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

Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO) released the following statement after President Donald Trump signed into law her Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act:

“The world is on fire, and the People’s Republic of China has made it clear they have their sights set on exerting even more power over Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific.  The United States stands with Taiwan, and we will not allow China to destabilize the world even more than they already have.  My Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act asserts American superiority at a critical time in history and is a strong step forward in our unwavering support for Taiwan as they push back against the CCP aggression and influence campaigns. This law strengthens our own national security and will help us prevent China from expanding their dangerous foothold in the region and globally.”

Background

The Taiwan Assurance Implementation Act would require the Department of State to conduct periodic reviews of its guidelines for U.S. engagement with Taiwan. These regular reviews and updates must:

1. Explain how the guidance deepens and expands United States-Taiwan relations, and reflects the value, merits, and importance of the United States-Taiwan relationship;
2. Give due consideration to the fact that Taiwan is a democratic partner and a free and open society that respects universal human rights and democratic values;
3. Ensure that the conduct of relations with Taiwan reflects the longstanding, comprehensive, and values-based relationship the United States shares with Taiwan, and contribute to the peaceful resolution of cross-Strait issues.

 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senators Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), ranking member of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, and Representatives Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.), celebrated the Senate’s recent unanimous passage of S. 3022, the Save Our Seas 2.0 Marine Debris Infrastructure Programs Reauthorization Act, which would reauthorize key Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) marine debris programs to combat the worldwide crisis of trash entering the oceans and the threat of microplastics in the water. These programs were last authorized by the 2020 Save Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act, the most comprehensive legislation ever passed by Congress to address the threat of marine debris. Reps. Carter and Bonamici have introduced companion legislation in the House.

“Clean water and a healthy ocean support every family in the country and every sector of the economy,” said Representative Bonamici. “Extending these successful EPA programs will strengthen the recycling and water systems that stop plastic at its source and support projects that clear debris that damages our shores. These tools work. They deliver cleaner recycling operations, safer drinking water systems, stronger wastewater treatment, and faster trash removal. I’m glad that the Senate advanced our bipartisan bill and look forward to its swift passage in the House to keep families and the environment healthy.”

“Alaska has more coastline than the Lower 48 states combined, which means our state feels a disproportionate impact of the global marine debris crisis,” said Senator Sullivan. “These programs, last authorized by our Save Our Seas 2.0 Act, have helped our coastal communities clean up the debris that washes up onto our vast shoreline, provided access to clean drinking water, and supported the health and livelihoods of Alaskans, including our fishermen. I want to thank all my Senate colleagues for working to protect our coastal communities, ecosystems and economies, and I urge my House colleagues to join us in renewing these critically important programs before the end of the year.”

“In the first round of grants from one of our Save Our Seas 2.0 programs, every eligible state and territory requested funding,” said Ranking Member Whitehouse.  “It is a clear demonstration of the enormous demand from both red states and blue states to address dangerous plastic pollution, and I’m pleased that the Senate has come together to reauthorize these programs. Together, we can protect our clean water and tackle the scourge of plastic waste washing up on shores from coast to coast.”

“From East to West, all Americans deserve access to clean water. Protecting our oceans, rivers, lakes, and drinking water is not a partisan issue. Reauthorizing these programs will keep trash out of U.S. waters, keep plastic out of our drinking water, and improve water systems across America. This is a must-pass bill that will make our citizens safer and help our environment thrive,” said Representative Carter. 

Programs reauthorized by the legislation include the Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling (SWIFR) grants, which support recycling and waste management efforts. The 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act appropriated $275 million for SWIFR grants from Fiscal Year 2022 to FY 2026. Alaska communities and tribes have received 17 grants totaling $24 million.

According to the Recycling Partnership, every ton of new materials recycled generates $65.23 in wages in the U.S. The nonprofit organization estimates that fully investing in residential recycling nationwide could save taxpayers $9.4 billion in landfill fees over the next five years.

Other EPA programs reauthorized in the bill include the Trash Free Waters programs, a partnership to prevent, remove, and research marine debris, as well as the Drinking Water and Wastewater Infrastructure Grant Programs.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [12/4/25] – Today Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), and James Moylan (GU-AL) introduced bipartisan legislation to shield workers from discrimination caused by AI-based hiring tools.

The No Robot Bosses Act would prohibit employers from relying exclusively on automated decision systems when making employment-related decisions, and add protections for job applicants and employees. The legislation would also require employers to train users on responsible system management and disclose when and how these systems are being used.

