer, and less safe. Meanwhile Republicans are pouring money in to a war and funding the rogue ICE agents attacking our neighbors,” said Rep. Pressley. “Sixteen years ago, the Affordable Care Act was enacted to address barriers to healthcare and helped people access essential healthcare coverage—and Republicans are rolling back these gains every day by gutting essential programs like Medicaid and forcing families to choose between refilling medications and paying rent. While Trump can somehow find $2 billion a day for war, we’re demanding that he and Republicans put people over profit and support life-saving healthcare. It was an honor to be joined by healthcare providers and advocates, faith and community leaders, and impacted individuals here in the Massachusetts 7^th. We will continue using every tool we have to fight for our neighbors’ health and dignity.”

“In Washington, you can either choose to make policy progress or inflict policy violence. And what Donald Trump and Republicans have been doing is inflicting policy violence on the American people. They have cut healthcare for tens of millions of Americans and can’t seem to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits. Instead, they used that money to give a $75 billion slush fund to fund Donald Trump’s mass deportation machine and are spending billions of dollars a day to drop bombs in a reckless war of choice in the Middle East,” said House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08). “House Democrats believe that in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, not a single person should go without access to high-quality healthcare. We will continue to emphasize healthcare, not warfare, and make clear for the American people our commitment to push back aggressively against the toxic policy choices that Republicans continue to impose.”

Joining Rep. Pressley and Leader Jeffries at the convening were Rev Willie Bodrick of Twelfth Baptist Church, Rev Mariama White Hammond, Dr. Guy Fish of Codman Health Center, Michael Curry of MA League of Community Health Centers, Dr. Ellana Stintson at Mass General Brigham, Dr. Thea James at Boston Medical Center, John Barros, Cabo Verde community leader and former Chief Equity Officer for Boston, Carolyn Villers, Executive Director of Mass Senior Action and an elder impacted by ACA cuts.

Press conference footage is available here and photos from the event are available here.

Rep. Pressley has been a champion for essential health care coverage and the extension of ACA tax credits. Additionally, as immigrant communities have been under siege by the Trump administration, Rep. Pressley has been a leading voice in pushing back and defending our immigrant neighbors. Rep. Pressley has also condemned Trump’s endless war on Iran, demanding an end to the attacks and killing of U.S. servicemembers and innocent civilians.

• In January 2026, Rep. Pressley applauded Democrats forcing House passage of legislation to extend life-saving Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and protect healthcare for millions. On the House floor, Rep. Pressley implored Republicans to save healthcare for families across the country, including her constituent Deborah, whose family’s monthly payments would double should the ACA tax credits expire.
• In December 2025, in a powerful floor speech, Rep. Pressley condemned Trump and Republicans’ attacks on healthcare and abortion access, and demanded Speaker Johnson bring a vote to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies to the House floor immediately.
• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley delivered a floor speech in which she assailed the Republican spending bill, which would cause healthcare costs to skyrocket and force families to choose between healthcare and food. Congresswoman Pressley vowed to keep fighting to save healthcare for communities in the Massachusetts 7^th and across the country.
• In November 2025, Rep. Pressley slammed Republicans for harming families across America by shutting down the government, unlawfully cutting food assistance, and jacking up healthcare costs. Congresswoman Pressley also questioned witnesses about the harmful, misleading stereotypes pushed by Republicans about who relies on federal programs like the Affordable Care Act, SNAP, and Medicaid.
• In October 2025, Rep. Pressley issued a statement condemning Republicans after they chose to shut down the government rather than work with Democrats to protect families and save healthcare for millions.
• Just days into last fall’s government shutdown, Rep. Pressley held an emergency convening in Boston to highlight the harm of the shutdown to MA-07 constituents – federal workers, patients, advocates, and more.
• Just hours before the Republicans shut down the government, Rep. Pressley rallied with advocates, colleagues, and impacted folks to demand Republicans protect healthcare and keep the government open
• Congresswoman Pressley stood in solidarity with workers and families who would be impacted by the government shutdown.
• Rep. Pressley also joined an all-day event with House Democrats to hold the line against Trump and Republicans’ efforts to rip away healthcare from millions of Americans.

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

Today, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries joined Rep. Ayanna Pressley for a roundtable and press conference on the Healthcare Not Warfare Day of Action, where they discussed the harmful impacts of prioritizing entering a war of choice in the Middle East over ensuring healthcare is affordable for all Americans.

