MIL USHOR-2b Engine

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Greg Steube (FL-17)

March 20, 2026 | Press ReleasesWASHINGTON — Representatives Greg Steube (R-Fla.) and Tim Burchett (R-Tenn.) have introduced the Criminalizing Law Enforcement Access Restriction or CLEAR Act, legislation to impose enhanced penalties on rioters who obstruct federal law enforcement vehicles or weaponize civilian vehicles to attack officers. 
“Violent rioters have been allowed to obstruct law enforcement, surround officers, and use vehicles as weapons without facing the full consequences under federal law,” said Rep. Steube. “That ends now. If you go after federal law enforcement, you will be held accountable.”
“Protestors who go out of their way to make law enforcement’s job even harder, and those who put the men and women in uniform’s lives at risk, deserve to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The CLEAR Act solves that. I am proud to stand with my friend Rep. Stuebe in protecting the lives of our federal law enforcement officers.” said Rep. Burchett.
The CLEAR Act amends Section 111 of Title 18 to ensure enhanced penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment apply to individuals who use a vehicle to assault, resist, or interfere with a federal law enforcement officer, or obstruct a federal law enforcement officer operating in a vehicle.
The legislation is supported by Law Enforcement Legal Defense Fund. 
“Over the past decade, more than 120 law enforcement officers including 3 federal agents have been killed in the line-of-duty by vehicular assaults and hundreds more seriously injured. Those that seek to kill, maim, or intimidate those that protect and serve our nation and our communities deserve swift and severe justice.” —Jason Johnson, President, Law Enforcement Defense Fund
Background: Across our country, violent riots have increasingly included tactics designed to stop law enforcement from doing their jobs, including surrounding vehicles, blocking access routes, and using vehicles as weapons.
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, tens of thousands of law enforcement officers are assaulted each year. The U.S. Department of Justice has charged hundreds of individuals in recent years for assaulting or impeding federal officers during periods of unrest.
Despite existing federal penalties for assaulting officers, gaps in current law have allowed bad actors to evade consequences when obstructing law enforcement vehicles or using vehicles as weapons. The CLEAR Act closes those loopholes and ensures these actions are met with the full force of federal law.
Read the bill text here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

WASHINGTON — On Thursday, Speaker Johnson appointed DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board, which reviews nominations and recommends individuals to receive the Medal of Valor. 

“I am pleased to appoint DeSoto Parish Sheriff Jayson Richardson to the Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board,” Speaker Johnson said. “As a dedicated, trusted leader in North Louisiana, Sheriff Richardson is an excellent fit for this role, and I am confident he will be an asset to the Board and its mission of honoring the brave heroes of the public safety community.”

BACKGROUND:

The Public Safety Officer Medal of Valor Review Board is an eleven-member board appointed by the President, the Speaker and Minority Leader of the U.S. House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of the U.S. Senate. The Board, which falls under the Bureau of Justice Assistance within the U.S. Department of Justice, reviews nominations and recommends individuals for recognition of the Medal of Valor issued by the President. For more information on the Board, visit their website: Review Board | Bureau of Justice Assistance.

Sheriff Richardson has served three terms as Sheriff of DeSoto Parish and was elected in 2025 as Vice President of the Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association. In 2023, Sheriff Richardson unveiled the “Friends of the Sheriff” program, which alerts first responders if someone inside a vehicle or home has special needs. This initiative has since launched statewide. Sheriff Richardson is also a founding board member of Faith and Fostering, a faith-based organization in Northwest Louisiana aiding homeless young adults in housing and employment opportunities. He now serves as Vice President of the board.

Sheriff Richardson’s appointment to the Board has been entered into the Congressional Record of the United States House of Representatives. Click here to view his appointment. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Zoe Lofgren (D-San Jose)

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Yesterday, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) sent a letter to Department of Commerce (DOC) Secretary Howard Lutnick condemning the Department’s proposed equity stake deal with USA Rare Earth, Inc. (USAR). The terms of the agreement raise serious concerns about the influence DOC will wield over USAR under the deal. These concerns are amplified by the involvement of Cantor Fitzgerald, a financial services firm controlled by Secretary Lutnick’s sons, in a parallel transaction that saw USAR raise private capital at the behest of DOC as a condition of the government’s investment.  