“As more companies rely on artificial intelligence to make hiring decisions, we must establish safeguards to protect workers from potential discrimination,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “There are numerous examples of flawed AI systems that produce biased outcomes for people of different backgrounds, especially for lower wage jobs. No one should be shut out of a future job because of a machine’s decision. We must act now to keep the doors of opportunity open to all who are seeking employment.”

“It’s the Wild West out there for AI, and Congress should not twiddle its thumbs. It’s time to take up proposals that will protect the humanity and rights of workers,” said Congressman Deluzio. “The No Robot Bosses Act would step in to put in place common-sense guardrails during the hiring, disciplinary, or firing processes, fighting back against the rising threat of misuse and abuse of AI technologies.”

“AI can improve the hiring process, but only if people can trust the systems behind it,” said Congressman Moylan. “This bill strikes the right balance by encouraging innovation while putting commonsense safeguards in place so workers aren’t disadvantaged by untested or biased algorithms. At the end of the day, human judgment still needs to guide employment decisions, ensuring that the hiring process remains rooted in transparency and accountability.”

The No Robot Bosses Act:

1. Prohibits employers from relying exclusively on an automated decision system when making employment-related decisions;
2. Requires pre-deployment and periodic testing and validation of automated decision systems for issues such as discrimination and biases before the systems are used in employment-related decisions;
3. Requires employers to train individuals or entities on the proper operation of automated decision systems;
4. Mandates that employers provide independent, human oversight of automated decision system outputs before using the outputs to aid an employment-related decision;
5. Requires timely disclosures from employers on the use of automated decision systems, the data inputs and outputs from these systems, and employee rights related to the decisions aided by these systems; and
6. Establishes the Technology and Worker Protection Division at the Department of Labor to regulate the use of automated decision systems in the workplace.

 

A summary of the legislation can be found here. The full text can be found here.

 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Suzanne Bonamici (1st District Oregon)

WASHINGTON, DC [12/3/25] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-1) introduced legislation that would grant immigrants the right to join immigration hearings virtually through video or telephone conference.

The Migrant Due Process Protection Act would allow immigrants to have their removal hearing held remotely through video or telephone conference. Currently, immigration judges have discretion to schedule a hearing in-person or virtually. But the Trump administration has been forcing immigrants to show up at court in person, pressuring judges to dismiss cases, and then violently arresting and detaining people who have their cases dismissed.

“The Trump administration’s egregious immigration enforcement tactics have put people who are legally participating in immigration proceedings at risk of detainment and arrest when they show up at court,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “These aggressive tactics are inhumane and do not make our communities safer. I’m introducing this legislation to provide immigrants with the right to have their removal hearings virtually so they can continue through the legal process while staying safe. It will also make hearings more accessible for people who face mobility and transportation challenges.”

The legislation has been endorsed by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA). It is cosponsored by Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-8), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC-AL), Dina Titus (NV-1), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), Ilhan Omar (MN-5), Andrea Salinas (OR-6), Mike Quigley (IL-5), Goldman (NY-10), Timothy M. Kennedy (NY-26), Pamila Jayapal (WA-7), and Yvette Clarke (NY-9).

The full text of the Migrant Due Process Protection Act can be found here.

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement on her vote for H.R.4405, the “Epstein Files Transparency Act”, which requires the Department of Justice to publish all unclassified materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.

“The victims of Jeffrey Epstein, their families, and the American people deserve to know the whole truth about Epstein’s heinous crimes,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Our legal system is based on transparency and accountability, and justice cannot be served in darkness. The “Epstein Files Transparency Act” is an important step to answering the questions our country has on the Epstein investigation, and I was proud to vote for their release.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement condemning the cruel and inhumane practices of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) as the agency concludes their campaign of terror against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

“Border Patrol’s operation in Charlotte-Mecklenburg was an inhumane and unnecessary campaign of terror that disrupted the lives of our entire community. Students stayed home from school, employees missed work, and businesses closed their doors to keep their employees and customers safe,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Charlotte never caved to their cruelty and fear. Citizens instead packed churches for training to empower themselves to respond to Border Patrol agents, parents banded together to safely get children to school, and business owners patrolled the streets to protect their neighbors. I’m grateful for the community’s efforts and am proud that Charlotte will always be a place that stands up for one another.”

On Friday, November 14, Congresswoman Adams sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling for an end to CBP’s unwanted operations in Charlotte.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Fair Credit for Farmers Act to strengthen financial security for agriculture producers. The bill improves access and accountability for the farm loan services offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and strengthens the borrower rights of the farmers and ranchers who provide our food, feed, and fiber.