LEADER JEFFRIES: We gather on the 16th anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act, life-sustaining, life-changing and life-saving legislation. That’s the type of thing that we in Congress should be doing to make life better for the American people. Unfortunately, Republicans, led by President Trump and those Republicans in the House and the Senate, have chosen not to make policy progress but to inflict policy violence on the American people in areas like healthcare and access to healthy food.

In the One Big Ugly Bill, Republicans enacted the largest cut to Medicaid in American history, literally ripping healthcare away from more than 14 million Americans, including our elders. And in that same toxic bill, Republicans enacted the largest cut to nutritional assistance in American history, a $186 billion cut to SNAP, ripping food away from children, from veterans and from hungry seniors in order to give massive tax breaks to their billionaire donors and, at the same period of time, create a $75 billion slush fund to unleash masked and untrained, violent ICE agents to brutalize and kill American citizens, like Renee Nicole Good and Alex Pretti, or violently target law-abiding immigrants families. That’s policy violence and a priority choice that Republicans have made. And now, on top of the One Big Ugly Bill, Republican extremists have chosen to plunge this country into a reckless war of choice and spend billions of dollars to drop bombs in the Middle East without any justification that has been articulated to the American people while cutting healthcare and being unwilling to find a dime to extend the Affordable Care Act tax credits.

We’re here to make clear, and this roundtable will further equip us as we go back to Washington to emphasize healthcare, not warfare, and to make clear to the American people the types of toxic policy choices that Republicans have chosen to make and our commitment as Democrats to push back aggressively against it. In closing, we believe as Democrats that in this great country of ours, the wealthiest country in the history of the world, access to high-quality healthcare, to primary care, to services at community-based health centers, can’t simply be a privilege available only to the wealthy, the well-off and the well-connected. Access to high-quality and affordable healthcare should be a right that is available to everyone, which is why we will continue to emphasize healthcare, not warfare.

Full press availability can be watched here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Brad Sherman (D-CA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Brad Sherman (CA-32) today criticized President Donald Trump for derailing a bipartisan agreement to fund the Department of Homeland Security and deploying ICE agents to airport security checkpoints, as delays and TSA staffing shortages continue to strain airports nationwide.

“Trump just blew up a bipartisan deal to end this TSA nightmare because he wants to force through a voter suppression bill,” said Congressman Sherman. “Let that sink in.”

Sherman warned that, in the absence of proper TSA staffing and funding, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel have been deployed into airport roles for which they are not trained — leading to confusion and operational disruptions rather than improved security.

“Instead of paying TSA workers, the administration is sending ICE into airports who aren’t trained for aviation security and are already causing confusion and disruption, not solving the problem,” Sherman said.

The Congressman further accused Trump of holding TSA workers’ paychecks hostage in an effort to advance the SAVE Act — legislation Sherman voted against and says would make it harder for millions of eligible Americans to vote: “He’s wreaking havoc across airports and putting aviation security at risk, all to pass legislation that would restrict access to the ballot box.”

In response, Sherman announced that he has requested his own congressional salary be withheld until TSA workers receive their pay.

“Members of Congress should live by the same rules as the people we represent,” Sherman said. “If TSA workers aren’t getting paid, neither should we.”

Sherman called on Trump to reverse course immediately.

“Stop standing in the way. Fund TSA. Get ICE out of airports. End this now.”

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

Last week, Congressman Bob Latta (OH-5) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean P. Duffy applauding the Department of Transportation (DOT) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for their recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of AVs across America. 

The letter follows NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum. At the forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, the need for a federal AV framework, and plans for updated AV guidance. This builds on prior Administration action and leadership in automated driving systems. 

In his letter, Congressman Latta underscored how AVs can usher in a new era of safety; the need for a federal AV framework; and the stakes of competition with China. 

“The Administration has demonstrated unparalleled leadership in safety advancing AV technology. I commend Secretary Duffy and Administrator Morrison for their ongoing efforts to promote this life-saving technology. That said, executive action alone falls short. Congress must act now to ensure durable statutory clarity. This is why I introduced the SELF DRIVE Act, which prioritizes safety, a single federal AV standard, and American competitiveness. If America fails to deliver clear rules, Communist China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that must remain in America,” said Latta.

Background: 

Congressman Latta has been working on autonomous vehicle legislation since 2017. During the 115th Congress, his SELF DRIVE Act  passed the House, making it the first Congressional proposal to address autonomous vehicle technology. 

