MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO-02)

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), Member of the House Intelligence Committee, released the following statement after introducing the Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act. The legislation streamlines government processes to ensure sensitive American technologies are not sold to foreign adversaries.

“For nearly thirty years, the Department of Commerce’s Entity List has been a crucial tool in ensuring foreign adversaries do not gain access to sensitive American technologies and products. However, nations that wish to harm the United States are constantly changing their tactics, creating illicit networks to evade U.S. export controls. 

“This much-needed legislation will modernize our export control regime and streamline the ability of the Departments of State, Defense, and Energy to quickly modify the list of foreign entities—ranging from governments to companies and research institutions—that pose a serious risk to our national security. 

“By implementing a thirty-day clock on proposed additions, removals, or other modifications to the Entity List, our government will be able quickly address any efforts by our adversaries to cheat the system and obtain superior, American-made technology.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Pappas is the first Democrat to sign onto this reform legislation to end special privileges for Congress not enjoyed by the traveling public

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lauren Underwood (IL-14)

WASHINGTON – Representative Lauren Underwood, Representative Kim Schrier, M.D. (WA-08), and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced the Child Suicide Prevention Act, legislation that would address suicide among children and young adults by providing evidence-based training to current and future health care professionals. Suicide is currently the second leading cause of death for young people ages 10-24. From 2000 to 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that suicide rates among young Americans increased 52 percent.

“I have heard from so many young people about their challenges and struggles with mental health. We can and we must do better for our kids, and I want them to know that there is hope,” said Underwood. “Representative Schrier, Senator Schatz, and I introduced the Child Suicide Prevention Act to make sure health care providers are equipped with life-saving training and interventions backed by data. Our legislation takes meaningful action so that young people can get the help they need to lead safe and healthy lives.”

“As a pediatrician, children’s health and well-being have always been my top priority,”said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “We are in the midst of an unprecedented youth mental health crisis that has led to skyrocketing suicide rates among children. We must do all we can to address this crisis head-on, which is why I’m proud to introduce legislation to give healthcare providers the tools and resources they need to help keep our children safe.”

“Youth suicide is a crisis in Hawai‘i and across America, and we need to do everything we can to get young people help when they need it,” said Senator Schatz. “This bill provides important training and resources to medical professionals who will be able to deliver timely help and prevent these tragedies.”

The Child Suicide Prevention Act would provide funding for evidence-based training on youth suicide prevention to current and future health care professionals. Additionally, the bill would create a centralized database of resources where at-risk youth and their families, medical and nursing schools, and health care professionals can turn for best practices in suicide prevention.

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of suicide, help is available. Call, text, or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741. Rep. Underwood’s website also includes a Behavioral Health Resources page to help our community find support.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (8th District of Illinois)

WASHINGTON — Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi joined Representatives Lucy McBath, Bobby Scott, and Emily Randall in demanding that Attorney General Pam Bondi immediately rescind a Department of Justice directive that weakens protections against sexual violence for transgender and intersex people in correctional facilities.In a letter sent today, the lawmakers warned that the Department’s December 2025 memo directing Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) auditors to stop applying standards designed to protect transgender and intersex inmates “undermines critical safeguards established to prevent sexual abuse in correctional facilities, places countless people at risk, and violates the PREA law.”

The letter, led by Krishnamoorthi, underscores that PREA was enacted to “establish a zero-tolerance standard for the incidence of prison rape in prisons in the United States” and argues that the Department’s current policy directly conflicts with both the law and its own data showing that transgender inmates face dramatically higher rates of sexual victimization.

“PREA clearly establishes that no one who is incarcerated should experience sexual violence, yet the Department of Justice is actively telling auditors to ignore regulations that help minimize the risk that transgender and intersex inmates experience sexual violence,” the members wrote.

The lawmakers called on the Department to reverse the memo immediately and fully enforce the 2012 PREA regulations, including protections for transgender, intersex, and other LGBTQ+ inmates.

“We urge you to rescind the Department’s December 2, 2025 memo and ensure that all covered facilities are fully complying with the 2012 regulations and doing everything in their power to protect against sexual victimization in prison facilities, including protecting transgender and intersex inmates,” the letter states.