“The Fair Credit for Farmers Act offers relief to our small, mid-sized, and family farms, allowing them to compete with the growing corporate consolidation of agriculture,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Small-scale farmers are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy but falling commodity prices, the impacts of climate change, and the Trump trade war are making it harder for these farms to stay in business. My bill reforms FSA loans, making it easier for farmers to get farm credit and removing harmful barriers that have prevented underserved farmers from receiving the support they deserve.”

“Vermont farmers are facing challenges at every turn, from brutal flooding and drought to shifting markets and rising costs caused by Trump’s reckless economic policies. Those hardships are made worse when farmers have nowhere to turn to absorb losses without risking their farms. Working to eliminate financial barriers and expand access to FSA loans is essential to ensuring farmers facing hardship can get help when they need it most,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill will reform FSA loans to better meet the needs of farmers in Vermont, North Carolina, and across the country.” 

“Independent farmers and ranchers are facing extreme, often unpredictable financial challenges, including the highest level of farm debt in history. Improving transparency and fair access to the public loans offered by FSA must be a top priority to support the hard-working farmers that put food on our tables. The improvements made through the Fair Credit for Farmers Act will support farmers in confidently sustaining and growing their businesses, and their ability to remain resilient against the unique challenges of farming,” said the National Family Farm Coalition.

“Farmers are navigating all types of uncertainty right now – whether that’s fluctuating costs and prices, changes at USDA, or increasingly frequent weather disasters.  Farmers need FSA to be a lender where they can have a fair shot at accessing credit that makes sense for their businesses, and who will work with them when they hit hard times. The Fair Credit for Farmers Act directly addresses many of the barriers we’ve seen farmers encounter as we work with them to navigate those crises,” said Margaret Krome-Lukens, RAFI Policy Co-Director.

Bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) disturbing actions in Charlotte during the agency’s “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” This is the second letter Rep. Adams sent to DHS surrounding their immigration operations in Charlotte. On Friday, November 14, Rep. Adams sent a previous letter to DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott raising concern over the impact CBP operations will have on the Charlotte community.

In her letter, Rep. Adams addressed the troubling operations of federal agents since launching their campaign in Charlotte: “Since November 15, 2025, agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have carried out what can only be described as a campaign of terror. Although this operation has been cited as targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” media reports indicate that only a small portion of those arrested have been classified as criminals. While DHS has yet to provide Congress or state and local officials with up-to-date information on these arrests, media sources have shared that more than 370 people have been arrested to date. The lack of transparency surrounding these detainments is deeply troubling, especially given reports of unjust arrests involving individuals with lawful presence in the United States.”

The letter continued by calling attention to the extreme, brutal tactics levied by immigration officials in Charlotte: “[W]e have witnessed cases of federal agents using or threatening to use excessive force against detainees and bystanders, as well as engaging in severe racial profiling. In a widely circulating video, border patrol agents were shown smashing the car window of a U.S. citizen born in Honduras, throwing him to the glass-covered ground, and detaining him after he had already identified himself as a U.S. citizen. Reports also indicate that agents have conducted arrests at integral community spaces, including places of worship, sparking tremendous fear throughout our communities.”

Rep. Adams continued by stressing the economic harm CBP’s operation has caused for Charlotte local businesses: “Because of the paralyzing fear caused by this operation, several small businesses—whose customer bases and workforces include immigrant community members—temporarily closed due to the sharp drop in customers and fear that their businesses will be subject to CBP raids if their doors remained open. The economic consequences for both Charlotte and North Carolina will be severe, as small businesses serve as one of the primary pillars of our economy.”

Rep. Adams also emphasized the impact CBP’s operation has caused for Charlotte-Mecklenburg children, impacting their academic success: “On Monday, November 17, more than 30,000 students, roughly 20% of enrolled students, in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, were reported absent.  Important academic activities, including after-school programming, are being disrupted as our students, teachers, and school staff are being traumatized by this operation.”

The letter addressed the operation’s cost to taxpayers at a time when the average American is struggling to make ends meet: “I am further concerned about the presumed excessive cost of this unnecessary operation—a cost borne by American taxpayers—despite the absence of transparent information detailing how this operation was funded. The American people deserve to know where their tax dollars were spent and why they were allocated to support a discriminatory and harmful operation rather than toward initiatives that would actually improve public safety.”

The letter concluded by saying, “This campaign of terror will have long-term and devastating effects on the Charlotte community, and North Carolina broadly. Any operation of this scale requires full transparency regarding the status of those detained, the cost of the operation, the policies governing agents’ actions, and the legal authority underpinning this raid.”