“While DOC has revealed few details about the agreement, what has been publicly disclosed – primarily by the company – is highly concerning and raises alarm bells,” Ranking Member Lofgren wrote in the letter. “The negotiated terms of the deal include conditions that are deeply strange in the context of a government equity stake. Most notably, in its risk factor disclosures to the Securities and Exchange Commission, USAR disclosed that DOC will keep its full equity stake in the company even if the government subsequently backs out of the deal and withdraws its entire investment. Simultaneously, the company disclosed that one of DOC’s conditions to finalize the agreement was the execution of a private placement to raise private capital, which the company separately revealed would be led by Cantor Fitzgerald, the financial services firm formerly controlled by you and now controlled by your sons.”

“Secretary Lutnick, this USAR agreement creates conflicts of interest, blurs the line between your official responsibilities and your family interests, and appears to grant the federal government an extraordinary and even bizarre degree of leverage with which it can wield influence over a private company,” Ranking Member Lofgren continued. “How can such a lopsided power imbalance between government and private sector possibly be justified, wherein a company lies at the mercy of the Secretary of Commerce while simultaneously doing business with his sons? It cannot. DOC must explain itself immediately, and it must not finalize its investment in USA Rare Earth until it does.”

Read the letter here. 

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Mario Diaz-Balart (25th District of FLORIDA)

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee (NSRP), Rep. Mario Díaz-Balart, delivered the following opening remarks during the NSRP subcommittee field hearing on accountability and reform at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.

The proceeding, which includes bipartisan appropriations participation and Representative of the United States of America to the United Nations Michael Waltz, will examine the implementation of the FY26 NSRP bill directives aimed at advancing lasting structural reforms and strengthening oversight and effectiveness of the UN system.

The full event is available and livestreamed on the House Appropriations Committee’s YouTube channel.

Chairman Díaz-Balart’s opening remarks as prepared here and below:

“Good morning Ambassador Waltz, Members of the Subcommittee, and others who have joined us today for this critically important field hearing on accountability and reform at the United Nations. We are convened at the United States Mission to the United Nations, overlooking New York City and the UN Headquarters— a fitting vantage point to note that oversight of American tax dollars is non-negotiable.

“Over the last three fiscal years, this Subcommittee has reduced total spending under its purview by 22 percent. This includes the largest cut in the recently enacted FY 2026 NSRP Appropriations Act, which slashed 16 percent by getting rid of inefficient and ineffective programs and refocusing funding on programs that are in the direct national security interest of the United States. Funding for the United Nations was not exempt from this review, which resulted in double digit cuts and stronger requirements that demand accountability and reform on behalf of the American taxpayer.

“The hearing today is an opportunity to discuss these measures that go hand in hand with the great work Ambassador Waltz and his team have just begun to undertake with notable results. That’s what this Subcommittee, and taxpayers, will continue to demand. Results.

 “As President Trump said, the United Nations has great potential. But the President also noted the UN has not come remotely close to living up to that potential. Anyone who has followed this Subcommittee in recent years knows I could not agree more. Too often, the UN is directly at odds with America’s interests and makes a mockery of the very things it claims to support. From the Human Rights Council with many of the world’s worst offenders, to the World Health Organization’s pandering to communist China during COVID-19 while shutting out Taiwan, to Iran winning a seat on the Commission on the Status of Women while its regime brutalized women in the streets.

“Luckily President Trump and Secretary Rubio are ushering in a new era of international accountability. One that demonstrates the glaring inadequacies of the UN.

“The central problem is not the Member States but the UN structure itself. It is embedded in the UN bureaucracy, its reporting practices, its discretionary funding pipelines, and its weak culture of oversight. For too long, Administrations have relied on UN self-reporting, vague assurances, and funding without sufficient conditions. That approach has produced a system increasingly comfortable with its own brokenness.

“Let me be clear. That era is over. As long as I’m Chairman of the Subcommittee that provides the U.S. contributions to the UN, the status quo will no longer be tolerated.