In addition to demanding the memo’s withdrawal, the members requested a briefing within 30 days on the legal basis for the Department’s directive and the specific steps it is taking to protect incarcerated individuals from sexual abuse.

The letter from the members is available here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI) announced the Battle Creek VA Medical Center will be receiving $14,497,160 to modernize, repair, and improve buildings on its campus as part of the Veterans Health Administration’s Non-Recurring Maintenance (NRM) Program. In January, the Trump Administration announced the largest NRM allocation ever at $4.8 billion. The NRM program funds one-time maintenance projects for facilities, equipment or infrastructure that are not part of routine, recurring maintenance. These projects include significant maintenance, replacements or upgrades needed to maintain operational capability and advance health care delivery.

Specifically, the Battle Creek VA Medical Center will be receiving funding that enhances HVAC systems, improves overall building safety, replaces elevators in multiple buildings across the campus, and installs two additional sump pumps.

“I am glad to see these important investments being made to improve infrastructure, safety, and care at the Battle Creek VA,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga. “Our veterans deserve the best care available and that can’t happen unless we invest and make improvements to the facilities where our veterans receive care.”

“Under President Trump, VA is putting Veterans first, and this historic investment underscores that fact,” said VA Secretary Doug Collins. “Improved facilities, equipment and infrastructure mean better care for Veterans, and these funds will enable VA to achieve that goal.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Bill Huizenga (MI-02)

Today, the House Foreign Affairs Committee passed bipartisan legislation, H.R. 3447, the Chip Security Act, introduced by Congressman Bill Huizenga (R-MI). This legislation passed by a unanimous vote of 42-0.

The Chip Security Act requires advanced chip manufacturers to implement technical security measures to detect and prevent smuggling to unauthorized countries and end-users. This legislation responds to ongoing reports of AI chips being smuggled into China, where they are used to power state-controlled AI projects. Despite current export controls, smuggling networks and front companies continue to move U.S.-made chips into restricted countries.

Last week, the Department of Justice filed charges against three individuals for conspiring to violate US national security lase by smuggling billions of dollars of advanced AI chips to China. Additionally, last fall, the Department of Justice announced it has indicted three Chinese nationals for smuggling high-tech chips to China via third party countries like Thailand and Malaysia.

“The Chip Security Act enhances protections on AI chip exports by scaling up best security practices and encouraging innovative technologies,” said Congressman Bill Huizenga, Chairman of House Foreign Affairs South and Central Asia Subcommittee. “This bill directly supports the Trump Administration’s AI action plan recommendations and benefits from both administration technical assistance and industry feedback.”

“If we’re going to export advanced AI chips, we need confidence that they don’t end up in the hands of the Chinese military,” said House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Brian Mast. “We’re continuously talking about Chinese espionage, Chinese theft, and Chinese diversion over and over again. We can’t allow this to happen.”

“America has the best semiconductors in the world and we must defend our advantage over China, which is actively working to break the law and smuggle American chips. The Chip Security Act will make it harder to steal from us, and it will protect American jobs and industry. This legislation also advances President Trump’s AI Action Plan by implementing location verification and denying our adversaries access to compute power. Thank you to Chairman Mast, Congressman Huizenga, and the House Foreign Affairs Committee for advancing this legislation,” said China Select Committee Chairman John Moolenaar.

The Chip Security Act is led in the Senate by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR).

Find out more information about the Chip Security Act, here.

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

Washington, DC – U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), released the following statement following the ribbon cutting at the University of Tennessee (UT) Medical Center clinic in Oneida, TN. 

“I have the honor and privilege of representing part of Scott County in Congress. Serving on the House Appropriations Committee allows me to secure critical funding for East Tennessee and support transformative projects like this new clinic. Improving rural healthcare remains one of my top priorities, and I’m proud to play a part in an initiative that will truly make a difference in our community,” said Rep. Fleischmann. “This new UT Medical Center clinic will expand access to specialty care for residents across Scott County, offering services in women’s health, cardiology, rheumatology, and neurology telehealth. I’m especially grateful to the UT Medical Center team for their partnership. Tennessee thrives when we work together, and I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve accomplished here in Oneida.”