Rep. Adams called for a response to the questions listed by December 5, 2025.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

CHARLOTTE, NC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, held her fourth quarterly Adams Hunger Initiative (AHI) of 2025, bringing together 24 leaders in nutrition, hunger, farming, and food security throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

In the 4^th quarter Adams Hunger Initiative, participants discussed the state of hunger in the region, the impact of the government shutdown on their operations, and how they are working to keep the community fed during the holiday season and into 2026.

“When the federal government failed our community during the government shutdown, our feeding organizations and agriculture producers stepped up to ensure Charlotte-Mecklenburg families could put food on the table,” said Congresswoman Adams. “I’m proud to partner with these impactful groups through the Adams Hunger Initiative because of their dedication and service to our community. As food security programs face new attacks in 2026, from reduced funding to stripping away people’s access to benefits, I’m committed to supporting these organizations because they have always supported us.”

Rep. Adams led 2025’s Adams Hunger Initiative meetings at a time when agriculture and food security faced unprecedented attacks at the federal level. Changes to SNAP in the Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill could cause as many as 142,000 North Carolinians to lose SNAP benefits. Agriculture tariffs, high costs and low commodity prices, and agriculture programs eliminated by the Trump administration, including the Regional Food Business Center program, have devastated farmers and ranchers. During the government shutdown, the Trump administration’s unlawful withholding of SNAP benefits saw 34,000 12th District households go without access to this lifesaving food security program.

The Adams Hunger Initiative is a coalition of nutrition, hunger, and food security leaders in North Carolina’s 12^th Congressional District, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg County formed by Congresswoman Adams in 2015. The AHI works to promote public-private partnerships, create dialogues between elected officials and key stakeholders, draft legislation aimed at addressing hunger and food insecurity, and promote and protect critical food programs and food banks.

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

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing December as “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month”.

Impaired driving is a persistent factor in crash fatalities and injuries on U.S. roadways, accounting for 30% of roadway deaths each year on average. On average, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 42 minutes, and the average drunk driver has driven drunk 87 times before their first arrest.

“Every life lost to impaired driving is a tragedy and a preventable death. We must do more to address drunk and impaired driving and prevent repeated offenses,” said Congressman Pappas. “This month, we raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, support the prevention efforts of federal agencies and local law enforcement, and urge individuals to drive sober or make plans for a safe ride home. I’ll keep working to pass legislation that will make roads safer for everyone, including my bipartisan End DWI Act.”

Yesterday Pappas joined Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase, advocates, and law enforcement officers for a press conference on strengthening road safety and to talk about his bipartisan End Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Act, which would create a national ignition interlock standard by encouraging states to adopt mandatory first-time offender ignition interlock laws, helping reduce recidivism and improve road safety by ensuring fewer drunk drivers are on the road. Twenty-four states and D.C., including New Hampshire, already meet the standards outlined in this legislation. 

The use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) reduces recidivism by up to 70% in first-time, repeat, and high-risk offenders. Across the country, IIDs prevented 3.78 million attempts to drive drunk between 2006 and 2020, including 390,456 attempts in 2020 alone. A University of Pennsylvania study found that requiring IIDs for all drunk-driving convictions was associated with 15% fewer alcohol-involved crash deaths, compared with states with less stringent requirements. According to the study, “Interlocks are a life-saving technology that merit wider use.”

“Every year, nearly 14,000 Americans lose their lives to impaired driving,” said Congressman Mann. “During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we can increase awareness and provide more resources that reduce these tragedies and save lives. I will continue to support legislation that aims to reduce recidivism like my End DWI Act and makes our roads and passengers safer.” 

“We applaud Congressman Pappas and Congressman Mann for shining a bright spotlight on Impaired Driving Prevention Month during this higher risk December holiday season, and for championing the End DWI Act – bold action to strengthen DUI laws and save lives,” said Brandy Nannini, Board Member of the SAFE Coalition. “Drunk driving is the leading killer on America’s roads, and it is entirely preventable. As holiday celebrations begin, we ask everyone to make one simple pledge that can save lives: Plan a sober ride home. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive.”

“Every day, families lose parents, siblings, friends and loved ones to the devastating consequences of impaired driving. These tragedies are not inevitable—they are entirely preventable. Recognizing Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a critical step toward shining a light on this national crisis and mobilizing action to save lives. The National Safety Council applauds Representatives Pappas and Mann for their bipartisan leadership in championing safer roads for everyone. Together, we can turn awareness into prevention and ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost,” said Lorraine Martin, CEO, National Safety Council.

“Drunk driving kills or injures someone every 85 seconds in the U.S. Thank you Rep. Pappas and Rep. Mann for calling attention to the risks on our roads especially during the holiday season. We appreciate your commitment to ending this crime,” said Stacey D. Stewart, CEO, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).