“The American people have every right to expect that institutions funded with their tax dollars will support United States security, respect our allies, and operate with transparency and accountability. Too often, that is not what we see.

“The enacted fiscal year 2026 NSRP law begins to change that.

“This Subcommittee worked hard to secure tools that match the scale of the problem.

• The law cuts funding to unaccountable UN bodies and other international organizations.
• It strengthens withholdings until entities meet standards on oversight, eliminating anti-Israel bias and antisemitism, aid-diversion reporting, and terrorism vetting.
• It shifts key accountability triggers away from UN self-reporting and toward determinations by the Secretary of State.
• It strengthens Inspectors General and GAO oversight access.
• It bars funding for UNRWA and the Commission of Inquiry against Israel.
• And it provides additional leverage tied to member-state conduct, including voting patterns at the UN and the treatment of Taiwan.

“In short, Congress has now provided meaningful leverage. And there is no question in my mind that this Administration with this Ambassador before us today will use it to the fullest extent.

“Ambassador, I support an approach that treats United States funding as leverage, not tribute. That means using our contributions, our position, and our voice to press for measurable reform in budget discipline, bureaucracy, political bias, and internal oversight.

“As the landscape of world power is changing under President Trump’s bold leadership, regimes that are hellbent on the destruction of freedom and basic human dignity are on notice. From Tehran to Caracas, Havana, and Moscow, the message is getting through that the old assumptions of impunity no longer hold.

“But sadly, we have not had a UN Secretariat that has been a consistent advocate for freedom and human rights in decades. The current UN leadership, like its predecessors, is not living up to its job description, let alone the promise of the UN Charter to promote peace and security. Its shameful records on Iran and on Gaza make that clear. 

“The UN Charter speaks of peace and security. But institutions do not earn credibility by repeating their mission statements. They earn it through conduct, transparency, neutrality, and demonstrated reform. This is the expectation. It is a huge challenge and will be a difficult undertaking. Luckily, we have one of our nation’s best, brightest, and most tenacious individuals in Ambassador Waltz to get the job done.  

“Ambassador, thank you for your continued service to our country and your willingness to host the Subcommittee here today. I look forward to hearing how you intend to use the leverage this Subcommittee provided as well as other efforts underway to press for accountability and reform and meaningful results at the United Nations.”

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Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Don Beyer (D-VA)

U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), and April McClain Delaney (D-MD), today introduced the Guaranteeing and Upholding Americans’ Right to Decide Responsible AI Laws and Standards (GUARDRAILS) Act to repeal President Donald Trump’s executive order entitled “Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence,” which is designed to establish a moratorium on state-level artificial intelligence policies. This legislation would prohibit the executive order from taking effect to ensure states can enact commonsense safeguards to protect the American public in the face of rapidly evolving AI technologies. Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) is introducing companion legislation in the Senate.

President Trump’s executive order would kill responsible safety reforms without providing any federal protections or AI governance requirements to replace the state laws it seeks to preempt. This executive order was followed by the White House’s National AI Policy Framework, which reinforces the administration’s commitment to preempting state-level AI laws without the establishment of clear, enforceable guardrails to address the urgent risks posed by AI systems – in addition to attempting to limit Congressional regulatory action.

“In today’s lawless, Wild West artificial intelligence environment, states have been leading the charge to implement safeguards addressing serious risks ranging from algorithmic bias to data privacy and consumer protection. But the Trump White House aims to kill state AI laws without setting even minimally acceptable federal guardrails, exposing the American public to the growing risks accompanying completely unchecked artificial intelligence,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “Until federal action ensures safe and responsible AI development, deployment, and use, states must retain the ability to implement policies to protect the American public.”

“Embracing the amazing possibilities of AI can’t come at the cost of leaving Americans vulnerable to its profound risks, which is exactly what President Trump and Republicans are trying to do,” said Sen. Brian Schatz. “Preventing states from enacting common-sense regulation that protects people from the very real harms of AI is dangerous. Congress has a responsibility to get this technology right, but states must be allowed to act in the public interest in the meantime.”