Latta introduced the SELF DRIVE Act of 2026 on February 5, 2026. The bill would strengthen safety requirements, clarify NHTSA’s authority, improve crash data transparency, and promote U.S. leadership in autonomous vehicles innovation. Last month, the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade advanced the bill. 

Congressman Latta is the co-chair of the Congressional Autonomous Vehicle Caucus; a bipartisan caucus aimed at educating Congress on how autonomous vehicle technology can improve the safety and accessibility of the nation’s roads. 

Read the full letter here and below: 

Dear Secretary Duffy:  

I write to applaud the Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the Administration’s recent efforts to advance the safe deployment of autonomous vehicles (AV) in the United States. Most recently, at NHTSA’s March 10th National AV Safety Forum, Administrator Morrison highlighted the safety benefits of AVs, emphasized the need for a single federal vehicle safety standard, and announced plans for updated AV guidance later this year. This forum builds on the Administration’s broader record of AV leadership. It follows the AV Framework unveiled last spring, the streamlining of the Part 555 exemption process, and the issuance of the first-ever demonstration exemption for American-made AVs. 

Safety is at the core of this transformative technology. Nearly 40,000 Americans die on our roads each year, and 94% of crashes are linked to human error. AVs can drastically reduce fatalities caused by distraction, impairment, and fatigue, but to realize that promise, we need clear national rules that prioritize safety and enable responsible deployment. These systems are safe, and we have the data to prove it. Waymo reports over 127 million autonomous miles and substantially lower rates of injury-causing crashes than human drivers, including 85 percent fewer serious injury crashes and 92 percent fewer pedestrian injury crashes. 

The forum also reinforced the need for one federal AV framework. More than 35 states have enacted AV laws, resulting in a patchwork that slows deployment and makes it harder for American companies to invest with confidence. The federal government has always overseen the design, construction, and performance of vehicles, and should continue to do so for AVs. As Administrator Morrison argued, “We want to ensure that as AVs cross state lines, the rules remain clear.” 

When unveiling the Administration’s AV Framework, you warned that “we’re in a race with China to out-innovate, and the stakes couldn’t be higher.” The United States cannot afford to lose this race. Baidu has already completed over 17 million rides, and Beijing has mandatory AV standards that take effect this year. If America fails to deliver clear national rules, China will scale its technology, influence global standards, and steal manufacturing jobs that should have remained in America.  

The AV Safety Forum made clear that the Administration understands the stakes. I appreciate the continued AV leadership NHTSA, the Department, and the Administration have shown. Congress should build on this progress with durable statutory clarity that prioritize safety, a federal standard, and American competitiveness. I look forward to working with you and Administrator Morrison as we advance a responsible federal AV framework.  

Thank you for your continued engagement on this issue.  

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Jesús Chuy García (IL-04)

CHICAGO — Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04), member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees, issued the following statement on President Trump deploying ICE agents to airports:

“Deploying ICE agents to airports is not making travelers safer or addressing long security lines, just like their presence in our cities does not make us safer. Instead, this unprecedented action is making people afraid to go to the airport, and causing confusion and violence, like the incident in San Francisco last night. This is exactly what Trump wants. If Trump were serious about addressing long lines at airports, he would support Democratic legislation to fund TSA. Instead, Republicans keep blocking it because they are trying to strong-arm Congress into sending billions more to ICE and CBP, and pass voter suppression legislation. 

“Trump needs to call off his thugs and fund TSA. As a Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure and Judiciary Committees, I will work closely with my colleagues to fight back against this abuse of power, and to ensure travelers know their rights.” 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Pramila Jayapal (7th District of Washington)

Washington, D.C. — Today, Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Rep. Jamie Raskin, Ranking Member of the House Judiciary Committee, and Rep. Robert Garcia, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, wrote to Attorney General Pam Bondi demanding that the Department of Justice implement a new process allowing Congress to meaningfully review the unredacted files related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The Department’s current review system violates the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and has effectively blocked Congress from conducting meaningful oversight of the files.

“Under your leadership, the Department of Justice (DOJ) continues to cover up for Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s co-conspirators and enablers. You are clearly violating the Epstein Files Transparency Act (EFTA) and obstructing Congress’s oversight of your production of the Epstein files. It is now time for a complete reset and a new process aimed at complying with this law, instead of thwarting it, and providing survivors and the American people with the transparency, accountability, and justice to which we are all entitled,” wrote the Members.