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

Washington, D.C. — Reps. Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Mark Takano (CA-39), and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation to commemorate Transgender Day of Visibility on March 31st, recognize the many achievements and progress made by people in the transgender and gender non-conforming communities, and affirm their human rights. 

Rep. Pramila Jayapal, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “On Trans Day of Visibility, first and foremost, I stand with our trans loved ones. As Trump and Republicans continue their cruel and baseless attacks on the trans community, we must support our trans neighbors and work to protect their right to safety, respect, visibility, and equality under the law. Trans rights are human rights, and we must continue working to ensure that every person can live authentically as themselves. To trans people across this country: I see you, I hear you, and I will never stop fighting for you.”

Rep. Sara Jacobs, Co-Chair of the Transgender Equality Task Force, said: “Under an administration that constantly tries to make transgender and gender non-conforming people feel invisible, I am proud to celebrate Transgender Day of Visibility. We cannot and will not let their hateful attacks steal our joy. To my trans friends and family, today is a day to celebrate being out, loud, and proud. And I will not stop until everyone can live freely and without fear of expressing their true selves.” 

“As the transgender community continues to face attempts by the Trump Administration and Republicans in Congress to erase their voices, their contributions, and their existence, I am proud to work with Congresswomen Sara Jacobs and Pramila Jayapal and Senator Brian Schatz in showing the trans community that we stand with them in the fight against erasure and censorship by anti-equality extremists,” said Rep. Mark Takano, Chair of the Congressional Equality Caucus. “Transgender Day of Visibility celebrates visibility and is also an opportunity to inspire others as we work towards a United States where people of all gender identities are free to live openly and authentically. The full weight of the Congressional Equality Caucus stands behind the trans community, today and every day.”

“Trans people should be able to live freely, safely, and openly – just like everyone else. Instead, they continue to face discrimination and violence, both here at home and around the world,” said Senator Schatz. “International Transgender Day of Visibility is a chance to celebrate the trans community’s achievements and courage and renew our commitment to fighting for acceptance and equality.”

“Recognizing Trans Day of Visibility is about more than visibility—it’s about affirming that trans people belong,” said Caius Willingham, Senior Policy Analyst at Advocates for Trans Equality. “Thanks to the leadership of Congresswoman Jacobs, Senator Schatz, and Representatives Jayapal and Takano, this resolution makes clear that even in the face of growing attacks, our communities will continue to be seen, heard, and protected.” 

Issues: LGBTQIA+ Rights

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

Washington, D.C. – Representatives Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and Sara Jacobs, Ranking Member of the Africa Subcommittee, joined by other Africa Subcommittee Democrats, today sent a letter to Secretary Rubio in response to public reporting that the State Department plans to end lifesaving assistance to seven African nations — Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Malawi, Mali, Niger, Somalia, and Zimbabwe. The lawmakers argued that this would put millions of lives at risk, threaten regional stability, and undermine U.S. national security.

A PDF copy of the full letter can be found here.

“…During your testimony before the House Foreign Affairs Committee last year, you insisted that ‘no one has died’ due to the foreign aid cuts that you authorized as Secretary of State. The situation on the ground tells a different story. Life-threatening hunger, malnutrition, and disease outbreaks continue unabated, resulting in as many as 1 million preventable deaths in 2025. Further aid cuts would undoubtedly result in even more preventable deaths. In Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, and Niger, the UN estimates that 15 million people are in need of lifesaving aid.

“Foreign assistance is not merely charity, it demonstrates American leadership. It is a low-cost means of promoting peace and stability abroad while furthering U.S. national security. Nowhere is the dire impact of your foreign aid cuts clearer than in Sub-Saharan Africa. The Center for Global Development estimates that cuts to U.S. foreign assistance caused a 5 percent increase in armed conflict and conflict-related deaths in Africa in 2025. Ending humanitarian aid to Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Mali, Niger, and Somalia could result in even worse outcomes, with consequences extending far beyond their borders. It does not make the U.S. safer, stronger, or more prosperous. It only benefits Al-Qaeda, ISIS, and other extremist groups who thrive on instability, prey on the African people, and will use every opportunity to exploit your Administration’s callousness.”

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

From humble beginnings in South Texas, Dr. Garcia rose to national prominence as a civil rights leader.