“Republicans keep trying to strip states of the ability to enact commonsense AI safeguards—at a time when there are no meaningful federal protections in place,” said Rep. Doris Matsui.  “President Trump’s executive order is illegal coercion: it threatens states with costly lawsuits and tries to hold hostage the BEAD dollars Congress provided to connect every American to affordable broadband. As Ranking Member of the Communications and Technology Subcommittee, I won’t let the Administration weaponize broadband funding to bully states out of enforcing their AI laws. That’s why my colleagues and I are introducing this bill to repeal the order, and I will keep using every tool Congress has to stop this overreach and protect the public.”

“Congress has the responsibility to establish a national framework for AI and any attempt by Donald Trump to create laws through executive order is a sham. It is Congress’ responsibility to check this overreach of the presidency,” said Rep. Ted Lieu. “Pleased to work with my friend, Congressman Beyer, to make clear that Congress has the responsibility to create AI policy at the national level. Americans deserve a set of AI guardrails that promote responsible innovation, and doing that through Congress ensures the true interests of the American people are honored. I welcome any effort by the Administration to work with, and not around, Congress to establish a federal AI framework.”

“President Trump’s laissez-faire approach to AI regulation and trampling on states’ AI rights is incredibly dangerous for Americans’ rights and safety,” said Rep. Sara Jacobs. “Congress should be proactively creating the rules of the road to protect people while encouraging innovation – instead of taking the back seat to President Trump and his Big Tech donors. But in the meantime, we can’t wait, so I’m proud to co-lead the GUARDRAILS Act to repeal Donald Trump’s AI moratorium. We can’t let Donald Trump’s corruption stand in the way of protecting Americans and people around the world, spurring innovation, and fostering public trust.”

“I’ve built my career advocating for digital protections for our most vulnerable Americans, including children and seniors, from cyber threats like fraud, data breaches, deepfakes, and more. Businesses do better—and strive to do better—when commonsense laws are in place to guide their decisions,” said Rep. April McClain Delaney. “Trump’s Executive Order fails to recognize the important role states play in shaping the policies that drive U.S. competitiveness and innovation. It could not be more clear: the Administration is actively seeking ways to make the internet a more dangerous place.”

The legislation is cosponsored in the House by Representatives Jake Auchincloss (D-MA), Becca Balint (D-VT), Nanette Barragán (D-CA), Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), Sean Casten (D-IL), Judy Chu (D-CA), Gil Cisneros (D-CA), Angie Craig (D-MN), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), Lizzie Fletcher (D-TX), Bill Foster (D-IL), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Laura Friedman (D-CA), Ro Khanna (D-CA), John Larson (D-CT), Sarah McBride (D-DE), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Morgan McGarvey (D-KY), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Rob Menendez (D-NJ), Kelly Morrison (D-MN), Mike Quigley (D-IL), Luz Rivas (D-CA), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Mark Takano (D-CA), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Paul Tonko (D-NY), Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ), and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC).

Text of the Guaranteeing and Upholding Americans’ Right to Decide Responsible AI Laws and Standards (GUARDRAILS) Act is available here. 

Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) serves as co-Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus. He was one of a handful of members selected to serve on the bipartisan Task Force On Artificial Intelligence, convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson. He is the author of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and a lead cosponsor of the CREATE AI Act, the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act, and the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act.

Beyer previously served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman John Garamendi – Representing California’s 3rd Congressional District

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Scalise (1st District of Louisiana)

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Energy & Commerce Committee Chairman Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Chairman Brian Babin (R-Texas) released the following statement committing to act on the artificial intelligence (AI) framework released today by the Trump Administration:“AI has begun to demonstrate its potential to improve Americans’ lives. To ensure we continue to harness its potential and beat China in the global AI race, Congress must take action. Today, the Trump Administration took a critical step in releasing a framework that gives Congress a roadmap to pursue legislation that provides innovators with much-needed certainty, while protecting consumers and prioritizing kids’ online safety. House Republicans look forward to working across the aisle to enact a national framework that unleashes the full potential of AI, cements the U.S. as the global leader, and provides important protections for American families.” 

Source: United States House of Representatives – Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04)

Johnson, Scalise, Guthrie, Jordan, Babin: House Will Work to Implement National AI Framework

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09)

Expresses doubt the President will address city’s poverty, affordability, housing or workforce issues