Under the EFTA, DOJ was required to release all records related to Epstein subject only to narrow exceptions protecting survivors’ identities, classified information, and active investigations. Instead, DOJ has withheld roughly three million pages of documents and redacted hundreds of thousands more based on privileges Congress expressly rejected in the law.

Journalists, survivors, and members of the public have also continued to identify additional documents that appear to have been improperly withheld or redacted. Survivors reviewing the files have reported that witness interview records known as FD-302s—including documents describing allegations against Epstein’s co-conspirators—appear to be missing from the released materials.

DOJ’s current process for congressional review makes meaningful oversight impossible. Members are only allowed to review documents on four DOJ computers located at a satellite office that is open only during business hours. At that pace, it would take more than seven years for Members to review even the limited set of files DOJ has made available.

The DOJ has further restricted oversight by prohibiting Members from taking notes on their own materials, barring congressional staff from assisting with document review, and monitoring Members’ searches and activities while they review the files.

To remedy these failures, the Members call on DOJ to immediately implement a new review process that would provide Congress full access to the Epstein files, ensure documents available to Members are fully unredacted, establish secure review access on Capitol grounds, allow designated congressional staff to assist with oversight, and end any monitoring of Members’ searches or notes.

The Members demanded that DOJ promptly confirm whether it will adopt these reforms and comply with the transparency requirements Congress enacted into law.

Click here to read the letter.

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

Washington, D.C. — Last week, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse, Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, and Representative Jared Huffman, Ranking Member of the Natural Resources Committee, penned a letter to U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Schultz underscoring the importance of seasonal employees and requesting an update on the agency’s plan to make sure it’s adequately equipped for fire season and summer recreation. 

The lawmakers’ letter points to the mass terminations and hiring freezes enacted under President Trump last year. Forest Service employees said these losses crippled the agency’s federal firefighting and land management capabilities. Neguse and Huffman previously demanded that firefighters and essential seasonal workers be exempt from these attacks, but administration officials disregarded their calls, with as many as 1,400 “red card” holders leaving the agency in 2025 — a dramatic reduction in the number of wildfire-certified personnel. 

Now, as nearly half of the United States is experiencing drought heading into drier, warmer months, western communities are already bracing for a high-risk wildfire season. Neguse and Huffman are seeking answers on the USFS’s plan to protect public lands and the American people.

Read the full letter HERE and below: 

March 18, 2026

The Honorable Tom Schultz

Chief

U.S. Forest Service

Washington, D.C. 20250

Dear Chief Schultz,

We write to request additional information about the U.S. Forest Service’s (USFS) plans to hire seasonal employees for 2026. As you know, your agency disclosed during our January 21st Federal Lands Subcommittee hearing that the USFS is planning to hire seasonal workers this year, and further, committed on February 12th to hiring 2,000 seasonals. We write to request additional information about this hiring process. 

As you know, seasonal employees play a critical role in the maintenance and stewardship of some of our most treasured public lands and national forests. Each year, more than 130 million people visit our national forests to enjoy the recreational, educational, and cultural benefits they offer, with a significant influx in the summer months. For decades, seasonal employees have been instrumental in trail and recreation site management, conserving forests, protecting wildlife, water, and cultural resources, providing visitor services, and fighting wildland fires during peak visitor season. 

With the exception of fire-related positions, the USFS did not hire seasonal staff in 2025 due to budget constraints. The USFS has additionally lost more than a quarter of its full-time staff over the last year, which made the lack of seasonal staff particularly acute in 2025. The USFS’s recent Trail Program Status Report found that trail maintenance is at its lowest level in 15 years due to the lack of seasonal staff.         

Please answer the following questions about the Forest Service’s plans to hire seasonal employees for 2026, specifically: 

• How many seasonal employees in each sector of the USFS, such as recreation or trail management, will be hired by June 1, 2026? 

• Do you plan to distribute the seasonal employees in a geographically equitable manner? Will forests or regions with the highest need for seasonal employees and additional staff be prioritized? 

• How many seasonal firefighters does USFS plan to hire for the 2026 season? How does USFS plan to ensure its wildland firefighting workforce is adequately staffed and supplied with the necessary equipment to address the upcoming fire season?

• Will USFS conduct outreach to inform potential applicants that the USFS will be hiring seasonals for this summer, given the hiring freeze last year?

Our national forests are some of our most treasured public lands, and it is absolutely crucial that we maintain and protect them for every American and for generations to come. We appreciate your agency’s commitment to hiring seasonal employees for 2026, and look forward to your prompt response. 

Sincerely,  

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